TV News Coverage of IGOLD 2010:

Note that the linked news stories may have ads before the requested video plays.

WSIL-TV, Carterville at wsiltv.com

WICS-TV, Springfield at wics.com

Posted Thu Mar 12 16:08:01 CST 2010

Again, Daley with the Gun Control Bills...

Flanked by several parents who had lost children to gun violence, Mayor Richard Daley today called for a host of new laws aimed at restricting gun sales and stiffening penalties for criminals who use them.

“I’m here to speak on behalf of families who lost loved ones,” Daley said, standing before a long series of tables topped with illegal weapons confiscated by Chicago police. “This is about common-sense gun laws — that we should be protected from all of these guns. . . . One murder is one too many.”

Although Daley announces new gun-control initiatives every year, this year’s announcement took on added significance because the U.S. Supreme Court is weighing whether to overturn the city’s handgun ban.

The Supreme Court in 2008 overturned a similar ban in Washington, D.C., and that led to “a dozen major lawsuits across the United States challenging common-sense gun laws,” including the Chicago handgun case, Daley said.

“We remain hopeful that when the court reaches its final decision in June, they will agree with us and with many others who share a belief in the right of municipalities and states to enact strict-but-balanced gun laws to keep their citizens safe,” he said. ...

Read the whole story in the Tribune's Clout Street. 

Posted Tue Mar 9 06:13:43 CST 2010

Poll Indicates Most Americans Say Cities Have no Right to Ban Handguns

BELLEVUE, Wash., March 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new Rasmussen poll has revealed that an overwhelming majority of Americans reject the notion that cities have a right to ban handguns, siding with the Second Amendment Foundation's position in its lawsuit to overturn the Chicago ban.

Oral arguments in the SAF case were heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday. Court observers predict the high court will overturn the Chicago ban, thus incorporating the Second Amendment to state and local governments through provisions in the 14th Amendment. Results from Rasmussen's national telephone survey found that 69 percent of the respondents say cities have no right to ban legal handgun ownership, while 25 percent believe cities can ban guns.

"The Rasmussen survey clearly shows that Americans have grown weary of anti-gun municipal demagoguery," said SAF Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. "A victory in our case before the Supreme Court should send a clear signal to gun prohibitionists like Chicago Mayor Richard Daley that arbitrarily disarming law-abiding citizens under the guise of fighting crime is an idea that has no place in this country."

SAF is joined in its case by the Illinois State Rifle Association and four Chicago residents, including Otis McDonald, for whom the Supreme Court case is named.

The Rasmussen poll also found very little difference between current public sentiment and earlier surveys that noted 70 percent of American adults believe the U.S. Constitution guarantees the individual right to own a firearm.

"For years," Gottlieb said, "the anti-gun lobby has been claiming majority support for its Draconian agenda, but polling data like this new information from Rasmussen shows that the public is not about to surrender a significant civil right. We believe the Supreme Court is on the verge of expanding the scope of that right by applying the Second Amendment to the states."

The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation's oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 600,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.

This press release is posted on PRNewswire.  

Posted Sat Mar 6 22:03:13 CST 2010

Halvorson, Illinois State Rifle Association Call for Supreme Court to Protect Second Amendment in McDonald Case
Constitutionally-protected right to gun ownership at stake in Supreme Court case

Working to protect Second Amendment rights, Rep. Debbie Halvorson (IL-11-D) and representatives of the Illinois State Rifle Association called on the United States Supreme Court to fairly and equally apply the Second Amendment to all Americans following the hearing of oral arguments in the McDonald v. City of Chicago case yesterday.

Halvorson was joined by Don Moran, President and Richard Pearson, Executive Director of the Illinois State Rifle Association.

Halvorson has maintained a pro-gun record since coming to Congress from the Illinois legislature. She was a signatory to an amicus brief for District of Columbia v. Heller, which delivered a landmark decision in favor of the Second Amendment by the United States Supreme Court. During the conference, Halvorson called on the Supreme Court to uphold the constitutional right of Americans to own a gun.

“I believe this case is about common-sense fairness. The bill of rights should apply to all Americans in our country – and I believe the Supreme Court should follow its lead from the Heller decision and protect the constitutional rights of gun owners,” said Halvorson.

The McDonald case, which builds upon the Heller case and was heard by the court on Tuesday, will decide whether second amendment rights which apply in the District of Columbia and federal jurisdictions also apply to state and local governments. Halvorson has also signed onto an amicus brief in support of the plaintiff’s Second Amendment rights in McDonald v. City of Chicago.

“Protecting my constituents’ rights to legally and responsibly own firearms is a major priority of mine,” said Halvorson. “I have a strong record of standing up and speaking out for gun owners. This Supreme Court case is important not only for the rights of gun owners, but the rights of all Americans, and it is important that those rights are protected.”

The Illinois State Rife Association was one of two organizational plaintiffs in the McDonald case. ISRA’s Executive Director Richard Pearson said, “We were pleased with how arguments went yesterday before the Supreme Court. This is an important case for the protection of the Second Amendment, and we’re confident the court is going to apply the Second Amendment in state and local jurisdictions. This case will have a lasting impact on gun rights in America.”

“We were very appreciative of the support we received from Congress on this matter, including Congresswoman Halvorson’s signature on the amicus brief for this case in support of gun rights. We anticipate the case should be decided by the end of June,” said Moran.

The United States Supreme Court is expected to take several months before handing down a decision on the McDonald case.

###

Contact Ryan Vanderbilt ryan.vanderbilt@mail.house.gov or 202.503.5188

Posted Thu Mar 4 08:36:51 CST 2010

Supreme Court appears set to widen gun rights

The Supreme Court majority that two years ago ruled a near-total ban on handguns in the District to be unconstitutional seemed equally willing on Tuesday to extend the Second Amendment's right to keep and bear arms to the states.

But the court appeared skeptical, even hostile at times, to an approach by the lead attorney in the case that would involve overturning long-held court precedents to achieve the result. ...

Read the whole story in the Washington Times. 

Posted Wed Mar 3 07:14:00 CST 2010

Video coverage of McDonald v Chicago

Note that the linked news stories may have ads before the requested video plays.

NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams at msnbc.msn.com  

ABC 7 Chicago at abc7chicago.com

NBC 5 Chicago at nbcchicago.com

WGN 9 Chicago at wgntv.com

Posted Wed Mar 3 02:44:01 CST 2010

Chicago Tribune Poll:
Allow Handguns in Chicago?

Take the poll at Chicago Tribune. 

Posted Tue Mar 2 18:58:56 CST 2010

Argument transcript for McDonald vs. City of Chicago released

View the complete transcript here. (Acrobat PDF file - 343KB)

Posted Tue Mar 2 13:53:26 CST 2010

SCOTUSblog: Podcasts: McDonald v. City of Chicago

Continuing our series of five-minute podcasts on oral argument days, we have two new podcasts below with counsel in McDonald v. City of Chicago (08-1521), in which the Court will consider whether the Second Amendment’s individual right to keep and bear arms should be incorporated against state and local government through either the Privileges or Immunities Clause or the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Because the approaches to incorporation are so different, and more than fifty amicus briefs were filed in the case, we are including five podcasts to capture the full scope of argument.

Read the whole story here. 

Posted Tue Mar 2 10:59:38 CST 2010

In his words:
'IT WAS DIVINE DESIGN' - Chicago grandfather tells why he's lead plaintiff in case that sets sights on city's handgun law

. . . the 76-year-old Morgan Park man who has become the face of one of the most important Second Amendment lawsuits in history wants you to know this: He is not a ''showpiece'' for the pro-gun lobby in the landmark case that could overturn Chicago's handgun ban. The case is set to come before the U.S. Supreme Court today.

''It doesn't matter what anyone's motives were for picking me for this,'' McDonald said. ''I have my own motives, and they are so compelling and so heavy that to me this is worthy of my effort.'' ...

Read the whole story in the Sun Times. 

Posted Tue Mar 2 07:47:40 CST 2010

LA Times Editorial
A Chicago case is about more than gun control; it's about freedoms that all Americans enjoy

A case to be argued in the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday poses a dilemma for supporters of civil liberties who also believe in gun control. The court will consider whether states as well as the federal government must recognize that the 2nd Amendment gives individuals the right to keep and bear arms. Such a finding would make it much more difficult to control guns at the state and local level, but it would reaffirm that states must honor the liberties found in the Bill of Rights.

