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Chicago Moves To Ban Gun-Shaped Cellphone Cases

By Ted Cox | July 13, 2015 10:36am

CITY HALL — After decades of fighting-concealed carry and other pro-gun policies, Chicago alderman are taking on a new trend: gun-shaped cellphone cases. 

"Whether this case is sticking out of your pocket, or being held in your hand, it could be confused by law enforcement officials as a firearm," said Ald. Edward Burke (14th) in a news release issued Monday.

He called the cases "a threat to public safety" and said they would "almost certainly lead to a tragic event."

Gun-shaped cellphone cases could lead to a deadly encounter, an alderman warned.

Chicago Police Department union leader Dean Angelo, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, immediately backed the proposed ban.

"I don't see these novelties being anything but dangerous," Angelo said. "The only thing you see when someone is carrying this in their waistband is what seems to be a weapon, which is going to put an officer on a heightened level of self-protection.

"If I were on the street and approached an individual with one of these in their waistband or pocket, my weapon would be out," he added. "I would not take the chance that this is not a real gun."

Google searches turn up the gun-shaped cases under brand names like Raytop and L-luck, but Amazon appears to have yanked them from its online sales.

Minnesota lawmakers are moving to ban the cases as well, and New York lawmakers called them "a disaster waiting to happen.''

Other items featuring realistic-looking guns have caused a stir nationwide. In Colorado, a man started selling shirts that had gun holsters printed on them. The shirts come with instructions on how to behave if stopped by police officers. Their website also comes with a warning:

Guns have appeared in high-end fashion boutiques as well. Vlieger and Vandam's Guardian Angel clutch sells for $279. Knockoffs of the purse were pulled from store shelves in New York this spring:

Burke said he plans to submit his resolution at a meeting of the Finance Committee that he chairs before the July City Council meeting later this month. It would ban the cellphone cases, as well as other products like lighters and cameras designed to look like guns, and would set a fine of $750 per offense.

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