Wow. I wonder if the high rates of lead poisoning in Chicago have anything to do with that stat.

Based on those figures, more than 10 percent of young children tested in the city had troublesome lead levels that year — about four times the national average.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/investigations/ct-lead-poison...

That is a jaw drop statistic. This is just insane.

Chicago uses ShotSpotter, a system that uses microphones to triangulate gun shots. They claim to be able to differentiate between fireworks and gun fire, but I wonder if the sheer volume of fireworks on the 4th makes it the ideal time for a shooting spree.

https://www.shotspotter.com/news/how-does-shotspotter-differ...

And the most strictest gun laws

Strict local gun laws in the United States is a like having a "no peeing" section in a pool.

I don't think that's true.

I've lived in rural states all my life. Almost all my family and friends have guns. (Hunting is a big hobby.)

I have never known anyone that shot a person. I've never had a relative or friend get shot (except one cousin who unfortunately purposefully shot himself.)

In other words, the number of guns don't cause crime.

Why take away cars from everybody because some people drive drunk? No? Why take away guns from people who use them responsibly?

"Welcome to our OOL!"

Guns are illegal in Chicago too.

Guns are legal everywhere around Chicago including all neighboring states which have much weaker gun laws than Illinois.

As far as I'm aware, you can't buy a gun from an FFL (a gun store, or anyone whose business involves selling guns) in a neighboring state without presenting an Illinois Firearms Owner Identification card. And most (all?) gun stores will refuse to sell you a gun that they know would be illegal in Illinois if you live there.

Most of the guns used in crimes in Chicago are illegally owned handguns, acquired through straw purchases and theft. Handguns that are legal to own in Illinois, even.

Light firearms are probably easier to manufacture than pellet rifles. You're kidding yourself if you think they won't start making them.

You don't think people who are willing to break the law this way won't just manufacture them?

Are you comparing driving to another state to buy a gun with manufacturing a gun?

I'm comparing driving to another state to driving to an illicit gun smith.

I'm not sure precisely what you're trying to say here - but my intuition is that you're saying "people will illicitly manufacture guns in Illinois and people will patronize them rather than drive over to another state to purchase guns."

If that is what you're saying (and please, clarify if it's not!) - it's worth knowing that both Wisconsin and Indiana are a 90 minute drive from Chicago city limits, so any illicit manufacturing has to compete with the ease of a relatively short drive to purchase in another state.

I think sometimes people forget just how close Chicago is to other states.

An Illinois resident cannot legally buy a gun in another state without shipping it to a FFL in Illinois and getting a background check done there before taking possession.

So the argument that Chicago residents can skirt gun control laws by crossing state lines is false.

No. "The only reason people aren't manufacturing guns illicitly in Illinois right now is because it's easier to drive to the next state" is a little closer.

Plenty of handguns, shotguns, and lever and bolt action rifles are legal to own in Chicago.

I'm convinced Chicago is unfixable. The south side has been so poor for so long it's basically a third world country.

The best solution is a planned dismantlement of the irredeemable parts of the city. And relocate those people somewhere they stand a chance of finding a job.

When rust belt manufacturing died Chicago had no jobs for a million people. And in 60 years the situation hasn't changed much

I enjoy the nickname Chiraq (as in Ch-Iraq). I've had French acquintances perplexed by this term, because there's been a French president called Jacques Chirac (pronounced the same way).

Not quite the same. The French 'i' is an 'ee' sound.

Chiraq isn't an insult, that's what people living there call it.

Chiraq is calling Chicago a warzone. I never thought it was an insult.

No we don't, 99.9% of Chicagoans aren't drill rappers.

Hahaha. I lived there and we called it that all the time. More common among friends living on south side tho

I live on the southside and I don't hear anyone calling it Chiraq.