CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Financial experts say many Americans are using their federal government stimulus money to pay bills or are just putting it in the bank, but others are using it in a different way. One report said some are buying guns - both legally and illegally.
Illinois saw a sharp increase in legal gun sales last year and that has not led up. Some gun shop owners said some people have been using stimulus money to arm themselves; and the Sun-Times reported stimulus money is also fueling illegal sales.
The Sun-Times quoted a man only identified as a 25-year-old convicted felon in West Garfield Park, who said he did just that - used some of his coronavirus stimulus money to buy a gun on the street.
“You gotta do what you gotta do to stay safe out here,” said the man, speaking on the condition his name not be used.
Activists who work to head off violence on the street back what he said.
“Yes, people are using money they are receiving from COVID-19 resources to buy firearms,” Tio Hardiman, executive director of Violence Interrupters, told the Sun-Times. “We hear stories about people selling semi-automatics out of shopping bags these days.”
It is reported that prices have increased on the street, as well. A Glock pistol that once sold for $500 a few years ago is now going for more than $700.
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