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I am a lobbyist for the
Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA), and right now I’m looking at a list of
over 105 bills that have been introduced into the Illinois legislature. Every
one of these bills, if passed into law, undoubtedly will profoundly affect our
rights to hunt, fish, or own a firearm. This affect may be positive or negative.
Some bills would require us to register some of our guns with other requirements
to surely follow; some would make it easier for the law-abiding citizen to own
firearms; some would make more hunting land available. A few would all but wipe
out firearm ownership.
The average guy or gal sitting in a duck blind or in a tree stand does not
understand that there are lawmakers just waiting for the chance to wipe out
their way of life. They do not understand that their son or daughter may never
be able to enjoy the freedoms or experiences they have had. What could change
all of this that we have taken for granted as our birthright? The answer is
insidiously simple – a few little words changed here and there in the laws of
Illinois. Over time, if allowed to happen, we would all be amazed at how quickly
our freedoms would disappear.
To keep from losing our freedoms, somebody must attend every committee hearing
on every bill; somebody must talk to almost every legislator before they vote;
somebody must read every bill and have the foresight to understand every word,
every sentence, and every nuance, and be able to interpret its short and
long-term consequences. Someone must attend every committee hearing, give
testimony, and represent the gun owners and sportsmen in this state. Someone
must meet every day to discuss what is coming up that day, that week, and that
month. Let’s do some simple calculations – say there are 177 legislators, 100
bills, and it is necessary to meet and talk with each legislator before they
vote. If I’m good in math, that’s 17,700 contacts. In addition, contacts must be
made with staff people, secretaries, researchers, et cetera.
Who is there to make sure that next year we will be able to see our kid or grand
kid climb onto a tree stand for the first time? That our spouses will be able to
defend themselves in their own houses? That we will be able to go target
shooting? So, who do you think is fighting for you? Who pays for all of this and
does the work?
That someone is the ILLINOIS STATE RIFLE ASSOCIATION, that’s who. We’ve been in
the forefront defending our gun rights for over 100 years, and will continue
defending the Second Amendment for many years to come. The ISRA maintains two
lobbyists in Springfield, and that means the ISRA pays for their travel,
lodging, and meetings. We do work side by side with the NRA, who has one
contract lobbyist, who is also an ISRA member. We work together to be sure that
what we take for granted will be there tomorrow, the next day, the next year,
and the year after.
Now, we need your help and support to kept the ISRA in the fight – we need you
to join the ISRA and become an active member; dues and donations are our only
sources of income. If you are not already an ISRA member, join today. Benjamin
Franklin once stated that, “if we don’t all hang together, surely we will all
hang separately,” can certainly be applied to all of us.
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