Posted on 03/12/2008 7:36:00 AM PDT by KeyLargo
Thousands of gun rights activists march on state hill
Firearm owners from around Illinois rally against gun control legislation at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill., Tuesday, March 11, 2008, (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 8:16 PM CDT
By Mike Riopell mike.riopell@lee.net
SPRINGFIELD -- The issue of gun regulation excites thousands on either side of the debate, but lawmakers acknowledge political realities in Springfield mean changes in state gun laws could be tough to achieve this year.
Tuesday brought thousands of activists to the Illinois State Capitol asking lawmakers to resist putting more restrictions on gun ownership. They also called for laws that would allow private citizens to carry concealed weapons.
Dustin Meier of Decatur said he hoped the marching mass of activists got lawmakers’ attention.
“It’s kind of a visual aid,” he said.
State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, was among lawmakers addressing a crowd on the Capitol steps that was organized by the Illinois State Rifle Association.
Brady said the differing opinions among lawmakers could leave them locked in a stalemate.
“It’s not going to be an easy year,” he said.
Many lawmakers who represent areas dealing with gun violence in Chicago or other urban areas have tended in the past to propose gun control measures and oppose the idea of concealed carry.
Legislation pending in the General Assembly includes proposals for more licensing requirements and a ban on assault weapons.
At direct odds with those gun control proposals are lawmakers who represent farmers and hunters who use guns regularly.
State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, is among a handful of lawmakers pushing to give Illinoisans concealed-carry rights. Another backer of concealed weapons, state Rep. Aaron Schock, a Peoria Republican and candidate for Congress, was not on the House floor Tuesday.
“It’s an ongoing war,” Bradley said.
The “war” is complicated by Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s veto power. The Chicago Democrat favors gun control and overriding him takes a two-thirds majority of lawmakers.
Illinois State Police spokesman Scott Compton said his department has opposed concealed-carry proposals in the past because training levels required for a private citizen to use a weapon wouldn’t near the training officers get.
Compton said officers are trained on both how to use a gun, and when it’s appropriate to do so.
“It’s something we practice on a continuous basis,” he said.
A group of mostly female concealed carry supporters delivered a memo to Blagojevich’s office asking him to support it. But the governor has been a critic of concealed carry in the past.
Editorials
Take aim at guns
March 12, 2008
“A lot of political leaders have run away from the issue of gun control. Give credit to Mayor Richard Daley. He has not.
Daley has launched another push for state gun-control legislation. Some of these ideas have been introduced and sidelined repeatedly in recent years, but the mayor and his allies are back for another try. And these”
Chicago Lib-une Editorial excerpt.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/chi-0312edit1mar12,0,5599570.story
The statement concerning “training level” of police officers VS the training level of civilian concealed carry personnel shows the level of stupidity engendered by political idiots. I include the upper ranks of most police departments as political entities. I am not out and about looking for miscreants and/or conducting operations that would put me in direct jeopardy. I carry for personal protection in instances where violence forces me to protect myself and/or my family. Most politicians don’t recognize the difference because they have their protection given them.
Yes indeed. Well done!
March early and march often.
With the SCOTUS hearing next week, I'm wondering if reports like this won't be coming fast and furious. Probably should - no matter the outcome...
Most cops have to qualify once a year. i shoot more in a weekend then most cops shoot in their life. As for training I learned about deadly force in the Marne Corps.
Sorry I can’t spell this morning.
Here is a simple test: why is one an "assault weapon" and therefore banned under the now-expired federal law and one is not?
My thanks to Model1Sales.com for the hotlinks to their fine firearms.
Illinois should form a new state that doesn’t include Chicago.
Illinois should form a new state that doesn’t include “Chicago.”
Some Chicago suburbs are exploring forming their own county to get out of the Crook County stranglehold.
That's what almost ALL suburban and rural areas around the country should do.
I'd be glad to cede the city of Atlanta to the liberal wogs that run it and live in it, as long as we outside the perimeter could run our own affairs.
March early and march ARMED. If 25,000 armed citizens peacefully marched on the Illinois State Capitol then the lawmakers would pay attention and they would be powerless to do anything to the marchers. Unless they wanted to fight a civil war.
Works for me.
Gun grabbers NEVER give up the assault. Gun rights supporters are nearly always on the defensive. It's time that the NRA, the GOA, and the smaller groups start getting OFFENSIVE and mobilize the masses (us) to work toward rolling back existing gun laws that infringe on our clearly defined right.
That’s a big truth. Most civillian shooters spend a lot more time at the range than cops. Many join tactical shooting groups where you actually do practice on moving targets, targets coming towards you, you taking cover behind structures and getting through a course, firing at different stages.
This is the most practical way to train. Stationary paper targets are fine, but you aren’t going to be firing like that in real life with people moving and such.
Big bump to the Illinois State Rifle Association for organizing this! Kudos are in order.
My 15 year old grandson has had more training than many cops!
My 15 year old grandson has had more training than many cops!
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