For us the choice is clear: The Bill of Rights should apply to the whole country ...

Read the whole story in the LA Times. 

Posted Mon Mar 1 22:32:16 CST 2010

High court to define reach of gun-control laws

WASHINGTON — In 2008, when national gun rights advocates were looking for residents to challenge Chicago's ban on handguns, Otis McDonald was in effect looking for them. McDonald, 76, says he had seen his neighborhood on the far South Side of Chicago turn from bad to worse over the years with "gangbangers and drug dealers."

"My wife and I are here alone all the time now," says McDonald, a retired maintenance engineer, who with his wife, Laura, reared three children. "I've got burglar alarms hooked into the police department. I have a shotgun, but a handgun (would be) more handy for me to handle."

McDonald had driven down to Springfield, Ill., a few years earlier for an Illinois State Rifle Association rally, to support the push for looser gun laws in Chicago. It was the beginning of a bond with gun rights activists that led to McDonald v. City of Chicago, a dispute that will be argued before the Supreme Court on Tuesday and could reshape firearms regulations nationwide. ...

Read the whole story on CNN.  

Posted Mon Mar 1 21:02:56 CST 2010

AP Coverage
Chicagoans hope stories will help overturn gun ban

CHICAGO — A couple worries that burglars who tried to break in when the wife was home alone will return. A retiree fears the drug dealers and junkies just outside his window will attempt — again — to steal what he spent a lifetime earning. And a businessman wants to protect himself as he could when he was a police officer.

Together, they are the face of the most serious challenge yet to Chicago's 28-year-old handgun ban.

On Tuesday, the four will take their seats inside the U.S. Supreme Court as their attorneys argue a lawsuit that bears their names: David and Colleen Lawson, Otis McDonald and Adam Orlov.

The four plaintiffs are not stereotypical gun rights advocates. Rather, they are the kind of hard-working, law-abiding Chicagoans that opponents of the handgun ban say should be allowed to protect themselves.

"Some people want to stereotype advocates in any case, to make them look like a bunch of crazies," said Alan Gura, a Virginia attorney who will argue the case. "But these are plaintiffs who reflect the city in which they live." ...

Read the whole story on Google's AP feed. 

Posted Mon Mar 1 21:00:17 CST 2010

WA Supreme Court: ‘2nd Amendment applies to the states via 14th Amendment due process clause’

From the Seattle Gun Rights Examiner:
The majority opinion, written by Justice Richard B. Sanders, was signed by five other justices including Chief Justice Barbara A. Madsen, with a (sort-of) concurring opinion from Justice Debra L. Stephens that takes issue with the incorporation premise, and a partly-concurring and partly-dissenting opinion from Justice James M. Johnson that argues the majority ruling isn’t strong enough.

Although the issue of incorporation is at the heart of McDonald v. Chicago, the Second Amendment Foundation's case now before the United States Supreme Court for which oral arguments are scheduled March 2, Sanders notes in his majority state-level opinion that even though the high court “did not expressly consider incorporation of the right to bear arms” in the June 2008 Heller ruling, “that need not stop the rest of us.” He maintains that lower courts “need not wait for the Supreme Court” on the question of incorporation. ...

Read the whole story @ The Examiner. 

Posted Fri Feb 19 05:24:55 CST 2010

URGENT ALERT - YOUR IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

DALEY FORCES LAUNCH RENEWED ATTACK ON YOUR GUN RIGHTS
LATEST EFFORT WOULD SHUT DOWN ALL GUN SHOPS

Late last week, Daley sympathizers in the Illinois House passed HB180 out of the Rules Committee and on to the floor of the House. A vote on HB 180 is expected as early as this coming Tuesday.

Should you be worried about HB 180? ABSOLUTELY!

HB 180 would include the following:

1. Require all Illinois gun shops to secure a license to operate issued by the Illinois State Police. Under this bill, the State Police “may” issue a license to a gun shop and would establish all rules and regulations required to keep the license. You know what that means – either nobody would be granted a license, or those who did get licenses would be so burdened by regulations that they could not make a profit. BOTTOM LINE: HB 180 would shut down all gun shops in Illinois.

2. HB 180 requires that all your gun purchases be registered with the state police. BOTTOM LINE: HB 180 is a licensing/registration scheme designed to keep track of how many guns you own so they may be easily confiscated at a later date.

3. HB 180 allows any police officer in the state go to any gun shop in the state to conduct so-called record reviews. BOTTOM LINE: The Chicago CAGE Unit could, and would, inspect gun shops across the state doing these record reviews. Shop owners, no matter where they are located, would be forced to cooperate with the CAGE unit or lose their licenses. The true purpose of these visits is to cost gun shops time and money and ultimately cause them to go out of business.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SAVE YOUR GUNS:

1. Starting Monday morning, call your State Representative and politely tell him/her that you oppose HB 180 and that you would like to see him/her vote against the bill when it comes to the House Floor. If you do now know who your state representative is, go to the following web site and follow the directions for looking up your legislators: Illinois State Board of Elections. If you know who your State Representative is, you can look up the phone numbers of their Springfield and district offices here.

2. Pass this alert on to all your friends and family, ask them to make calls as well.

3. Please post this alert to any and all blogs and bulletin boards to which you may belong.

Thanks in advance for your help in this matter. The future of lawful gun ownership in Illinois depends on you!

Posted Mon Feb 8 05:43:45 CST 2010

ISRA's Supreme Court Case
The public face of gun-rights battle

From behind the wheel of his hulking GMC Suburban, 76-year-old Otis McDonald leads a crime-themed tour of his Morgan Park neighborhood. He points to the yellow brick bungalow he says is a haven for drug dealers. Down the street is the alley where five years ago he saw a teenager pull out a gun and take aim at a passing car. Around the corner, he gestures to the weed-bitten roadside where three thugs once threatened his life.

"I know every day that I come out in the streets, the youngsters will shoot me as quick as they will a policeman," says McDonald, a trim man with a neat mustache and closely cropped gray hair. "They'll shoot a policeman as quick as they will any of their young gangbangers."

To defend himself, McDonald says, he needs a handgun. So, in April of 2008, the retired maintenance engineer agreed to serve as the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging Chicago's 28-year-old handgun ban ...

Read the whole story from the front page of the Chicago Tribune. 

Donate to help the ISRA's fight for your rights!

Posted Sat Jan 30 13:03:40 CST 2010

ISRA Fed-PAC Announces Endorsements and Preferences in U.S. Congressional Races

CHICAGO, Jan. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the ISRA Fed-PAC:

The ISRA Fed-PAC is pleased to announce its list of endorsed and preferred candidates in the 2010 Illinois Primary Election. Selections were made based on an analysis of candidate voting records, public statements, and stated positions on issues important to law-abiding Illinois gun owners. Candidates chosen for endorsement typically have long and proven records of support for our issues. Candidates given "preferred" status typically do not have adequate length of service to be endorsed, but have demonstrated that they share our organization's traditional view of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Races in which ISRA Fed-PAC has shown no preference do not appear below.

Judge Donald Lowery was selected as the Preferred Candidate for U.S. Senate. Judge Lowery is a long-time friend of the Illinois hunter and sportsman.

Rep. Peter Roskam was endorsed in the Republican primary race for the 6th U.S. House District.

Rep. Debbie Halvorson was endorsed in the Democratic primary race for the 11th U.S. House District.

Mr. Henry Meers was selected as the Preferred Candidate in the Republican primary race for the 11th U.S. House District.

Rep. Jerry Costello was endorsed in the Democratic primary race for the 12th U.S. House District.

Rep. Judy Biggert was endorsed in the Republican primary race for the 13th U.S. House District.

Rep. Randy Hultgren was endorsed in the Republican primary race for the 14th U.S. House District.

Rep. Tim Johnson was endorsed in the Republican primary race for the 15th U.S. House District.

Rep. Don Manzullo was endorsed in the Republican primary race for the 16th U.S. House District.

Rep. Aaron Schock was endorsed in the Republican primary race for the 18th U.S. House District.

