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
Of course we don't know the facts for sure yet, but assuming this version is true, I'd agree it's a great dirty trick.
Unfortunately the ISRA tricked me by presenting it to me, a proponent of gun rights, as a change of policy, confirmed by the ICHV, without disclosing that the ICHV was them.
If I'd used this "change of heart" of the ICHV in an arguement, I would have destroyed my credibility.
Dirty tricks are OK, but you shouldn't make your friends your victim.
What is the difference between ISRA and I$RA??
Don't know. Someone refered to them using the dollar sign instead of the S, which was why I asked.
But that's not what they've done. Nowhere did they represent this as a "change of heart".
I'm going outside to see if there are any pigs flying around. I simply can't believe this :0)
This was nothing more that a stunt. Unfortunately as I write this the ICHV seems to be alive and well, operating both their Chicago and Springfield offices under the same name, accepting donations, and advocating gun control.
Look at the E Mail in 12, 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.
Verified?????? They wrote it. They're playing games.
As we speak ICHV lobbyists are probably laughing over lunch in Springfield with Daleys anti-gun forces laughing over what a bunch of bumpkins the pro-gun forces are. Ill predict that if this makes it into the media, it will be with a harshly anti gun bias and that this trick will be used to defuse all the valid arguments to loosen gun laws in Illinois. I hope the media takes a pass. I dont see any particular good coming from this, and some potential harm.
You can stay inside.
See 31, they'll have a legal skirmish over the name. ISRA wrote the release, ICHV is alive and well. Maybe they'll have to change their name, maybe they won't.
IMO, this transparent misinformation isn't helpful when we have the facts on our side.
Agreed. Thanks for the clarification.
Thanks for the clarification.
I am not renewing my membership this year, I will donate my money to groups that will work for all gunowners in the state.
Details per Chicago Sun-Times report in FReeppost *here*
-archy-/-
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