Supreme Court declines hearing Chicago gun sales case
The U.S. Supreme Court declined hearing a case that alleged an Indiana gun shop fueled gun violence in Chicago.
The case, Westforth Sports v. Chicago, accused an Indiana gun shop of selling firearms to “straw purchasers,” or people who buy an item to conceal the identity of someone else.
Lawyers for the city said Westforth Sports did not conduct proper background checks on firearm buyers.
“The City provided extensive allegations and evidence of Westforth’s deliberate actions to access the Illinois market by knowingly selling guns to straw purchasers,” lawyers for Chicago wrote in a brief to the court.
The lawsuit, which began in 2021, led to the eventual closure of Westforth Sports in 2023.
Lawyers for Westforth Sports argued that Chicago cannot seek to litigate against an entity that is outside of Illinois.
“Specific personal jurisdiction does not lie against an out-of-state seller of firearms when a third party transfers them of their own initiative into the forum state,” lawyers for Westforth Sports wrote.
Chicago alleged Westforth sold more than 300 guns between 2014 and 2021 to known straw buyers. The lawyers said those guns were used in homicides, shootings and assaults.
An Illinois Appeals Court ruled in favor of Chicago, finding the gun store targeted Illinois customers and regularly sold to Illinois buyers, including straw purchasers.
In a brief order, justices of the U.S. Supreme Court denied Westforth Sports’ petition to hear the case.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Executive Committee for April 9, 2026
On the road to 100 years: How the Forest Preserve District expanded
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee for April 14, 2026
Executive Committee Advances Sweeping Updates to Adult Entertainment and Wireless Facilities Ordinances
Ad-Hoc Committee: County Lowers Air Rifle Age to 13, Finds Airsoft Guns Beyond Local Regulatory Reach
Executive Committee Approves Local Fire District Appointments, Faces Pushback Over Delayed Elwood Seat
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee for April 7, 2026
Ad-Hoc Committee: County’s Lack of Home Rule Stifles Effort to Ban Kratom and Non-Nicotine Vapes
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Public Health & Safety Committee for April 2, 2026
Indiana Man Faces Federal Indictment, Potential Death Penalty for Momence Bar Owner’s Murder
Ad-Hoc Committee: New State Laws Force Shift in How Police Handle Student Cannabis and Tobacco Violations
Peotone Township Homeowner Secures Porch P&Z Variance Despite Local Objection