Rep. John Shimkus was endorsed in the Republican primary race for the 19th U.S. House District.

We wish each of our endorsed and preferred candidates the best of luck in the 2010 Illinois Primary.

ISRA Fed-PAC is a non-partisan, non-affiliated political action committee. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Contributions to ISRA Fed-PAC are not tax deductible and are subject to all Federal Election Commission rules and regulations. No corporate donations accepted. ISRA Fed-PAC, Post Box 434, Chatsworth, IL 60921

This press release is posted on PRNewswire.  

Posted Mon Jan 18 19:34:38 CST 2010

ISRA Political Victory Fund Announces Endorsements for Illinois Governor and Other Key Races

CHICAGO, Jan. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the ISRA Political Victory Fund (ISRA-PVF):

The ISRA-PVF board of directors is pleased to announce the organization's candidate endorsements and preferences for the 2010 Illinois Primary Election. Endorsement and preference decisions were made by the board of directors after a careful review of candidate qualifications, voting records, candidate survey responses, and other pertinent factors that gauge the candidates' suitability.

In the Republican primary race for Illinois Governor, the ISRA-PVF has endorsed the candidacy of Kirk Dillard. The board found this a very difficult decision in light of the fact that the crowded field of candidates included long-time friend Sen. Bill Brady and exciting newcomer, Adam Andrzejewski.

In the Democratic primary race for Illinois Governor, the ISRA-PVF board of directors has expressed a preference for candidate Pat Quinn over his opponent, Dan Hynes.

In the Republican primary race for Illinois Lt. Governor, the ISRA-PVF board of directors has expressed its preference for candidate Jason Plummer.

In the Democratic primary race for Illinois Lt. Governor, the ISRA-PVF board of directors has expressed its preference for candidate Art Turner.

In the Republican primary race for Illinois State Treasurer, the ISRA-PVF has endorsed candidate Dan Rutherford.

A full list of endorsements and candidate preferences may be found at the ISRA-PVF web site: www.isra-pvf.com

The ISRA-PVF is a political action committee affiliated with the Illinois State Rifle Association. A copy of our report is available from the Illinois State Board of Elections, Springfield, IL

This press release is posted on PRNewswire.  

Posted Mon Jan 18 19:28:15 CST 2010

ISRA Receives Association of the Year Award From the NRA

CHICAGO - - The following is the text of a statement delivered today by Richard Pearson, Executive Director of the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) to the association's membership:

“I am very proud to announce to the officers, directors and members that your Illinois State Rifle Association has been named Outstanding State Association for 2009 by the National Rifle Association of America (NRA). The granting of this prestigious award spells volumes of your hard work and dedication to the protection and preservation of Illinois' heritage of safe and lawful firearm ownership. This award confirms what I've known all along – law-abiding Illinois gun owners will not back down, even in the face of extreme adversity. You have proven to the Nation that you will not be deterred by the likes of Richie Daley or Jim Ryan or Mark Kirk. You will stand, you will fight, you will win”

“This award also pays homage to the many dozens of volunteers who make ISRA's shooting sports programs some of the best in the Nation, and even the world. Your dedication to the sport has opened up countless shooting opportunities to a whole new generation of enthusiasts. Your continued service will ensure that both competitive and recreational shooting remain one of the safest and most rewarding of America's pastimes.”

“I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize all of the other great NRA state affiliates out there that work tirelessly day in and day out to preserve our shooting traditions. Your strength served as a tremendous inspiration to the ISRA when times got really rough for Illinois gun owners. For that, we thank you.”

“In closing, I would like to once again thank the NRA for its consideration. I'd also like to remind the membership that 2010 promises to be a year of destiny for our Second Amendment and the bounty of liberty it has delivered. Our continued prosperity will require that we tap once again into the strength and dedication of the shooting sports community. I have every confidence that you will face the challenges ahead with every bit of grit and determination that you have exhibited in the past.” ___

The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners.

Posted Fri Jan 15 22:33:47 CST 2010

McDonald v Chicago: Chicago Magazine profile on the plaintiffs

...Today McDonald, a bright-eyed and trim 76-year-old grandfather, considers himself one of few defenders of peace and security on the leafy, house-lined street where three of his children grew up and played. The gangbangers and drug dealers have taken over, he says. “You go out there in the morning and pick up bottles and things on the lawn,” he explains, describing events of the past summer. “They’re out there at three in the morning, in the middle of the street, drinking and smoking their stuff. They throw stuff all over your lawn, and you can’t say anything, because they might up and shoot you.” McDonald says his house has been broken into three times and his garage twice—most recently, early one morning this past August by a man McDonald recognized from around the neighborhood. Does McDonald think the robber planned to sell the stolen possessions for drugs? “Of course, of course,” he says matter-of-factly.

Otis McDonald wants a handgun—a pistol to carry around the house and keep on his bedside table at night ...

Read the whole article in ChicagoMag.com.  

Posted Wed Dec 30 13:50:12 CST 2009

Illinois Senate candidates answer AP questions on gun control

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) ― U.S. Senate candidates in Illinois walk carefully when discussing gun control, with most stressing support for the right to bear arms even if they favor some restrictions.

Gun ownership has been an ongoing issue in federal elections in Illinois, with officials trying to reduce violence in Chicago — where handguns are banned — on one side, and downstate hunters and sportsmen who oppose restrictions on the other.

Five Democrats and six Republicans, along with a Green Party candidate, are vying for their party's nomination Feb. 2 to run for the Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama. Some of the candidates responded to an Associated Press questionnaire about guns ...

Read their answers at cbs2chicago.  (external link)

Posted Fri Dec 25 13:49:13 CST 2009

CCRKBA Press Release:
'Scrooge' Daley Squanders $$ Defending Gun Ban; Shuts Down Chicago Services

BELLEVUE, Wash., Dec. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Chicago Mayor Richard Daley is sending city employees home without pay on Christmas Eve, "just like Ebenezer Scrooge would have done," yet he continues squandering scarce city funds defending an unconscionable, and soon-to-be unconstitutional, handgun ban, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms said today.

"This is an indefensible ban designed to leave Chicago citizens defenseless," said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb, "yet Mayor Daley is perfectly comfortable pouring public funds down a hole darker than the grave of Jacob Marley, clinging to a law that has been a public safety disaster.

"This folly has cost the citizens of Chicago untold thousands of dollars," he continued, "and what do they have to show for it? Public employees don't even get a lump of coal in their Christmas stockings, only a day off without pay. Daley has had years to repeal this law and turn over a new leaf, but his only response has essentially been 'Bah, Humbug'!"

The city is being sued by the Second Amendment Foundation, Illinois State Rifle Association and four individual citizens to overturn its long-standing handgun ban. That case is going to be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on March 2, and a ruling is expected sometime in June. This case could provide a landmark decision that incorporates the Second Amendment to the states through the 14th Amendment.

"Daley is claiming that every dollar saved from these unpaid furlough days helps save jobs," Gottlieb noted, "but maybe it's time to ask this Grinch just how much money is being spent to defend his gun ban. Surely that money could be far better spent by the citizens, and the employees whose pockets are being emptied for the holidays.

"Here's hoping that Daley is visited by the ghost of Christmas Future Thursday night," he concluded, "and that he sees a happier Chicago, where citizens will be safer once their rights are protected by the Supreme Court."

With more than 650,000 members and supporters nationwide, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (www.ccrkba.org) is one of the nation's premier gun rights organizations. As a non-profit organization, the Citizens Committee is dedicated to preserving firearms freedoms through active lobbying of elected officials and facilitating grass-roots organization of gun rights activists in local communities throughout the United States.

This press release is posted on PRNewswire.  

Posted Fri Dec 25 13:41:27 CST 2009

No Surprise Here...
Mayor Daley and Rep. Quigley insist that keeping Chicagoans defenseless is keeping them safe, & want to determine which civil rights the citizens get to keep

... The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear McDonald vs. the City of Chicago, which challenges the gun ban's legality.

The city is filing a brief in defense of the ban's constitutionality. In addition, Rep. Mike Quigley will be supporting Chicago's defense by working with gun-control advocates to file a "friends of the court" amicus brief before the Supreme Court hears arguments later this winter. ...

