Doh! Kinda seems like there might be a better way to secure these weapons. Just sayin.


On the south side of Chicago, in one of the city's most dangerous neighborhoods, brazen criminals occasionally hit the gangster’s jackpot: they loot freight containers carrying shiny, new guns.

The guns – boxes and boxes of them – are part of shipments that are destined for gun companies or gun shops across the country. But as gangsters have caught on to the practice, they are ransacking these trains and stealing weapons that eventually make their way to the city’s blood-soaked streets.

"Any time you have individuals who can go in and steal guns from a train, that makes the environment very toxic," said Pastor Cory Brooks, who leads a church around the corner from the freight yard.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said that since 2013, more than 150 firearms have been reported stolen from freight trains. An Associated Press investigation revealed that some were traced to violent crimes and only 16 were recovered.

In a city already reeling from one of the most violent crime waves in years, where tens of thousands of firearms are recovered from the streets every year, 150 stolen guns might not seem like a big deal. But one single gun can be linked to at least 14 fatal shootings, according to the ATF.

"How in the world are these kids getting these guns? I see them on Facebook. Everybody got guns. They can't go purchase a gun, so where are they getting them from?" said city alderwoman Emma Mitts of the 37th Ward.

In one instance, thieves stole more than 100 new Ruger handguns described as "pretty" in comparison to the shoddy, makeshift guns criminals in Chicago’s rough streets often use.

Chicago police officer investigate a crime scene of a gunshot victim in Chicago, Illinois, United States, July 5, 2015. Extra police patrols and long shifts were not enough to prevent nine deaths and about 50 injuries from gun violence in Chicago over the Fourth of July weekend, when homicides jump almost every year. Chicago, with 2.7 million people, is the most violent large city in the United States, with poverty, segregation, dozens of small street gangs, and a pervasive gun culture all contributing to the problem.

Brooks and Mitts both partially blame Norfolk Southern, the rail yard, saying it could easily beef up security to protect the sitting freight on its tracks. They said the company needs to do something before the weapons get in the hands of more dangerous criminals.

"We need to be concerned about terrorists who could get into these areas unprotected here and steal things and explosives and really hurt our communities," Brooks said.

Norfolk Southern told Fox News that it's fully liable for any stolen property. The company said it takes the issue seriously, working with all law levels of law enforcement and recently increasing security around its tracks.

"While we can’t discuss the specifics of the ongoing investigations, we are taking significant steps to evaluate and adapt our security protocols, prevent criminal trespass and address community concerns," Norfolk Southern spokeswoman Susan Terpay wrote in an email.

While working on this story, Fox News noticed a very responsive presence of security near the train yard.

"Norfolk Southern’s Chicago-based police department, the largest freight railroad law enforcement force in the city, is increasing patrols of rail yards using uniformed officers in marked cars and K-9 units,” Terpay wrote. “In addition, the department is conducting undercover surveillance investigations."

The company is hoping that beefed-up security at the rail yard would appease neighbors trying to keep guns out criminal hands in one of America's deadliest communities.

"It only compounds that damage being done to our city,” Brooks said, “and it only hurts the individuals who are trying to live here and have a safe environment."



http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017...illed-with-guns.html

This is a non-story. "Over 150" stolen guns since 2013? Guns with known serial numbers at that. Compare that to the number of guns likely stolen in Chicago on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, many of which go unreported and more the owners do not have serial numbers for. The article starts out making it sound like bands of armed gang members are hijacking trains for crates and crates full of guns, but that simply is not what is going on

quote:

Originally posted by Sigmanic:
"How in the world are these kids getting these guns? I see them on Facebook. Everybody got guns. They can't go purchase a gun, so where are they getting them from?" said city alderwoman Emma Mitts of the 37th Ward.

Did dumb ass just indirectly admit that laws do not prevent criminals from acquiring guns?

They must have Memphis connections. This has happened here several times.

Who the hell ships guns via rail? I call BS on this story.

The railroads do it all the time.

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:

quote:

Originally posted by Sigmanic:
"How in the world are these kids getting these guns? I see them on Facebook. Everybody got guns. They can't go purchase a gun, so where are they getting them from?" said city alderwoman Emma Mitts of the 37th Ward.

Did dumb ass just indirectly admit that laws do not prevent criminals from acquiring guns?

I know Emma. I worked with her on problems on the west side . She is shall we say " unique".

quote:

Originally posted by Graniteguy:
Who the hell ships guns via rail? I call BS on this story.

These thefts have happen a few times in the Chicago rail yards over the last few years....almost like they have inside information on which rail car is loaded with weapons.

How do you think large shipments are made? How do you think those pallets of guns that manufacturers show videos and pictures of in their warehouse get to the local Bass Pro Shop? Distribution for most items is by train to a regional distribution center and then by truck to the local stores.

What is the difference between the South and West sides of Chicago versus Chernobyl?

Chernobyl is getting better.

quote:

Originally posted by jsbcody:

These thefts have happen a few times in the Chicago rail yards over the last few years....almost like they have inside information on which rail car is loaded with weapons.

It's amazing how on a train carrying 200-250 containers the only one broken into is the container carrying the new Xbox, or new Jordans, or new *insert hot Christmas toy here*.

quote:

Originally posted by olfuzzy:
They must have Memphis connections. This has happened here several times.

Memphis is a hotspot for this type of thing, be it guns, electronics, etc. Same goes for the areas east of the LA ports. Big business in ripping off a container shipment from a train parked in the CA desert.

Just label the railcar "job applications ".

quote:

Originally posted by jsbcody:....
These thefts have happen a few times in the Chicago rail yards over the last few years....almost like they have inside information on which rail car is loaded with weapons....

That was my first thought, someone on the inside. Then I thought they should hire TSA agents to provide security (thefts would probably increase )

It would seem that if a vertical steel wall were mounted at the end of the car that is carrying the containerized merchandise, opening doors would be impossible without removing the container from the train.

Similarly, if two 20' containers were used (instead of a 40' one) and the doors were facing against doors, again easy access would be denied.

If all containers were shipped as suggested above then identifying "preferred" merchandise would indeed be a guessing game.