Appeals court rejects gun store license revocation

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SHAWANO, Wis. (AP) — A federal appeals court ruling clears the way for federal officials to stop sales at Shawano Gun & Loan.

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago Tuesday rejected an appeal by the gun store which lost its license in 2007. Federal regulators allowed the store to continue to sell guns while it appealed the revocation, but changed course last year and ordered the store to cease sales.

According to court records, the store’s license was pulled for repeatedly failing to keep accurate records. It was also suspected of making straw gun sales. The business could appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, sell the store or liquidate and close.

The Journal Sentinel says the store’s owner, Timothy Backes, has told investigators he plans to transfer the store to his nephew, which could erase earlier violations if the nephew gets a new license.

Information from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, http://www.jsonline.com