Posted: 5/28/2005 9:35:00 AM EDT
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Email Alert from Springfield - May 28, 2005 ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson, from Springfield: This weekend we will see HB2414 (semi-auto and .50 cal ban - ISRA opposes), HB1098 (.50 cal ban - ISRA opposes), and SB1333. SB1333 was a shell bill that's been turned into a into a gun show bill requiring background checks that we don't support, it's without the language that will force destruction of the FTIP records after 90 days, that the bill we are supporting, SB57, does have. The current retention of the FTIP records by the Illinois State Police is a de-facto gun registration scheme. These are all in the House of Representatives. We will need calls all weekend on these very bad bills. The general assembly will be in session Sunday. Time is short so call early and often. You can find phone numbers for all Illinois Representatives and Senators on the ISRA website. Press Release - May 27, 2005 Absurd Gun Laws Leave Would-be Rescuers Helpless in Savage Wilmette Attack The ISRA issued this press release yesterday on USNewswire: It was a life and death struggle Tuesday for three Wilmette (Ill.) men who came to the rescue of a teenaged girl who was under a savage attack by a former boyfriend. The attacker, a burly ex-wrestler, allegedly ran the girl over with his pick up truck before punching and kicking her nearly lifeless. Three neighbors witnessed the attack and, upon attempting to intervene, found that they were no match for the athletic 20-year old. According to published reports, one would-be rescuer, a 69 year old man, was severely beaten while another of the men was reportedly beaten and choked by the attacker before police could step in and save him from further harm. Wilmette is one of a handful of Illinois municipalities that forbids its citizens from possessing defensive firearms. The village became the center of national controversy in late 2003 when charges were pressed against a local resident for shooting and wounding an ex-convict who had broken into his home. The homeowner was arrested for possessing the handgun that probably saved the lives of his wife and young children. This latest Wilmette incident comes at a time when the Illinois General Assembly is debating legislation that is designed to put an end to lawful civilian firearm ownership in the state. Among the bills under consideration are measures that would result in the banning and forced confiscation of most, if not all, of the lawfully acquired firearms currently owned by Illinois residents. Other gun control proposals on the docket would shut down gun shows, expose lawful gun dealers to frivolous lawsuits, and make gun owners liable for criminal acts committed with guns stolen from their homes. "We'd never advocate citizens taking the law into their own hands," commented ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson. "However, we really have to applaud the courage of those Wilmette residents who came to the aid of that young beating victim. Imagine having to watch a beautiful young woman being reduced to a bloody pulp by a crazed ex-lover and knowing that, if you step in to help, you may be beaten to death as well. Certainly, an armed citizen could have turned the tables in a hurry. But then again, in the twisted reality that is Wilmette, an armed rescuer would have wound up sitting right next to the attacker in the Wilmette lockup." The Illinois State Rifle Association is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. For over a century, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners. Web: http://www.isra.org |
Well, they come back tomorrow at 2PM, Monday and Tuesday at either 10 or 11 AM. Now that's for the house... Haven't heard anything from the children over in the Senate side, I think most are still playing in the sand box. |