CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Calling it an urgent challenge, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin questioned law enforcement leaders during a Judiciary Committee hearing Monday morning in Chicago on gun violence while the city has seen 700 murders so far this year.
Senator Dick Durbin said gun violence is a problem across the country, but the roughly two and half hour hearing at the Dirksen Courthouse focused on Chicago. The Democrat voiced frustration with how many inspections of licensed gun dealers the Chicago division of ATF conducted last year.
Special Agent in Charge Kristen deTenio cited several reasons for that.
"COVID restrictions in the areas, including staffing, including just overall numbers of dealers. It's important to note that Chicago, itself, is a humongous portion of our field division, and there are no federally licensed firearm dealers within Chicago," deTenio said.
"But 10 times the number of inspections in Kansas City and Dallas?" Durbin questioned.
She told Durbin her office is keeping an eye on so-called "ghost guns," the untraceable weapons Chicago police have recovered 375 of this year, compared to only two back in 2016.
Many of Senator Durbin’s questions were also about when someone buys a gun for a felon or anyone who’s not legally allowed to, calling it a bookkeeping violation.
U.S. Attorney John Lausch said his office considers it a serious violation.
"There are challenges sometimes to being able to prove those cases. Often times straw purchasing, I mean, it is making a false statement on a form," he said.
Superintendent David Brown said the release on bond of the Indiana man who bought the gun used to kill officer Ella French makes him sear with anger.
"It's the only untoward word I've had to John Lausch, which I know it's not his issue," Brown said.
ATF Special Agent in Charge Kristen deTenio told Durbin while Indiana is close, more city gun buyers go to the suburbs.
"Illinois does remain the number one source of firearms for Chicago," she said.
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