Defying Chicago’s ordinance against handgun ownership, Concealed Carry, Inc., an Oak Brook gun rights organization, announced in April a plan to give away one Kel-Tec .32-caliber semiautomatic a month to a Chicago citizen. And on May 6, Concealed Carry handed out the first gun. Residents interested in winning a gun were asked to E-mail Concealed Carry’s president, John Birch, a statement explaining why they needed a gun, and Birch said he’s so far received around 30 entries, most of which have seemed sincere. The first winner, though, wasn’t picked from this pool; instead he was someone Birch knew before the contest began. The man, whom Birch wouldn’t identify, is a Hasidic Jew living in West Rogers Park. Birch says he was chosen for two reasons: “One, he would be hard for Mayor Daley to go after without paying a political price, and, two, he was willing to take the gun. With all the press, a lot of people got spooked.” Indeed, the original person slated to win, one of the Orthodox Jews shot by white supremacist Benjamin Smith in his 1999 midwest shooting spree, backed out because of the media attention. The second winner, to be announced officially at the end of May or beginning of June, is a flight attendant who did E-mail Birch her reasons for needing a gun. Below is a portion of her message as well as some other people’s entries.
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
“I feel I need a gun because three weeks ago my first child was born. I think it is the father’s responsibility to protect his family. I live in the murder capital of the country. I have a FOID and I have been trained in the use of firearms by the U.S. Army.”
Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): illustration/Mike Werner.
