Posted on 11/15/2004 10:38:32 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
SPRINGFIELD -- Home intruders beware. The Illinois legislature is poised to allow residents the right to defend their castles.
On the second day of the fall veto session this past week, the Illinois Senate overrode Governor Rod Blagojevich’s veto of legislation allowing homeowners the right to protect their property from invasion.
Senator Ed Petka (R-Plainfield), former Will County prosecutor and initiator of SB 2165, says he is confident the veto will fly in the Illinois House as well.
“What this bill does is assure Illinois citizens that their home is still their castle,” Petka said from Springfield today. “With other legislation we’ve passed this session, potential intruders should be warned that they could be faced with potential peril.”
SB 2165 says that an individual who uses a firearm while defending his home will be allowed an affirmative defense to a charge he unlawfully possessed the firearm. The legislation was initiated after a Wilmette resident faced local city officials who charged him with using a handgun -- banned in Wilmette -- to defend his family when a burglar entered his home last year.
Petka also shepherded through the General Assembly legislation that would disallow any felon from suing a property owner if the invader suffered injuries as a result of the victim defending himself or his property with a weapon.
“As soon as the bill passes the House, we will have a ‘two-fer’ this year,” the sixteen year veteran senator said. "We’ve been able to restore some sense and sanity to our communities. Homeowners now have a right to protect their property."
Does Petka foresee any further progress for gun owners in the upcoming legislation session?
“Well, the Republicans gained one seat in the election, but the Democrats are still the party of gun control,” the sixteen year veteran legislator said. “Attorney General Lisa Madigan says she supports a state assault weapon ban, we may be dealing with that in the next session.”
The sixteen senators opposing this week's override of SB 2165 were: Collins, Cullerton, del Valle, Garrett, Hendon, Harmon, Hunter, Lightford, Link, Maloney, Martinez, Meeks, Munoz, Raoul (in place of Obama), Ronen, Schoenberg, Silverstein and President Emil Jones -- all Chicago area Democrats.
Republican Senator Martin Sandoval did not vote.
The State House is expected to vote on the veto override during the fall session as well. The override needs 71 votes to pass. SB 2165 passed the House this summer with 90 votes.
Naturally, the Liberals and RINOs will wail about how this will turn Illinois into the "wild west." And they'll just as naturally be absolutely silent when crime rates go into free fall.
I'm surprised a State that won't pass Shall Issue CCW legislation will let a man keep his home as his castle. Chalk one small step up as progress. Considering IL is a liberal cesspool, its a huge victory.
What's the difference?
I home IL Congress laughs out the state AWB. Which reminds me to call my Reps...
Glad they didn't use COMPOUND!
Lisa Madigan and Dick Daley will get their way. The Daley Machine owns Blagojevich and has IOUs on lot of the State Democrats.
I can see the EPA stepping in for using anti-freeze in the moat during the winter.
I didn't realize the IL Assembly was so anti-gun, my relatives there are big sportsmen. We've got our work cut out for us in IL.
If you can get Chicago to float away somehow, that would make things a lot easier. If it were not for Chicago, IL would have been colored Red on Nov. 2nd.
bump for a later read...
SILLY HOME-INVADING KANIGGETS!
I FART IN YOUR GENERAL DIRECTION!
On what planet is this...."Illinois"?
LOL !!!!!!!! I think FR is a giant Monty Python fan club.
Insurnace companies should take note. If this tort reform can be spread to other states then it is one liability exposure that will be eliminated from homeowner's insurance.
"Go ahead, make my day!" --Dirty Harry
BTTT!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.