Outrage over store allegedly selling BB guns to children
POINT BREEZE (WPVI) -- Protesters in Philadelphia's Point Breeze neighborhood are outraged over a corner store that they say is illegally selling BB guns to children.
"Stop selling BB guns! Stop selling BB guns!," the crowd chanted.
On Monday afternoon, a large crowd gathered outside the Point Save Supermarket at Point Breeze Avenue and Latona Street.
The protesters say the store has been selling BB guns to minors under the age of 21, which is against city ordinances.
"We don't want a child to come out here and have an incident with our police because they thought it was a real gun," said one protester on a megaphone.
The protest came together after a video went viral on social media which showed several kids with BB guns admitting they purchased them from the store.
"The store still continues to sell the BB guns even after several community organizers went to them and we feel that they are being disrespectful to the community," said Nakia Carr, protest organizer.
"It's disgusting, I mean you have a business that's selling BB guns to children and some of these children could be mistaken for having real guns and could possibly end up murdered," said Councilman Kenyatta Johnson.
Residents say almost daily they have to sweep up all the BB gun pellets that are scattered across the streets and sidewalks.
Their greatest fear is that one of the young children will end up getting hurt.
"First and foremost, its illegal but two, it's a predatory business meaning they're selling illegal BB guns to young people who go outside, use these guns and end up being murdered," said Councilman Johnson.
Protestors say they have reason to believe that other stores in the area are also doing this.
"We're gonna continue to protest each and every store in Southwest Philadelphia," said Carr.
The owner refused to talk to the media and closed the store early on Monday.
Councilman Johnson says he plans to follow up with L&I to see what, if any action can be taken against the owner.
