After decades of controversy, Chuck's Gun Shop and Pistol Range in Riverdale has ceased operations, much to the relief of anti-violence advocates in Chicago. The closure of the store, which according to a 2017 gun trace report was one of two main sources of guns used in crimes across the city, has been described as a positive development for the community. A report by the Chicago Tribune confirmed the store's closure at the start of the year.
The gun shop, notorious for its alleged connection to a high number of weapons recovered from crime scenes, had faced numerous protests over the years. In a move to celebrate their retirement, the owners have left behind a sign reading, "Going fishing forever," now hanging in the window behind locked gates. However, the exact date of the shop's closure remains unclear, though a neighbor suggested to ABC7 that it has been closed for a couple of months at least.
Chuck's has a long history of community pushback, including a 2007 protest that resulted in the arrest of Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. and Rev. Michael Pfleger, the latter of whom is the senior pastor at The Faith Community of Saint Sabina. Following the news of the store's closure, Pfleger expressed his satisfaction, saying it was "great news for Chicago," as quoted in a statement obtained by WGN-TV.