... Chicago has suffered extensive loss of life, threats to the safety and security of law enforcement personnel, disruption to its economy, and massive health care costs associated with gun violence. The 2nd Amendment does not constrain the ability of local officials to respond to the dire problems that threaten to destroy their communities.

We know, unfortunately, that Chicago's gun ban is not a panacea that single-handedly prevents other types of violence or illegal guns on our streets. That said, overturning this law would bring even more guns into Chicago homes, too many of which would make their way on to Chicago streets or be used unsafely or accidentally. It defies common sense, but reminds us that we must look toward more comprehensive solution...

Their whole letter to the editor is @ Chicago Sun-Times. 

Posted Tue Dec 22 08:10:08 CST 2009

Response from ISRA Member James McNally

Dear Editor,

The unfortunate editorial by Mayor Daley and Rep. Mike Quigley (12/20/09) contained numerous demonstrably false assertions. What makes it unfortunate, is that these are elected officials, charged with representing law-abiding citizens, who may actually believe some of these erroneous claims. Guns are scarcer? Please! Maybe for the law-abiding, but certainly not the criminal. Criminals, by their job description, don't obey laws. If you have no qualms about gunning down a store clerk, or engaging in gang-banging drive-bys, you certainly won't be dissuaded by a municipal ordinance proscribing you the tools of your trade.

While the Heller decision may have dealt with a federal law restricting the constitutional rights of Washington D.C.'s residents, and gun ban extremists see a legal loophole that will allow more needless and nonsensical litigation, the court did recognize the 2nd Amendment as an individual right. The spirit of that decision, and the 2nd Amendment, is that "no man shall be debarred the use of arms", as so eloquently stated by our Founding Fathers.

The overwhelming and irrefutable body of evidence shows that not only are most gun-control laws misguided and ineffective, they are actually counter-productive, causing more harm than purported good. John Lott, former University of Chicago professor, and renowned statistician, set out to conduct an exhaustive study, to prove that gun-control laws actually worked. During the course of his research, and upon its completion, he came to the opposite conclusion, such that the title to his book was "More Guns, Less Crime". This study has given fits to the gun-banners, who are incapable of finding any flaws in Lott's methodology.

Among the other erroneous assertions made by Daley and Quigley, is Chicago residents support these dangerous restrictions on the right to protect oneself and one's family. I can assure you that the great majority of the police officers (the street cops, not the high-ranking political appointees who must parrot the boss's opinion), fire fighters and paramedics, who see the results of horrific violence on a daily basis, know the futility of these flawed gun laws, and support the law-abiding individual's right to self-protection.

How did we get to the point in our society that we have allowed politicians and unelected bureaucrats to dictate what rights they deem us worthy of, particularly when many of these people see the need and utility of firearms when it comes to their own protection? Why are guns in the hands of politicians and their bodyguards good, yet denied to those of us who pay for those bodyguards through our tax dollars? Why will the City of Chicago, yet again, waste taxpayers dollars in an attempt to maintain the questionable ability to restrict the rights of those same taxpayers? The Daleys and Quigleys of the world need to ask themselves these questions. We, as citizens of a free society, need to demand that they answer.

Sincerely,
James E. McNally
Over 30 year member of the Chicago Fire Dept. and Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local 2

Posted Tue Dec 22 08:16:39 CST 2009

Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg, IL awarded grant by the National Shooting Sports Foundation

NSSF Awards $109,500 in Grants to Colleges to Promote Recreational Shooting

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- With an increasing number of college students taking up target shooting at competitive and club levels, the National Shooting Sports Foundation is providing $109,500 in support to ensure that even more young men and women have the opportunity to give shooting a try.

NSSF is awarding the grants through its new Collegiate Shooting Sports Initiative, which was launched earlier this year to raise awareness about shotgun, rifle and handgun shooting at the college level and to provide assistance for the development of shooting clubs and varsity teams. ...

Read the whole story at the NSSF Newsroom. (external link)

Posted Mon Dec 21 16:06:15 CST 2009

Give the Gift of Membership

... If there are shooters and hunters that are friends of yours, a gift membership to the ISRA may be just the different gift you have been looking for. Maybe this friend has mentioned legislation that was being considered that he or she was not aware of during the year. Maybe they have said they wish they could do more to fight for their 2nd Amendment rights. The Illinois State Rifle Association is the one that truly has their firearm rights foremost in mind. They receive a copy quarterly of The Illinois Shooter paper. They also can sign up for email alerts, so that the being in the dark about what’s happening will be a thing of the past! ...

Read a special message from Smalltalk's Don Bekeleski about gift memberships and membership drive prizes. 

Posted Thu Dec 17 08:41:04 CST 2009

History Channel Now Seeking The Ultimate Marksmen For Its First Competition Show!

If you are skilled with a pistol, rifle or any other firearm, you could win $100,000 in prizes on TV’s first marksmanship competition show. The History Channel and the producers of "The Ultimate Fighter" are looking for anyone with mind-blowing shooting skills and a big personality to take on exciting physical challenges with multiple guns and mystery projectile weapons.

In each episode, contenders will face team and elimina­tion challenges inspired by real events in history, from Wild West shootouts to modern-day sniper ­missions. Every challenge will reveal the weapons, technologies and tactics of a different era, while hi-speed cameras capture the skillful execution of each test. If you’re in good physical shape, have mastered a firearm and can adapt to new weapons and demanding physical situations, you could be America ’s first “Top Shot."

APPLY TODAY!

To apply, email TopShotCasting@gmail.com ­with your name, city/state, phone number, a recent photo of yourself and a brief explanation of why you should be on the show. Deadline to apply is January 18, 2010. For more information, visit www.pilgrimfilms.tv and click on “CASTING” or call 818-728-3729 TODAY!

Deadline to apply is January 18, 2010.

* Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, a resident or citizen of the United States and reasonably proficient with shooting and marksmanship. Further eligibility requirements are listed in the casting application. ...

ISRA heard about this via email. You can find all the details @ PilgrimFilms.TV.  

Posted Wed Dec 16 08:23:21 CST 2009

Today is Bill of Rights Day

... The Bill of Rights is about individuals, not states. It is a legal document, not a “living document” subject to change at the whim of popularity or political correctness. It is about personal freedoms and liberty, not about some collectivist nonsense. My colleague in Knoxville, Liston Matthews, offers his thoughts on this important day here.

Citizens of the United States, as one philosopher once explained, live under the worst form of government…except for all the others. Yes, we have a bonehead for a president. We always have a bonehead for a president (how do we keep electing boneheads?). The difference between us and some other country is that we can say this out loud, in print, on the radio, on television and get away with it. ...

Read Dave Workman's whole column @ Seattle Gun Rights Examiner. 

Posted Tue Dec 15 15:01:48 CST 2009

ISRA-PVF Press Release: Jim Ryan Picks Up Where He Left Off in 2002 - Stumbling Aimlessly Down the Road to Defeat

CHICAGO, Dec. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the ISRA Political Victory Fund (ISRA-PVF):

"I've never seen a suburban Republican try so hard to look like a Chicago Machine Democrat," is how ISRA-PVF spokesman Richard Pearson characterized the behavior of Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Ryan. Pearson's remarks came as follow-on to a published interview during which Ryan pledged to enact a ban on semiautomatic target rifles and shotguns. In that same Chicago Tribune interview, Ryan also pledged to deny law-abiding citizens the opportunity to carry defensive firearms to protect themselves and their families.

Ryan's latest affront to the state's 1.5 million law-abiding hunters, sportsmen and firearm owners comes only days after the Ryan camp was forced to issue a retraction of the candidate's claim that he had been endorsed by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) during his unsuccessful 2002 run for the governor's mansion. In reality, neither Ryan nor his Democratic opponent, Rod Blagojevich, received ISRA support in 2002 as the two were deemed equally unsuitable for office.

"We were not at all surprised by Ryan's remarks in the Tribune," said Pearson. "Ryan's hostility toward law-abiding firearm owners extends way back to his days as DuPage County State's Attorney. Ryan's philosophical distaste for the fundamental rights guaranteed under the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution make him particularly unqualified to serve as Illinois governor. As we saw in 2002, Jim Ryan has slammed the door in the faces of Illinois firearm owners. As primary day draws near, Ryan may find that, if you keep doing the same things over and over, you will keep getting the same result."

