CHICAGO (AP) -- A gun dealer has agreed to testify in the city's $433
million lawsuit that accuses the firearms industry of flooding the streets
with weapons deliberately marketed to criminals.
Robert Taborden is the owner of Bob's Sports Headquarters in Justice,
Ill., and is the first of 40 gun dealers and makers named in the suit to
settle. He also agreed to cooperate in an investigation of the gun
industry.
In return, the city and Cook County will drop all claims for monetary
damages against Taborden and his business, said Jennifer Hoyle, a
spokeswoman for the city's law department.
``We now have a witness who can give us an insider's account of the manner
in which this industry knowingly markets illegal firearms in Chicago,''
plaintiff's lawyer Brian Crowe said Tuesday. ``This will strengthen our
case immeasurably.''
Stanley Jakala, an attorney representing Taborden, said the settlement was
his client's most reasonable option.
``Just look at the damage claim. He was facing a monumental damage
claim,'' he said.
million lawsuit that accuses the firearms industry of flooding the streets
with weapons deliberately marketed to criminals.
Robert Taborden is the owner of Bob's Sports Headquarters in Justice,
Ill., and is the first of 40 gun dealers and makers named in the suit to
settle. He also agreed to cooperate in an investigation of the gun
industry.
In return, the city and Cook County will drop all claims for monetary
damages against Taborden and his business, said Jennifer Hoyle, a
spokeswoman for the city's law department.
``We now have a witness who can give us an insider's account of the manner
in which this industry knowingly markets illegal firearms in Chicago,''
plaintiff's lawyer Brian Crowe said Tuesday. ``This will strengthen our
case immeasurably.''
Stanley Jakala, an attorney representing Taborden, said the settlement was
his client's most reasonable option.
``Just look at the damage claim. He was facing a monumental damage
claim,'' he said.