JoJo's Gun and Pawn
JoJo's Gun and Pawn is a pawn shop and gun dealer located at 4612 5th Avenue South in Avonwood.
Jojo's has appeared on various lists of "internet firearms dealers." Owner Bill Dollar advertised free transfer of firearms ordered from out-of-state mail order dealers under his store's Federal Firearms License.
In August, September and October 2002, JoJo's sold 17 handguns to 3 different members of a trafficking ring which re-sold them illegally in Chicago. Several guns used in shootings in Chicago were traced back to the store. The traffickers, Rondell Jones, Joseph Murray and an accomplice, were prosecuted, but JoJo's was not. The business has since changed owners.
On November 2, 2005 customer Alethea Brewster, 24, was shot and killed in the store while handling a gun which she was considering for purchase.
References
- "Gun report criticizes Birmingham gun dealer's role in 2002 sale." (January 22, 2006) Birmingham News Breaking News. - accessed January 22, 2007
- Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence (January 2007) Shady Dealings: Illegal Gun Trafficking from Licensed Gun Dealers. (PDF) - accessed January 22, 2007
- Birmingham Police Department. (November 5, 2005) "Homicide Update". Media Release No. 314 - accessed January 22, 2007