The ISRA-PVF is a political action committee affiliated with the Illinois State Rifle Association. A copy of our report is available for a fee from the Illinois State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois.

This press release is posted on PRNewswire.com.  

Posted Mon Dec 14 07:52:32 CST 2009

Convicted criminals returning home early.
Coming home to your neighborhood?

...The Associated Press obtained and analyzed information showing at least 850 prisoners spending as little as 14 days total of a year's sentence behind bars since September. Corrections is granting them months of good-conduct time when they enter prison.

Winnebago County State's Attorney Joe Bruscato (bruh-SKAH'-toh) says it undermines the justice system when victims see convicts coming home so soone.

DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett says an inmate should show good behavior before getting good-conduct time. ...

Read the whole AP story @ WANDTV.com  

Posted Sun Dec 13 18:05:39 CST 2009

Illinois gubernatorial candidates state positions on two gun issues

The Associated Press recently asked candidates for Illinois governor questions about gun-control legislation.

Here are highlights of their answers:

QUESTION: "Would you sign or veto legislation banning the sale and possession of semiautomatic assault-style weapons in Illinois?"

...

QUESTION: "Would you sign or veto legislation allowing concealed-carry for handguns?"

...

Get the candidates' answers by reading the whole story @ WANDTV.com  

Posted Sat Dec 12 22:21:02 CST 2009

NSSF Alert - Threat to Ammunition Availability - Action Needed

As demand for ammunition continues to outpace supply, it is critically important that an amendment authored by Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) to a seemingly obscure hazardous material bill (HR 4016) be attached to the legislation during consideration on the House floor.

When the bill passed out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Graves secured a commitment from Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, to allow a vote on this amendment. The amendment being pushed by Graves will help protect the shipment of materials necessary for the manufacturing of ammunition.

Without the Graves Amendment, the rate of production will slip, perhaps precipitously. In-turn, decreased production of ammunition will lead to decreased availability. This will lead to an increase in ammunition prices directly affecting consumers. Given the current high demand for ammunition, passage of the Graves Amendment should be considered critical to gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Floor action on the bill is anticipated soon.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) -- the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry -- is encouraging all hunters and sportsmen to contact Rep. Oberstar and urge him to support the Graves Amendment. Chairman Oberstar intends to bring HR 4016 to the floor prior to the end of the session (most likely between Dec. 8 and 22), so time is of the essence.

Congressman Oberstar can be reached at: (202) 225-6211

Read the original story at the NSSF Website. 

Posted Fri Dec 11 00:09:39 CST 2009

Farm Bureau board supports concealed carry

Delegates approved resolutions dealing with election reform, animal welfare and identification and concealed carry at the Illinois Farm Bureau's 95th annual meeting Dec. 5-8 in Chicago.

Language was approved to support concealed carry legislation in Illinois. The Farm Bureau supports requirements that the State of Illinois issue permits for carrying concealed firearms and that gun owners complete an application process.

Read the whole story in The Carmi Times.

Posted Thu Dec 10 12:09:50 CST 2009

CCW is on Peoria's Wish List

PEORIA — Economic development tools, an arrest fee and adding cameras to catch motorists violating red lights top a list of legislative initiatives the City Council wants local lawmakers to pursue next year.

Also, the list will include the high-profile push by Mayor Jim Ardis to have Peoria as a pilot community for a statewide concealed carry law ...

Read the whole story @ Peoria Journal-Star 

Posted Tue Dec 8 13:03:20 CST 2009

ISRA-PVF Calls Upon Illinois Gubernatorial Candidate Jim Ryan to Retract Endorsement Claims

CHICAGO, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the ISRA Political Victory Fund (ISRA-PVF):

The ISRA-PVF is today calling upon Illinois gubernatorial candidate Jim Ryan to retract claims that he received the group's endorsement during his failed 2002 run for governor against Rod Blagojevich. Such misleading claims have surfaced on Ryan's social networking internet sites in recent days. Additionally, individuals have made reports to the ISRA-PVF that Ryan campaign staffers have made similar endorsement claims when questioned about Ryan's stands on issues important to law-abiding Illinois firearm owners.

The fact of the matter is, the ISRA-PVF declined to make an endorsement in the 2002 race for Illinois governor as neither the Republican candidate, Jim Ryan, nor his Democratic opponent, Rod Blagojevich, were deemed suitable for endorsement.

On September 13, 2002, the ISRA-PVF issued a press release explaining why Ryan had not been endorsed. The reason was very simple, Ryan could not commit to 4 basic issues important to Illinois hunters and sportsmen. Those issues were as follows: a commitment to build 6 recreational shooting ranges; a commitment to ensure that federal wildlife grants were used for their intended purposes; a commitment to expand hunting and fishing opportunities on state-owned lands; and a commitment to end the practice of playing the state's sportsmen as scapegoats for urban crime and violence.

When presented with this modest list of commitments, Ryan staffers summarily dismissed the request as "unrealistic," yet expressed their hope that Ryan would be endorsed by the ISRA-PVF nonetheless. When these same staffers later learned that Ryan would not be endorsed, they went public with wild allegations that the ISRA-PVF was trying to rope Ryan into supporting an extremist agenda.

"Some things never change," commented ISRA-PVF spokesman Richard Pearson. "The Ryan campaign's habit of bending the truth is one of them. In 2002 we heard them lie about why Ryan wasn't endorsed by us, now we hear them lie about receiving our endorsement. The truth is that firearm owners had no reason to vote for Ryan in 2002, and they certainly do not have any reason to vote for him in 2010."

The ISRA-PVF is a political action committee affiliated with the Illinois State Rifle Association. A copy of our report is on file with the Illinois State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois.

WEB SITE: http://www.isra-pvf.com

This press release is posted on PRNewswire.  

Posted Tue Dec 1 08:30:01 CST 2009

Michael Scott suicide brings another look at the hypocrisy of armed politicians in Chicago

...The big story was that this powerful, well-connected public official had, according to the Cook County medical examiner, committed suicide. The less-noticed story was that he did it with an illegal weapon.

After all, handgun ownership is not allowed in Chicago, which has one of the strictest gun control laws in the country, and Scott killed himself with a .380-caliber sidearm. ...

Read Steve Chapman's whole column in the Chicago Tribune. 

Posted Sat Nov 21 15:46:16 CST 2009

Veteran robbed, killed on way to deposit money from benefit

Army veteran William "Bill" Burtner survived Vietnam and dedicated his life to helping other veterans.

On Monday, Burtner was about to enter a Midlothian bank to deposit money the south suburb's Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2580 had raised during a benefit.

He never made it inside.

Burtner, 65, was assaulted and robbed outside the bank. He died Wednesday night at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn ...

Read the whole story @ Chicago Breaking News. 

Posted Thu Nov 19 21:33:28 CST 2009

Petitioner's Brief filed in McDonald v Chicago
On-going progress in ISRA's effort to overturn Chicago's gun-ban

Yesterday, the brief to the United States Supreme Court was filed in the case of McDonald v. Chicago, which challenges the constitutionality of that city’s ban on handguns.

The ISRA is joined by Second Amendment Foundation and 4 ISRA members in this suit. We are represented by attorney Alan Gura, who successfully argued the landmark Heller case before the high court in 2008, leading to a ruling that the Second Amendment affirms and protects an individual right to keep and bear arms beyond the scope of serving in a militia.

Oral arguments in the case are expected to be heard in February. Stay tuned for more details. Follow the case at ChicagoGunCase.com.

You can download the brief from ChicagoGunCase.com.  

Posted Tue Nov 17 12:10:50 CST 2009

State Rep. Annazette Collins robbed at gunpoint

An Illinois House member from Chicago’s West Side was robbed at gunpoint Sunday night while she and her sister were in front of their mother’s home in the South Shore neighborhood on the South Side.

Rep. Annazette Collins (D-Chicago) was not injured after the robbery in which her assailant grabbed her and held a gun to her head as he took her purse. ...

Read the whole story @ Chicago Sun-Times. 

