BY CHERYL V. JACKSON Staff Reporter
Gov. Blagojevich will sign legislation that lowers to 18 the minimum age to own a gun in Illinois without parental consent, but his spokeswoman told the Chicago Sun-Times on Saturday he is vowing to veto two other bills that ease local gun laws.
One bill would allow a self-defense claim to override municipal handgun bans. The other would allow retired police officers and former military police officers to carry concealed weapons.
"He's putting the General Assembly on notice that if these two bills were to reach his desk, that he would veto these two bills," spokeswoman Cheryle Jackson said. "They're nothing more than Trojan horses to turn Illinois into a conceal-and-carry state."
The Illinois Senate on Friday approved the bill to allow the retired officers to carry concealed guns. That bill is now pending in the House. Earlier in the week, the House and Senate passed National Rifle Association-backed bills that would allow people who break local gun laws to avoid fines if the gun is used in self-defense.
They were inspired by Hale DeMar, who in December shot a man who broke into his Wilmette home two nights in a row. DeMar was cited for violating Wilmette's handgun ban.
The bill Blagojevich will support would lower the age from 21 to 18 to obtain a gun owner's permit without parental consent. The bill was passed in the Senate last week. A similar bill was also passed in the House.
Eighteen-year-olds can currently get the permits if they have their parents' consent and pass a background check, Jackson said.
"If they can make good judgments and protect our liberties on the battlefield, then I think we can trust them to use legally licensed firearms when they're out hunting," Jackson said.
A separate state law still bars people under 21 from buying handguns. The bill the governor supports would not change that. That means 18-year-olds could get a permit without their parents' consent, and legally borrow or inherit a handgun, critics say.
Blagojevich's decision could help him walk the line between those calling for easing of gun restrictions and those who want laws to stay in place.
While in Congress, he pushed for tougher gun control laws, which put him in line with Chicago lawmakers but might have hurt him Downstate, where there is more support for easing gun laws.
"Illinois is a big and diverse state. You've got your rural communities and the hunting community, and you've got to preserve the rights of hunters and sportsmen to legally own guns," Jackson said. "That's very different from in urban areas, where you have to be very vigilant about gun violence."
-----Original Message----- From: Midwest Group [mailto:law9@comcast.net] Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2004 11:06 AM To: aCPaul; letters@suntimes.com Subject: Letter to Editor Ms. Cheryl V Jacson Sunday article.
The Chicago Sun Times
401 N Wabash
Chicago, 60611
LETTER TO THE EDITOR fax 312.321.2120
I would like to respond to Ms. Cheryl V Jackson opine regarding gun rights in the Sunday March 28, 2004.
Please consider my letter for the editorial page. You have my permission to edit for spelling and structure – your advice is welcome. If you have any questions or concerns regarding clarity or my views, please give me a call; I would be happy to clarify or confirm.
Just for verification my permit number 2013203 FL. Please withhold my name because of obvious reasons. But you think this makes me whimpy then I will allow the signed letter.
If you would like to shorten the article please delete the following paragraph (3) giving 343 words.
Why are police called “armed historians”? It is because police seldom stop crime. In IL 83% of 508,202 felony crimes, the criminals were not arrested in 2002. Each citizen has the responsible for his or her own self-defense.
Best regards,
Editor letters@suntimes.com
I take issue with Ms. Cheryl V Jackson Sunday, 3.28.3004 opinion regarding retired police officer and citizens gun rights as Trojan horses for Conceal Carry (CCW). Even the bible in the Cain Able murder was smart enough to blame the sword holder and not the sword. This issue is more than about duck hunting, it’s about self-defense.
The state of Illinois is only one of four states that bands CCW the other three KS, NB, and WI. WI failed by one vote in 2004 to override the Governor veto and stands a good pass chance in 2005. The state of KS is moving quickly to pass CCW. What do politicians and citizens in 40 plus other states know about honest American citizens and self-defense rights that the Chicago leaders don’t want you to know? We know criminals love unarmed women, handicap, the elderly and homeowners. Just ask Britain’s homeowners.
Why are police called “armed historians”? It is because police seldom stop crime. In IL 83% of 508,202 felony crimes, the criminals were not arrested in 2002. Each citizen has the responsible for his or her own self-defense.
I am an Illinois residence, CCW permitted holder and retired Chicago exec. At last count 27 states honor my CCW rights as a out-of-state resident. My travel takes me to MI, IN, KY, OH, TN, MO, SD, and NC and the people in all of these states trust me. My CCW required an FBI, Check, State police check and lots of training a study. I am the good guy not the bad guy. I have never had to display my self-defense tool and hope and pray I never will. I constantly run the risk of an inadvertent display as I travel across some invisible lines representing felony violations.
CCW permit holders live by a code. 1. CCW is for protection of innocent life only, 2. Know exactly when you can use your firearm for self-defense. 3. If you can run away safely, run, run, run. 4. Display your firearm and go to jail. 5. Don’t let your emotions get the best of you.
Five million CCW permit holders plus police exist in the USA. It is time for IL citizens to ask the tough question of all Chicago leaders?
Naperville, IL
Back up -- A letter published in the Naperville Sun in January of 2004
Thank you, Ms. Laren Ritzert, for engaging in the debate for right to self-defense of family.
Our President said it best in the State of the Union address to paraphrase. Citizens of America do not need a permission slip for self-defense.
I have several questions for you to debate with your criminal justice classes.
1. How many felony acts (murder to rape) occur each year in IL? 2. How many are caught? 3.How many of the felony acts committed by perpetrators did the armed police stop? 4. Why are police called “armed historians”?
5. What do 45 states know about CCW or RTC issues that Illinois citizens do not know? 6. What percentage of the general population normally applies for CCW?
7. How many police officers are on duty during any duty cycle?
8. What is this ratio to population?
9. Are criminals more afraid of homeowners with a gun or police? 10. Did 93.2% of 22,392 chiefs of police and sheriff agree that law abiding citizens, be able to purchase a firearm for self-defense? Yes/No.
11. In the Cain/Abel murder did Jesus band the sword from the victim, or did Jesus condemn the actions of the perpetrator? 12. Do you need a license to save your life? 13. Is it true that more senior citizens are purchasing firearms for home protection? 14. Is it true that citizens have stopped a lot more crime than police?
Finally, for your criminal justice class visit the website below and view the thousands of unsolved felony cases, warrants, sexual offenders and fugitives from justice that IL police are looking for. The crime has been committed but no arrests, nor were the police present to prevent. http://www.statelocalgov.net/state-il.htm
Answers 1. In IL 508,200 felonies were committed in 2002. 2. 107,000 arrested or 21%. 3. ZERO. 4. Because police most always arrive after the crime to report the crime scene to the state. 5. 45 states allow their law-abiding citizens to protect their families. 6. Less than 1% except FL which as 2%. 7. About 120,000 per day. 8. .000428 % or 1 policemen for every 2,500 citizens. 9. Homeowners absolutely. 10. Yes, 92 % agree law-abiding citizens have firearms for self-defense. 11. Jesus condemned the action of the perpetrator, not disarming of the victim. 12. Only (hoplophobia) gun control nuts believe this is true. 13. yes, It is true seniors are buying more firearms for self-defense than ever before. 14. What do you think?
Other women who know how Mrs. Price was lied too by the government false statements that 911 will protect you.
*Out of state permit states for CCW*
http://www.packing.org/state/index.jsp/florida cut and paste