DeKalb stores temporarily halt bullet sales

By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Two DeKalb County stores won’t sell ammunition until after the Fourth of July holiday in an attempt to prevent celebratory gunfire like the shot that killed a 4-year-old boy on New Year’s Eve.

Another five stores said they will only sell to sworn police officers, county officials announced Monday.

The voluntary ammunition sales suspension is part of DeKalb’s effort to end celebratory gunfire, which is to blame for the Jan. 1 death of Marquel Peters. A bullet fired into the air came down through the roof of the Church of God of Prophecy Church on Covington Drive, striking and killing the boy.

On Monday, DeKalb launched “Marquel’s Pledge,” which includes the ammunition sales suspension and a drive to collect signatures from residents who promise not to participate in celebratory gunfire. The pledge also asks the legislature to enact stiffer penalties for anyone who fires into the air.

Currently, anyone involved in celebratory gunfire faces charges of reckless conduct or discharging a firearm, which are both misdemeanors and carry a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

“What we have right now is not enough to deter citizens,” said Rev. Lloyd Phipps, of Church of God of Prophecy Church.

Phipps, along with county Chief Executive Burrell Ellis, District Attorney Gwen Keyes Fleming, Peters’ mother and several county commissioners, signed the pledge Monday inside the church where the little boy died. A crack in the ceiling tile marks the spot where the bullet entered the roof.

“We heard lots of shots, but no one was thinking it would come through the roof,” said Nathalee Peters, the boy’s mother.

The Lithonia mother has also filmed a public service announcement the county plans to air.

“I hope a lot of people will take it seriously and stop doing it,” she said. “I think it will make a difference.”

Police said they have no suspects in Peters’ death.

County 911 records show DeKalb Police received 212 calls for reports of gunfire on New Year’s Eve. Last July 4, the county received 127 reports of gunfire.

“We get so many instances [of celebratory gunfire], that it’s not safe for our officers to go out and investigate each one,” public safety director William “Wiz” Miller said.

Moreland Pawn Shop on Custer Avenue stopped selling ammunition on Saturday. Sales resume July 5.

“I got it all wrapped up,” manager Debra Wood told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “The police informed us about it and asked us to stop selling on July 1, but we didn’t want to take a chance. Any time we need to step forward and help the community, we’re willing to.”

LG Guns on Chamblee-Tucker Road has also temporarily removed ammunition from its shelves. Candler Road Pawn Shop, The Gun Store on Buford Highway, Palmer Tactical on Northlake Parkway, Tucker Gun on Lawrenceville Highway and Lithonia Pawn on Old Covington Highway have agreed to temporarily limit ammunition sales only to police, Miller said.

Officials said DeKalb is the first community in Georgia to start such an imitative.

Phipps, who will give his sermon Sunday dressed in a “Marquel’s Pledge” T-shirt, said he will also ask other churches to sign the pledge. Residents can sign the pledge at any DeKalb police precinct, fire station, library or recreation center. It is also available at www.dekalbcountyga.gov.