Posted Mon Nov 16 20:40:25 CST 2009

THE DIGGINS DECISION HAS BEEN INCORRECTLY INTERPRETED BY MANY,
OPENING THE DOOR TO ARREST AND PROSECUTION
from ISRA Attorney Victor Quilici

Since People v. Diggins was decided by our State Supreme Court, a number of articles, commentaries and general blogging have circulated stating that guns can be easily and safely transported in motor vehicles in just about every manner possible, loaded, unloaded, and in some cases in fanny packs worn by drivers and/or passengers. Nothing can be further from the truth than those type of analysis.

To begin with, Diggins focuses on the language in the UUW statute that relates to “aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.” The State Supreme Court addressed the exemption provisions of Section 24-1.6 (c)(iii) which provides that a person is not guilty of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon if that weapon is “unloaded and encased in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container by a person who has been issued a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card.” The Court begins by noting:
“[W]e are asked to determine whether the center console of a vehicle is a ‘case’ within the meaning of this provision. For the reasons that follow, we conclude that it is.”

One of the first points the Supreme Court states was that a prior decision by the 4th District Court of Appeals was flawed when it held that a glove compartment was not a “case” within the meaning of the exemption language because a glove compartment is not portable.

Even though the Supreme Court made that observation, that does not mean that it ruled expressly that glove compartments are cases. While part of its analysis, it was not part of the Court’s decision. That determination must come in another decision, when the issue is squarely before the Court. Also, that observation may be quoted in future cases.

What is important in Diggins, is that the Supreme Court holds that a case does not have to be a container specific to a firearm and it need not be limited to something portable. The Court’s language is understandable to non-attorneys when it says:
“Unpersuaded by the State’s arguments, we conclude that the legislature used the broad general term ‘case’ unmodified. Giving the word ‘case’ its plain and ordinary meaning, as we must, permits but one conclusion: the term ‘case’ in Section 24-1.6 (c)(iii) includes any portable or non-portable receptacle and need not be interpreted only in reference to firearms.
. . . Based on the foregoing, we find, in the case at bar that a center console of a vehicle falls within the ordinary definition of case.
. . . Whether the statute is wise or the best means to achieve the desired result are matters left to the legislature, not the court.”

Special Note from the ISRA Webmaster: This analysis is not to be construed as legal advice. Please consult with your own attorney for such advice.

Posted Sun Nov 15 18:53:16 CST 2009

WARNING TO ALL MEMBERS REGARDING
HOSPITALIZATION AND DOMESTIC DISPUTES

Recent Illinois Law (PA 95-0564) provides that health care professionals report patients to the state police anyone that they believe might pose a danger to themselves or others. ISRA has learned of situations where a party has been admitted to a hospital for stress, alcohol treatment, or other scenarios where part of the admission procedure included a short interview with a psychologist on staff. Questions asked, include gun ownership, and/or the Possession of a FOID card. Within a few weeks that individual receives a notice from the Illinois State Police revoking his or her FOID.

Obviously, when being interviewed by somebody in a hospital setting, ask if he or she is a psychiatrist or a psychologist, who you don’t have to communicate with. And, be sure what information you are willing to disclose to any interviewer. Of course, you should not lie, but a simple refusal to disclose gun ownership may be enough to avoid the problem.

If you think you may be in a situation where the justice system may become involved with restricting your ownership of firearms, such as when facing hospitalization, or in a domestic dispute, unless caught up in an emergency situation, be sure to have your firearms removed from the home as quickly as possible, in the care of a friend or family member who possesses a FOID, and who lives a good distance from your residence. Also, advise your spouse or other party who shares the home with you that you have done so. Most importantly, in any court setting, you will then be able to assure the Judge, that although you possess a FOID, you have removed all firearms from within the home.

These tips can save your firearms from being confiscated and/or your FOID being revoked. ISRA is working to solve these problems, both legislatively, and through litigation.

Posted Sun Nov 15 16:02:27 CST 2009

Home invader charged in the death of his accomplice

A 21-year-old man was charged with murder today, accused by police of participating in a Little Village home invasion Monday that left his accomplice shot to death.

The incident happened just before 4:30 a.m. in a home near 21st Street and California Avenue. Officers who responded to the scene found a 36-year-old man -- later identified as Carlos Plascencia -- dead with a gunshot to the head.

Police say Plascencia and Ramiro Garcia, 23, of the 2600 block of South Spaulding Avenue forced their way into the residence.

"The victim, in fear of his life, fired shots during the course of the home invasion" hitting Plascencia, according to a police statement. Garcia allegedly fled and was arrested a short time later. ...

Read the whole story @ Chicago Breaking News. 

Posted Fri Nov 13 21:01:03 CST 2009

Surprise! Disarming victims ends badly

When Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan started shooting up the Soldier Readiness Processing Center at Fort Hood, Pfc. Marquest Smith dove under a desk. The Associated Press reported that "he lay low for several minutes, waiting for the shooter to run out of ammunition and wishing he, too, had a gun."

Neither Smith nor the other victims of Hasan's assault had guns because soldiers on military bases within the United States generally are not allowed to carry them. Last week's shootings, which killed 13 people and wounded more than 30, demonstrated once again the folly of "gun-free zones," which attract and assist people bent on mass murder instead of deterring them. ...

Read rest of this commentary at Chicago Sun-Times.  

Posted Wed Nov 11 12:56:57 CST 2009

"Lock, Stock & Barrel: Understanding the Firearms Industry"

For more than 200 years, America's firearms industry has made products that have been part of our country’s great tradition of freedom, self-reliance and enjoyment of the outdoors. "Lock, Stock and Barrel: Understanding the Firearms Industry" is a 15-minute video from the National Shooting Sports Foundation that covers the history, operation and regulation of the firearms industry.

View on YouTube: Part 1 (6 minutes) and Part 2 (10 minutes)

Visit the NSSF's YouTube Channel here.

Posted Wed Nov 11 02:19:56 CST 2009

Illinois State Police and Department of Natural Resources Open Range Program November 14

The Illinois State Police, in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources, is opening its firing ranges in Joliet, Pontiac, Pawnee, Effingham, Pecatonica and LaSalle to hunters from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 14 for sighting in and test-firing guns. Any firearm that is legal for deer hunting, which includes shotguns, muzzle loaders, center fire revolvers and center fire handguns, is included.

Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling ahead to the state police district offices. Targets will be provided. There's no charge for use of the range.

Participants must have a valid firearm owner ID card and transport the firearm legally by having it unloaded and in a case.

Thanks to State Senator Dan Rutherford for alerting us to this program.

Read the ISP's Press Release or see the ISRA's Calendar Entry.

Posted Thu Nov 5 14:09:21 CST 2009

Winning numbers for the ISRA Legislative Drawing

1st prize – 3519 – Lewis Machine & Tool AR15 6.8mm caliber
2nd Prize – 0820 – Detonics Combat Master .45 Caliber Pistol
3rd Prize – 0982 – Ruger 1022 Match Rifle & Scope
4th Prize – 4067 – Nikon “Cool Pix” hunting camera system
5th Prize – 3742 - Alpen 8 x 42 Binoculars
6th Prize – 1157 – Remington “Old Mike” hunting figurine
7th Prize – 1551 – Boyt Harness camo gun case
8th Prize – 4927 – Boyt Harness shell carrier
9th Prize – 2371 – Do – All Trap (clay bird thrower)
10th Prize- 1968 – Deer Camp Surprise puzzle from Winchester

The winners are being contacted, but if you see that you are a winner, you need not wait: call the ISRA office at 815-635-3198.

Posted Mon Nov 2 17:04:14 CST 2009

"Moderate" Republican candidate for NY Congressional seat withdraws from collapsing support, endorses Democrat in the race

The gulf between the moderate and conservative factions of the Republican Party appeared to spread Sunday when the Republican former candidate in a contentious congressional race endorsed the Democrat.

New York State Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava's decision was essentially a rebuke of conservative activists who had mounted a wildcat effort to ensure her defeat. She had ended her campaign a day earlier after it became clear she could not win Tuesday's special election.

It remained uncertain, however, whether her endorsement could tilt the race toward Democrat Bill Owens. Polls show him running neck and neck with third-party candidate Doug Hoffman, who is on the Conservative Party ticket. Even before Scozzafava's withdrawal, Hoffman had been endorsed by such Republican luminaries as Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh and former presidential candidate Steve Forbes. ...

Read the whole story in the LA Times. 

