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Since the Philadelphia Gun Violence Task Force launched four years ago to reduce the number of illegal guns on the streets, 504 arrests have been made, 972 firearms have been seized and 320 individuals have been convicted of gun trafficking offenses, according to an Oct. 14 press release released by the District Attorney’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office.
Convicted felon Sipho Say, 30, of the 700 block of Sigel Street, allegedly falsified forms to purchase a 9mm gun, but when denied, Ruary Kert, 24, of the 1600 block of South Lawrence Street is believed to have attempted to purchase it for Say.
Edward Blackburn, 22, of the 2700 block of South 10th Street is prohibited from buying a gun, but allegedly tried to purchase one in the city. When the sale was denied, his wife Renatta Blackburn, 22, of the same block, is believed to have purchased the same firearm in Bucks County the following day. The gun was recovered from the couple’s home.
All four were charged with illegal transfer of firearms, tampering with public records, unsworn falsification and conspiracy.
Contact Staff Writer Amanda Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
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