Gun dealer end sales after girl's death

WTNH-TV, New Haven ^ | September 4, 2003 | Staff

[LurkedLongEnough]

(Branford-AP, Sept. 4, 2003 7:50 AM) _ A Branford gun dealer has followed through on a promise to stop selling guns in the wake of the shooting death of a young girl.

Thomas Imperati says guns are not for sale at his business, Tommy Gun Choppers on West Main Street.

He pledge to end gun sales after a rifle he sold to a Branford woman was used to killed the woman's seven-year-old daughter earlier this year.

Five months ago today, Jennifer O'Connor allegedly used the rifle to shoot her daughter, Sara O'Connor, as the girl was sleeping.

The girl died three days later.

Imperati publicly vowed to quit the gun-selling business. He has since locked up his remaining in-store stock 17 rifles and shotguns. He had been a gun dealer since 1985.

Jennifer O'Connor has pleaded innocent to the murder charges. She is receiving mental health treatment at York Correctional Institute in East Lyme while her case is pending in court.

[Eaker]

What an idiot ping!!

[LurkedLongEnough]

Very sad this happened.

What is the message of this article? ...blame guns? blame Arnold? (Terminator movies & Sarah Connor connection?)

Just pitiful, capitalizing on a sick crime to shame gun business owners.

[Richard-SIA]

Gee, and the FACT that if he was in business that long guns he sold undoubtedly SAVED several lives means nothing?

Which bunch of anti's manipulated him into making this stupid decision?

The number of guns used to commit crimes is a small fraction of the guns that are used to PREVENT crimes!
So by ceasisng operation he is actually ensureing that there will be MORE victims overall.

[Richard Kimball]

And I think every car dealer should close their doors if one of their cars is involved in a fatal accident.

[Klickitat]

WLIB-TV, Bunksville

Springfield-TP, Sept. 4, 2003 7:50 AM) _ A Bunksville car dealer has followed through on a promise to stop selling cars in the wake of the car death of a young girl.

Dick Imperial says cars are not for sale at his business, Dicky's Wheels on West Main Street.

He pledge to end car sales after a Dodge Intrepid he sold to a Bunksville woman was used to killed the woman's seven-year-old daughter earlier this year.

Five months ago today, J. Doe allegedly used the car to run down her daughter , as the girl was playing in the driveway.

The girl died three days later.

Imperial publicly vowed to quit the car-selling business. He has since locked up his remaining in-store stock of cars. He had been a car dealer since 1985.

[vpintheak]

This is a sad turn of events, but unfortunately this will just fuel the fire of the anti-gun fascists. My guess is that the owner didn't really want to sell guns anyway and used this for an excuse.

[B Knotts]

He has since locked up his remaining in-store stock 17 rifles and shotguns.

Sounds like a high-volume operation.

[Joe Brower]

[ChuteTheMall GawdSortaMount]

I don't know anyone who owns less than 17 guns.

[TigersEye]

Stupid!

[freekitty]

This is stupid.

[Soliv123]

Any time a child dies needlessly, it is a very very sad day. One of my childhood friends died from a motorcycle wreck. I always look out for motorcycle riders. Another one of my friends was shot by an 8th grader. I keep hoping that the adults will explain to never point the gun in a line of sight which will cross another person's body. Freedom and responsible behavior go hand in hand. They need each other.

[TigersEye]

Todally stupid! Richard nailed it in post #4.