Posted Mon Nov 2 06:52:47 CST 2009

State Court in NJ says Americans have no right to buy a handgun

In a case decided last week, the superior court upheld a state law saying that nobody may possess "any handgun" without obtaining law enforcement approval and permission in advance.

That outcome might seem like something of a surprise, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year in the D.C. v. Heller case that the Second Amendment guarantees "the individual right to possess and carry weapons in case of confrontation."

But New Jersey Appellate Division Judge Stephen Skillman wrote on behalf of a unanimous three-judge panel that Heller "has no impact upon the constitutionality of" the state law. ...

Read the whole story @ CBS News. 

Posted Sat Oct 31 08:18:21 CST 2009

Early prisoner releases planned in Illinois
Is your neighborhood going to be an extension of prison?

As the state prepares to release about 1,000 inmates from prison up to a year early, parole agents across Illinois are making unannounced visits to select homes, checking for overcrowding, drug paraphernalia and vicious dogs that could hamper future inspections.

After determining there is adequate space for an inmate, the agents stress to residents that their homes are in for a drastic change.

"I make sure they understand their house is now an extension of prison," Matt Lukow, an agent, explained. ...

Read the whole story in Chicago Breaking News. 

Posted Thu Oct 29 22:14:53 CST 2009

Carail Weeks sentenced to 150 years in Englewood shooting death

Carail Weeks, 28, was convicted last month of the slaying of Starkesia Reed and the attempted murders of two drug dealers who were the intended targets. Reed, a promising Harper High School student, was inside her home preparing for school when a bullet from Weeks' AK-47 style rifled crashed through a front window in March 2006 and struck her in the head, killing her almost instantly.

Weeks' first trial in December 2008 ended in a mistrial after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict ...

Read the whole story at Chicago Breaking News.

Posted Thu Oct 29 22:20:57 CST 2009

Supreme Court upholds ruling on Peoria gun case

PEORIA — The state Supreme Court upheld Thursday a lower court ruling on a Peoria case that could change the way police handle people caught with guns in their cars.

The High Court held that transporting a weapon in a car’s center console falls under the definition of a “case” according to Illinois law, and as such, Michael Diggins, 37, of Peoria, who was arrested March 24, 2006, for having two unloaded handguns as well as ammunition in the car’s center console, should get a new trial. ...

Read the whole story in the Peoria Journal Star 

Posted Thu Oct 8 20:24:30 CDT 2009

What's the ISRA done for me this week?

On 8 October 2009, the Illinois Supreme Court issued a unanimous opinion on the People v. Diggins case.

Because this matter concerned an interpretation of how a firearm can be transported legally within Illinois, the ISRA felt it was important that certain points be brought before the court in order to clarify the legislatures' intent at the time the law was debated.

With the ISRA's knowledge of the legislative history pertaining to this part of the Criminal Code, ISRA's attorney, Victor D. Quilici filed an Amicus Brief, (friend of the court), with the above purpose in mind.

The ISRA is pleased with the Court's decision which we feel is in line with the legislature's original intent.

Thanks especially go out to Tiffany Ritchie Esq. of the Schrier & Ritchie law firm in Peoria, Illinois who handled the case and its arguments including the oral argument before the Supreme Court. Tiffany did a spectacular job in her briefs and arguments and we were very happy to be associated in her case.

For a more technical analysis of the decision, please see below.

Commentary about the IL Supreme Court Decision People v. Diggins
from ISRA Attorney Victor Quilici

In a unanimous opinion by the Illinois Supreme Court in People v. Diggins No. 106367, the Court has held: "Section 24-1.6{c}{iii} of the Criminal Code of 1961 provides that a person is not guilty of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon if that weapon is “unloaded and enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container by a person who has been issued a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card.' 720 ILCS 5/24-1.6{c}{iii} (West 2006).

In the case at bar, we are asked to determine whether the center console of a vehicle is a 'case' within the meaning of this provision. . .[W]e conclude that it is." An Amicus Brief (Friend of the Court) was filed by ISRA attorney Victor D. Quilici. The principal object of the brief was to thwart the argument by the State regarding legislative intent. Other arguments in the amicus brief addressed matters pertaining to the split decisions in the various districts in Illinois.

Also, ISRA' amicus agreed with the Appellate Court's opinion that the plain meaning of the Statute did not mean a "case" or "other container" had to be portable, as a leading case relied on by the State had held.

The Supreme Court has clearly held that the center console in a motor vehicle is a "case" within the meaning of section 24-1.6(c)(iii). That section contains the exemption language regarding transportation of firearms. The Supreme Court found that the term "case" in the cited statutory section includes any portable or non-portable receptacle and need not be interpreted solely to firearms.

Thus, the Supreme Court also rejected the State's contention that the meaning of the language was to be interpreted in light of the Wildlife code definition of "case" which would limit it to a "firearm case" that is portable. The Court made it clear that it did not need to rely on legislative intent and that the answer was in the plain meaning of the statute. The Court ordered the case to be remanded --that is, in this case sending it back to retry on factual matter. The Supreme Court is asking that a new trial be held to determine the question of whether or not the center console was "enclosed" and by that the Court is sayings the center console must be closed.

The Supreme Court points out that in the initial trial of the case, the Defendant, Diggins, and his passenger alleged that the center console was "closed "(actually testifying it was also locked) and the police officer testified that the console was "ajar." Therefore, that issue of whether or not the center console was closed still would be viable and one to be tried by the jury upon remand of the case for further proceedings.

Regardless of the outcome of the case upon re-trial, the decision of the Supreme Court that a center console is a "case" within the meaning of the statute's exemption language is clear and unequivocal ISRA counsel notes that the major credit should go to Tiffany Ritchie of the Schrier & Ritchie law firm in Peoria, Illinois, that handled the case in the trial court on up, especially attorney Tiffany Ritchie, who delivered a great argument before the Supreme Court

Special Note from the ISRA Webmaster:
This analysis of this court case, People v Diggins, is not to be construed as legal advice. Please consult with your own attorney for such advice.

Posted Thu Oct 8 20:17:35 CDT 2009
Edited Mon Oct 12 20:10:22 CDT 2009

U.S. SUPREME COURT TO HEAR 2ND AMENDMENT CHALLENGE TO CHICAGO GUN BAN

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court announced today that it will hear the case of McDonald v. City of Chicago, and decide whether the right to keep and bear arms secured by the Second Amendment protects Americans from overreaching state and local governments.

At issue is a 27-year-old Chicago law banning handguns, requiring the annual taxation of firearms, and otherwise interfering with the right of law-abiding individuals to keep guns at home for self-defense. The case was brought on behalf of four Chicago residents, the Second Amendment Foundation, and the Illinois State Rifle Association.

Last year, in the landmark case of District of Columbia v. Heller, the Supreme Court held that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to keep and bear arms. However, as that case concerned the actions of the District of Columbia government, a federal entity, the high court was not called upon to decide whether the right bound states and local governments. Over the years, almost the entire Bill of Rights has been held to apply to state and local governments by operation of the Fourteenth Amendment.

“The freedoms we enjoy as Americans are secured to us against violation by all levels of government,” noted Alan Gura, of Gura & Possessky, PLLC, lead counsel for the McDonald plaintiffs. “State and local politicians should be on notice: the Second Amendment is a normal part of the Bill of Rights, and it is coming to your town.”

Otis McDonald, a Chicago resident since 1952 who led the fight to integrate his union local in the 1960s and is a plaintiff in the case, welcomed the news.

“I am grateful the Supreme Court has agreed to hear this case,” McDonald said. “I now pray that the Court secures me and all other law-abiding citizens the right to defend ourselves and our families.”

SAF founder Alan Gottlieb said the case is of paramount importance to American citizens, to see that their constitutional rights are respected not only by the Congress, but by state and local governments.

“SAF was delighted to bring this case in cooperation with the Illinois State Rifle Association and the four local plaintiffs because a gun ban is no less onerous to civil rights in Chicago than it was in the District of Columbia,” Gottlieb observed. “Such a law cannot be allowed to stand unchallenged.”

Chicago attorney David Sigale commented, “The City of Chicago cannot take from millions of Americans the fundamental freedom of self-defense in one’s own home. We are confident the Court will stand on the side of the law-abiding citizens and the Bill of Rights.”

