Feds Pull License from Upper Darby Gun Shop

UPPER DARBY, Pa. - July 31, 2006 (WPVI) -- With homicides on the rise in Philadelphia, the ATF took a rare step Monday and revoked the federal firearms license of a notorious local gun dealer.

The ATF has stripped Lou's Loans of its federal license to sell guns. Gun control advocates and law enforcement officers say this store is responsible for selling the guns used in hundreds of serious crimes including the murder of a Philadelphia police officer. A gun from Lou's is even linked to a co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

From the outside, Lou's Loans looks like a simple pawnshop, but Upper Darby police superintendent Mike Chitwood says for years this has been THE place in the Delaware Valley for criminals to get a gun. Supt. Mike Chitwood/UPPER DARBY POLICE: "This is a hub. When I say gun central America, I am not kidding. This is probably one of the worst locations in America." Federal law prohibits the ATF from discussing its specific reasons for revoking Lou's firearms license. But Philadelphia police say from 2003 and 2005 the store sold the guns used in 19 homicides and 65 aggravated assaults. In 1996, officer Lauretha Vaird was killed responding to a bank robbery in north Philadelphia. Police say the gun used came from Lou's loans. Captain Ben Naish/PHILADELPHIA POLICE: "We know that's a place where guns are obtained. Used against Philadelphia police, so we're glad to see the place shut down." In July of 2004, 14-year-old Anthony Oliver was shot and killed in Wynnefield. The gun control group, The Brady Campaign, is now suing the store on behalf of Oliver's family claiming the gun used was bought the way many are allegedly obtained from Lou's through a straw purchaser (someone who legally buys a large number of guns then re-sells them).

The Brady Campaign says Lou's Loans lost its license as a result of 239 violations of federal gun laws including straw sales purchases, illegal purchases, and selling multiple guns to a person without notification. Anita Powers, founder of Mothers Opposed to Murders, fought to get gun sales stopped at Lou's Loans. Anita Powers/GUN CONTROL ADVOCATE: "I am very happy because the sale of guns is just out of control." Action News spoke to the store's owner, Stanton Myerson, and his attorney. They claim that Myerson voluntarily gave up his federal firearms license because he's retiring. The ATF says not true that Myerson has yet to hand in his original license or hand over his records.

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