NRA Challenges Illinois Semi-Automatic Gun ReferendumFAIRFAX, VA -- The National Rifle Association is backing a protest filed with the Electoral Board in Cook County, Illinois, in response to a petition to ban the sale of semi-automatic firearms across the state. The petition asks, “Shall the Governor and the members of the Illinois General Assembly enact legislation to ban the sale of semi-automatic and assault weapons that are used by criminals to threaten the lives of law enforcement and the people of Illinois?”
The petition is aimed at creating a referendum on the county's November ballot to prevent citizens of Illinois from being able to purchase semi-automatic firearms, which are the firearms most commonly bought for self-protection today. NRA member Selvin Morgan, a resident of Cook County, has filed an objection to this petition, and the NRA is supporting him in this effort. “The NRA will fight this and any other attempt to restrict the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA-ILA chief lobbyist. “Semi-automatic firearms have been around for 125 years and are used everywhere in America for self-defense, competitive shooting at all levels and hunting. Banning the sale of these commonly owned firearms will do nothing to curb crime, because criminals pay no attention to the law.”
Although the names, addresses and signatures of more than 83,000 Cook County residents are required in order for the question raised by the petition to make it onto the ballot, the petitioner has gathered and submitted information for only approximately 2,500 people -- many of whom are lacking valid names, addresses and signatures.
This petition and Mr. Morgan’s protest to the petition will be the subject of a hearing before the Cook County Electoral Board in the coming weeks. At that time, NRA will assist Mr. Morgan in asking that this referendum be stricken from the ballot.
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/nra-challenges-illinois-semi-automatic-gun-referendum Governor Quinn Steps Up Attacks On Law-Abiding Firearm Owners CHICAGO, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the ISRA Political Victory Fund (ISRA-PVF):
Law-abiding Illinois firearm owners are under a renewed attack by Gov. Pat Quinn's re-election campaign. After receiving the endorsement of a radical gun control group last week, Quinn's campaign is now the apparent mastermind of a plan to place a referendum on the November ballot that would call for the banning of a wide variety of popular hunting and target firearms.
Petition documents filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections show the title of the proposed referendum as being "Petition to Ban the Sale on Semi-Automatic and Assault Weapons." Notarized signatures on over 100 pages of petitions show one "Maz Jackson" as being the petition circulator. Maz Jackson is a top field operative for the Quinn gubernatorial re-election campaign.
"It appears that Pat Quinn plans to attack hunters and sportsmen from every angle," commented ISRA-PVF spokesman, Richard Pearson. "First he throws in with the likes of gun control extremists Jim and Sarah Brady, and now his campaign staff is circulating petitions seeking to ban most of the privately owned firearms in the state.
Once again, Pat Quinn has shown himself to be more in step with Mayor Daley and the Chicago power structure than he is with the vast majority of Illinois citizens."emphasis added http://www.isra.org/ Gun Control Group Endorses Pat Quinn For Illinois GovernorAugust 9, 2010 by Personal Liberty News DeskStill lagging in the polls, Democratic Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has picked up an endorsement from a radical gun control organization.
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (BCPGV) is lending its support in recognition of Quinn’s tougher stance on the issue than that of his Republican opponent, State Senator Bill Brady, according to The Associated Press (AP).
“
is someone who is taking the attitude that more guns in more places is somehow going to make us safer. That makes no sense at all," said Paul Helmke, president of the Washington, D.C.-based organization, quoted by the news provider.
http://www.personalliberty.com/news/gun-control-group-endorses-pat-quinn-for-illinois-governor-19919569/ Brady Campaign Endorses Governor Pat Quinn in IllinoisAug 3, 2010Washington, D.C. - The national Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, represented by its President, Paul Helmke, today joined with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn in Chicago’s Ogden Park to endorse Governor Quinn for election to a full term as Illinois Governor and to urge Illinois voters who want to fight gun violence to support Quinn.
“In less than two years on the job, Governor Quinn has already taken strong stances on preventing gun violence in Illinois and he supports legislation to make it harder for dangerous people to get dangerous weapons,” said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign. “We want the people of Illinois to know that there is a clear choice in this election - a choice between a Governor who wants to fight the gun violence problems that have caused so much suffering in the state and a challenger who has voted consistently with the gun lobby.”
Gov. Quinn recently formed the Illinois Anti-Violence Commission to bring a grassroots, community-based approach to confronting the deadly violence facing many Illinois communities. He has also signed into law two measures to enhance public safety: one to protect railroad shipments of firearms and other weapons that may be targeted by gangs, and the other requiring a mandatory one- to three-year prison sentence for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon without an Illinois firearm registration card.
Gov. Quinn’s opponent, State Sen. Bill Brady, in contrast, has sided with the gun lobby by voting against banning large capacity ammunition magazines and supporting bills to make it easier to carry loaded, concealed handguns in public.
“Governor Quinn and State Senator Brady bring very different agendas to the issue of gun violence prevention,” Helmke said. “Voters in Chicago and throughout Illinois should know that Sen. Brady voted to allow access to high capacity ammunition magazines that can hold 30, 50 and even 75 bullets. These magazines are used in military-style assault weapons to kill a lot people in a short amount of time.” In 2008, Sen. Brady received an A rating from the NRA as well as their endorsement.
“On common sense gun laws, Governor Quinn truly represents the vast majority of Illinois citizens,” Helmke said, “and he will be a strong voice for reducing gun violence in the years to come if he is returned to the Governor’s office.”
http://www.bradycampaign.org/media/press/view/1275/ I thank God that I don't live under King Daley's rule. (I often wonder why I have more firearms rights than those in some states and cities. I won't want to be a second class citizen like those in Chicago.)
I am what's called a "wheel gunner" as I prefer revolvers for self defense. I believe in the KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid). To be fair, I have to admit that I am a little behind the times. While revolvers are extremely reliable, recently manufactured semi-auto pistols are also almost as reliable. Many people that I know prefer to use a semi-auto handgun for self defense. The choice should be up the the individual and whatever he/she is most comfortable with is important for accuracy and effectiveness.
I attempted to include both viewpoints on the issue to foster discussion. While I disagree with the majority of the viewpoints the Brady Campaign exposes, many on this forum favor them over the NRA or other pro-RKBA organizations.
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