“We’re pleased to hear that the Supreme Court has decided to take a look at Chicago’s gun laws,” added ISRA President Don Moran. “In this time of economic uncertainty and increasing lawlessness, the good people of Chicago ought not have to choose between violating Chicago’s gun ban, and protecting themselves and their loved ones.”

The Chicago gun ban challenge will likely be among the most closely watched constitutional law cases in decades. At stake is not just the question of whether the Second Amendment secures the right to arms against state and local governments, but also the extent to which the Supreme Court preserves individual liberty against encroachment by state and local governments.

Oral argument will possibly be scheduled early this coming winter, with a decision expected by June 2010. Gura will argue the case on behalf of the McDonald plaintiffs. ...

Posted Wed Sep 30 22:24:08 CDT 2009

Chicago Alderman Burke says that Chicago's gun ban makes criminals out of honest citizens
speaks out against City's Police Committee plan for mandatory minimum sentencing

... the City Council’s Police Committee voted to change that at the behest of West Side aldermen fed up with a rash of summer shootings.

The ordinance championed by Police Committee Chairman Isaac Carothers (29th) includes graduated mandatory minimums to minimize jail overcrowding and avoid scaring judges into letting offenders off completely.

The new penalties would be five days in jail for the first offense, 15 days for the second offense and 30 days for the third, with a maximum prison sentence of six months. Fines for carrying illegal handguns would rise from $200 to $300 ...

Read the whole story in the Sun Times. 

Posted Sat Sep 5 08:30:45 CDT 2009

Chicago's annual gun turn-in falls flat

The number of firearms brought in under the City of Chicago's annual gun turn-in program, 1887, was far less than that of previous years. Last year's total was 6800 guns.

Why the big drop? For starters, the city was only offering $50 for most firearms, vs $100 in past years. So called "assault weapons" were deemed the only ones to result in a $100 gift card to the person who turned it in. Seems that the recession has impacted the donors who provide the funds for the gift cards, so the city decided to cut the amount offered.

Given the current fears about crime and the economy, gun sales are still through the roof and firearms have an increased perceived value to their owners. People are holding onto their guns.

Posted Sun Aug 16 16:03:27 CDT 2009

225 people shot in Chicago in the first 30 days of July
42 of those were fatalities
Chicago's handgun ban remains in place

excerpt:
The South and West sides bore the brunt of the violence. While Washington Park may be the site of a grand Olympic stadium that will place Chicago on the world map in a whole new way, this July the neighborhoods surrounding the park have been the site of 31 shootings.

A total of four people were killed and four more were injured in six shootings within a mile radius of the park in July. Broadening to a two-mile radius, the number increases to eight dead and 37 injured.

Chicago 2016 officials were not immediately available to discuss whether the International Olympic Committee had addressed the spate of violence that has rocked the city ...

Read the whole story @ cbs2chicago.  

Posted Mon Aug 3 22:59:30 CDT 2009

Peoria Area Police:
"Concealed-carry law would deter criminals"

excerpt:
For many who oppose concealed-carry, one of the biggest fears is seeing their state become the Wild West.

"To me, the best statistic is 48 states have passed a law and no one has repealed it," Settingsgaard said. "There are 48 examples of states that have not become the Wild West."

Papis scoffs at the notion that concealed-carry would flood the streets with additional guns.

"Rest assured, there are plenty of weapons out there - mostly in the hands of people who shouldn't have them or aren't licensed to have them," he said. ...

Read the whole story in the Peoria Journal-Star. 

Posted Mon Jul 20 19:51:50 CDT 2009

Supreme Court Weigh-In
Led by Texas, the Attorneys General from 33 states file a Amicus Curiae brief in support of ISRA's lawsuit challenging Chicago's handgun ban. California's AG Jerry Brown files his own brief in support.

The ISRA's case: McDonald v Chicago, has had petitions filed to be heard before the United States Supreme Court, as has the NRA's case.

The Attorneys General from 34 states have indicated their support in two "Friend of the Court" briefs that have been filed that urge the Supreme Court to hear the ISRA's case, as well as the NRA's case. Besides Texas, the other states indicating their support are: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Note that California indicated their support through their own amicus brief field by AG and Former Governor Jerry Brown.

The United States Supreme Court is expected to decide whether or not to hear the case when the new session starts in autumm.

Follow the status of this case, and read all the case filings at ChicagoGunCase.com  

Posted Thu Jul 9 08:33:44 CDT 2009

"Appeals court upholds Chicago's strict gun laws"
really means: ISRA's suit goes to the Supreme Court

excerpt:
Until the middle of the 20th century, most parts of the Bill of Rights applied only to the federal government, not to states or localities. In a step-by-step process, however, the high court decided that most of the rights in the Bill of Rights were fundamental to liberty and, therefore, limit the action of states and municipalities.

There are exceptions. For example, the 5th Amendment says persons can be charged with a serious crime only by "indictment of a grand jury," but this right was not extended to the states.

Gun-rights advocates have been focused on the issue since last year's high court ruling.

"We believe it is time for this issue to be decided," said Alan Gura, a Virginia lawyer who won the D.C. gun case last year. He said he would file a petition in the Supreme Court seeking a review of the Chicago ruling.

Gura represented four gun owners who are challenging the near ban on private handguns in Chicago. In April, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco came to the opposite conclusion on the 2nd Amendment. Its judges said that because the right to bear arms is a fundamental right, it should apply to local and state ordinances. ...

Read the whole story in the LA Times. 

Posted Thu Jun 4 08:19:11 CDT 2009

Illinois Congressman Bobby Rush files anti gun bill on the first day in session
Bill would enact national gun licensing ala FOID.

Quoting Jeff Knox:
"Representative Bobby Rush (D-IL) filed a comprehensive anti-gun wish-list bill in the 111th Congress on its first day in session. No sooner were the new members of Congress sworn in than Mr. Rush, a former Black Panther leader, file his bill which he calls the "Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009". The bill has no cosponsors and was automatically referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

If passed, this bill would require that anyone wishing to purchase, own, or possess a "qualifying firearm" - that's any handgun, and any long gun capable of accepting a detachable magazine - would have to be licensed by the state or the federal government in a licensing program managed by the Attorney General. To get a license you would have to prove you're you, provide a passport-style photo, a thumbprint, and take a written exam which includes questions about firearms safety, safe storage, the risks of firearms ownership, and anything else the Attorney General deems appropriate. All transfers would be required to go through a licensed dealer with the exception of occasional gifts or bequests between parents, children (18 or over), and grandparents, or loans of not more than 30 days between "persons who are personally known to one another." (It actually says that. I'm not making this up.) And all transfers would have to be recorded in a "Transfer Record" established and maintained by the Attorney General. " ...

Read the whole story at the Firearms Coalition.

You can look at the submitted legislation at the U.S. Government Printing Office website.

Posted Thu Jan 15 20:30:49 CST 2009

SAF Press Release:
SAF Files Lawsuit Challenging Chicago's Handgun Ban

BELLEVUE, WA – Following Thursday’s 5-4 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of District of Columbia v. Heller that the Second Amendment protects an individual civil right to keep and bear arms, and that a municipal gun ban violates that right, the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) filed a federal lawsuit challenging the City of Chicago’s long-standing handgun ban. The case is McDonald v. City of Chicago.

“Chicago’s handgun ban has failed to stop violent crime,” SAF founder Alan Gottlieb stated. “It’s time to give the Constitution a chance.”

In addition to SAF and ISRA, plaintiffs include Chicago residents Otis McDonald, a retiree who has been working with police to rid his neighborhood of drug dealers, and who wants to have a handgun at his home; Adam Orlov, a former Evanston police officer; software engineer David Lawson and his wife, Colleen, a hypnotherapist, whose home has been targeted by burglars. Attorney Alan Gura, who argued the District of Columbia challenge before the high court, and Chicago area attorney David G. Sigale, represent the plaintiffs ...

Read the whole press release at Second Amendment Foundation.

Posted Fri Jun 27 07:54:49 CDT 2008

Follow the Chicago 2nd Amendment Suit

Learn more and follow along at ChicagoGunCase.com.

Posted Fri Jun 27 00:27:31 CDT 2008