Supreme Court declines hearing Chicago gun sales case
The U.S. Supreme Court declined hearing a case that alleged an Indiana gun shop fueled gun violence in Chicago.
The case, Westforth Sports v. Chicago, accused an Indiana gun shop of selling firearms to “straw purchasers,” or people who buy an item to conceal the identity of someone else.
Lawyers for the city said Westforth Sports did not conduct proper background checks on firearm buyers.
“The City provided extensive allegations and evidence of Westforth’s deliberate actions to access the Illinois market by knowingly selling guns to straw purchasers,” lawyers for Chicago wrote in a brief to the court.
The lawsuit, which began in 2021, led to the eventual closure of Westforth Sports in 2023.
Lawyers for Westforth Sports argued that Chicago cannot seek to litigate against an entity that is outside of Illinois.
“Specific personal jurisdiction does not lie against an out-of-state seller of firearms when a third party transfers them of their own initiative into the forum state,” lawyers for Westforth Sports wrote.
Chicago alleged Westforth sold more than 300 guns between 2014 and 2021 to known straw buyers. The lawyers said those guns were used in homicides, shootings and assaults.
An Illinois Appeals Court ruled in favor of Chicago, finding the gun store targeted Illinois customers and regularly sold to Illinois buyers, including straw purchasers.
In a brief order, justices of the U.S. Supreme Court denied Westforth Sports’ petition to hear the case.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Trump issues threat to Iran ahead of deadline to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Trump gives Iran 48 hours to reopen Strait of Hormuz
One year later, analysts say strategic trade preferred over tariffs
Lawmaker criticizes surplus spending bill
Student suspended for pro-ICE flyer while NEA spends $1.7M to help anti-ICE protests
Joyride Derails Initial Beecher Fourth of July Raffle Car Bid, Board Approves Backup Vehicle
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Washington Township Board of Trustees for February 2, 2026
Salvation Army rehab ‘enrollees’ who work at thrift stores aren’t ‘employees’
Evers vetoes bills to exempt overtime, cash tips from income tax
Illinois housing affordability efforts pit tax cuts against new spending
Report: AAMC’s claims that patients are better treated by doctor of same race debunked
Coloradans react to ruling against ban on conversion therapy
