Posted on 05/21/2002 9:20:58 AM PDT by SJackson
ILLINOIS COUNCIL AGAINST HANDGUN VIOLENCE CALLS FOR SWEEPING REFORMS TO ILLINOIS GUN LAWS
CHICAGO, May 21, 2002 - - Citing a recent high-profile murder, the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence is recommending that the Illinois General Assembly make immediate and sweeping reforms to the state's gun laws.
On May 3, 2002, a 33-year-old Chicago woman was murdered in her home by her estranged husband. Despite the fact that a restraining order had been sworn out against him, the victim's assailant kicked down her door and shot her to death in her bedroom.
The murder was made all the more tragic by the fact that the victim had placed 3 frantic calls to 911 in the minutes before her murder. Inexplicably, the Chicago Police Department delayed in responding to the calls until well after the victim was dead.
For many years, various groups have pushed the notion that it is better for citizens to rely on the government for protection from criminals than it is for them to keep guns in their homes.
The May 3rd tragedy points to the shortsightedness of that philosophy. The victim in this case followed all 'the rules' by first securing a restraining order against her assailant. Then, when he violated that court order, she again followed 'the rules' and called 911. Unfortunately, the consequence of her trusting the system is that she is now dead.
In response to the tragedy, the City of Chicago offered copious apologies and suspended several low-level employees.
Apologies and employee suspensions are not the cure for criminal violence. Rather, this case illustrates the pressing need to empower Illinois citizens so that they might effectively defend themselves against the criminal element.
Specifically, the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence is calling upon the Illinois General Assembly to do the following:
- Immediately reconsider SB 604. If it had passed earlier this year, SB 604 would have provided an extra level of protection to women who, like the May 3rd victim, had sworn out orders of protection against violent males. Under SB 604, such women would have been allowed to carry defensive firearms just in case their tormentors ignored the restraining orders.
- Immediately pass HB 482 - statewide firearm preemption legislation. Firearm preemption would overrule the Chicago ordinance that denied the May 3rd victim the choice of whether or not to keep a firearm in her home to protect herself from her violent spouse.
- Immediately pass HB 401, the Family and Personal Protection Act. The Family and Personal Protection Act would allow qualified Illinois citizens to carry defensive firearms for the purpose of protecting themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence.
The May 3rd victim did not deserve to die. But, the politics of gun control made her death a near certainty.
- - -
ICHV educates the public about the epidemic of handgun violence victims and works to reduce death and injury by increasing the accessibility of firearms for self-defense in our society.
CONTACT: Alison Barkley, Esq., Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, (847) 425-6103
Not that I'm aware of unless they've recently changed their tune.
I posted the E Mail the way it was written but I'm sure Specifically, the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence is calling upon...should have been Illinois State Rife Assoc is calling upon...
I doubt that last quote is correct.
Damn right! If this woman had had a gun she wouldn't have even needed a TRO.
That would have made more sense.
.........................................
Subscribers:
Calls have come in to the ISRA office about an alert sent out earlier today regarding the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence's expression of support for concealed carry, preemption and other pro-gun issues.
The alert is NOT a hoax, and nobody has "hacked" into the ISRA alert system.
Prior to the release of the alert, we verified that the press release was authentic and have verified that the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence did release the press item.
We have been told further that more information regarding the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence will be coming out from their spokesman in the next few days.
Thanks,
ISRA Webmaster
webmaster@isra.org
Please read my post 11 re: the "error" in the original E Mail. This seems potentially significant, assuming this really is a change of heart. There's nothing on their site Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence so I'm still skeptical. If its not true, someone pulled a great hoax.
I am sure I heard they were supporting Blagoevitch (very anti gun) for governor. Something doesn't sound right here.
Has the door to the 5th dimension opened???
Maybe. I still think I'll eventually feel embarassed for posting this. But who knows.
Keep me on your bang list and any data on this interesting slice of life.
Unconstitutional as it allows a select group of non-government citizens special rights. Violates the equal protection under the laws clause I think.
Appreciative BUMP.
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