You have to wonder just how committed to democracy and representative government are those politicians who would push for gun bans. I think most people would understand that in the state of Illinois unfortunately power politics trumps democracy and representative government. So it is with the latest moves in Illinois to introduce an assault weapons (sic) ban.
From ISRA:
ISRA is asking that people in Illinois call your State Senator on Wednesday and politely tell him or her that you are a law abiding firearm owner and that you strongly oppose Cullerton’'s gun ban.
The ISRA has learned from a credible source that Illinois Senate President John Cullerton will introduce a so called “assault weapons” ban on Wednesday when the legislature returns for its “lame duck” session. Cullerton hopes to ramrod the bill through and get it to Governor Quinn for signature by Friday. If he is successful at doing so, nearly every gun you currently own will be banned and will be subject to confiscation by the Illinois State Police.
Based on what we know about Cullerton’s bill, firearms that would be banned include all semiautomatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns. Pump action shotguns would be banned as well. This would be a very comprehensive ban that would include not only so-called “assault weapons” but also such classics as M1 Garands and 1911-based pistols. There would be no exemptions and no grandfathering. You would have a very short window to turn in your guns to the State Police to avoid prosecution.
From the NRA-ILA:
URGENT: Illinois Anti-Gun Legislators That YOU Voted Out of Office to Use Their Last Remaining Days in Legislature Exploiting Lame Duck Session and Holiday Break To Impose a Draconian Gun BanKurt Hofmann has more on this move in his column in the St. Louis Gun Rights Examiner. Thirdpower at Days of Our Trailers blog has more as well as a suggestion to leave (polite) messages on the Illinois Senate Democratic Causus' Facebook page. You can reach that here.
The NRA-ILA has just learned that anti-gun legislators backed by Governor Quinn are deceptively trying to sneak through a new draconian gun ban as early as Wednesday while the legislature convenes for the Lame Duck Session from January 2 to 9. You voted many of these anti-gun legislators out of office, and now, in their last days as law makers, they want to quietly trample on the rights of all law-abiding gun owners in Illinois. It is imperative that you contact your state legislators
IMMEDIATELY and continue to do so over the next few days. The Lame Duck Session will end on January 9, so this bill will be moving at lightning speed through both the House and Senate, with very little time to spare. Your phone call or email will play an important role in halting this assault on your Second Amendment rights.
The NRA-ILA will continue to send updates on this matter as details become available to us. However, it is of the utmost importance that you act NOW to stop this gun ban and registration scheme. Call and email IMMEDIATELY and let your voice be heard on this matter.
To reach the main line for the Illinois General Assembly, please call 217.782.2000. Contact information for your state legislators can be found by clicking here.
UPDATE: Sebastian reports that the attack on gun rights in the state of Illinois is far broader than previously thought. In addition to an AWB, there will be restrictions on ranges, magazines, a lost or stolen requirement, etc. Go to his post here and read the whole thing. If you are a resident of Illinois, get to work. If you have family or friends in Illinois, let them know so they can get to get work calling their state representatives.
UPDATE II: The NRA-ILA has released an alert stating that the vote could come as early as this afternoon on the AWB and magazine bans. Their alert is below:
If you own a semi-automatic firearm or detachable magazine, they may be banned and you could become a felon unless you act NOW
As the Illinois Senate convenes this afternoon for its Lame Duck session, anti-gun legislators led by Senate President John Cullerton and backed by Governor Patrick Quinn (D) are deceptively trying to sneak through a sweeping draconian gun and magazine ban in Springfield. In their last days as lawmakers (some were defeated for reelection and others retiring), these legislators are attempting to quietly trample on the rights of all law-abiding gun owners in Illinois. The many restrictions contained in this legislation are subject to changes, however, this latest attack on your Second Amendment rights as currently drafted would turn law-abiding owners into felons for possession of nearly all common semi-automatic firearms or detachable magazines. Not only would such a ban include classic firearms like the 1911 and common handguns like Glocks, this ban would also outlaw common hunting guns like the Ruger 10/22 and Remington 740 series.
It is imperative that you contact your state Senator IMMEDIATELY to express your opposition and continue to do so every day this week. The Lame Duck session starts today and ends on January 9, so this legislation will be moving at lightning speed in both the Senate and House, with very little time to spare. At this time, it is rumored that both the semi-auto and magazine ban bills will be sent to the Executive Committee this afternoon. Please contact those members (listed below) as well as your state Senator. Your telephone calls will determine the outcome of this assault on your Second Amendment rights.
Anti-gun politicians are attempting to sacrifice your constitutional rights as a scapegoat for the criminal acts of lunatics and violence in Chicago by gangs and drug dealers. Don't let them succeed in banning your firearms or magazines as an excuse for stopping criminals from misusing them. Criminals -- by definition -- violate laws, especially gun control laws, including often: murder, rape, robbery, drug-dealing, gang violence, firearm theft, carrying concealed firearms without a license/permit, federal gun-free school zones. They do not obey gun bans, register their firearms, or get subjected to any gun control schemes (like the lone state ban on carrying concealed firearms for self-defense) that only affect and penalize law-abiding citizens like you.
The NRA-ILA will continue to send legislative updates as details become available. However, it is of the utmost importance that you act NOW to stop this gun and magazine ban. Call your state Senator and members of the Executive Committee IMMEDIATELY and express your opposition to banning firearms or magazines.
To reach the main line for the Illinois General Assembly, please call 217-782-2000.
Contact information for your state legislators can be found by clicking here.
Senate Executive Committee:
Senator Don Harmon, Chairman, (D-39)
(217) 782-8176
Senator Ira Silverstein, Vice Chairman, (D-8)
(217) 782-5500
Senator James F. Clayborne, Jr., (D-57)
(217) 782 5399
Senator Maggie Crotty, (D-19)
(217) 782-9595
Senator John J. Cullerton, Senate President (D-6)
(217) 782-2728
Senator Kimberly A. Lightford, (D-4)
(217) 782-8505
Senator Antonio Munoz, (D-1)
(217) 782-9415
Senator Jeffrey M. Schoenberg, (D-9)
(217) 782-2119
Senator Donne E. Trotter (D-17)
(217) 782-3201
Senator Dale A. Righter, Minority Spokesperson, (R-55)
(217) 782-6674
Senator William E. Brady, (R-44)
(217) 782-6216
Senator John O. Jones, (R-54)
(217) 782-0471
Senator David S. Luechtefeld, (R-58)
(217) 782-8137
Senator Matt Murphy, (R-27)
(217) 782-4471
Senator Christine Radogno, (R-41)
(217) 782-9407
The 2nd Amendment and the Heller and McDonald cases aside, how is this even legal?
ReplyDeleteFirst, this is an ex-post-facto law (prohibited by Article 1, section 9 of the Constitution), in that it is making illegal the possesion of a previously legal product.
Second, how does this also not violate the 5th Amendment? You would be required to surrender private property for (purportedly) public use without just compensation. Notwithstanding that the courts have allowed "public purpose" to be an eligible use of eminent domain instead of the "public use" that is written in the 5th Amendment, what is the public purpose even being achieved? Empirical evidence shows that disarmament does not achieve the health, safety, and welfare goals that are claimed.
I know, I know, silly me. Trying to uphold and defend the Constitution. How quaint.
Legality of a law is not a concern. They have perfectly good, still warm bodies, of 20 first graders to set their soap box on and they will never let a perfectly good tragedy go to waste. This is a full court press against our 2nd Amendment Rights and there is no time to dilly dally. The Lame Duck Session ends 1.09.13. Two bills passed in committee tonight. One essentially forces registration of all existing and bans all new manufacture, possession, and transfer of semi-auto firearms, .50 cal rifles, and creates a regulation nightmare for ranges to even exist. The second Bill requires registration of all existing full capacity magazines (11rnds +) and bans the manufacture, possession, and transfer of full capacity mags. The bills are HB1262 & HB0815
ReplyDeleteCONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND SAY HELL NO!!!!