Lookee what i found on the ICHV website!

[gravyboy77]

At least now we know why HB758 failed.....They thought they had the votes, but a few legislators changed their vote because of the calls, faxes and e-mails from us. I guess thats what happens when that pesky "vocal and intimidating minority" gets involved.

 

From the ICHV:http://www.ichv.org/ichvinsights.htm (I didn't want to hotlink them)

 

Republican House Members Stay Silent When It Comes to Preventing Gun Violence

 

Take a close look at the Illinois legislature these days, and you'll find the reason why several promising gun control bills have been defeated in the House this month.

 

In the last couple of weeks, House Republicans from the suburban Chicago area prevented three key bills from moving forward in Springfield. In particular, 16 House Republicans from the suburbs voted against legislation that would have mandated criminal background checks on handgun sales and prohibited the sale of no more than one handgun a month. In addition, they also voted against another important measure. Currently, Illinois law states that parents are required to safely store firearms so that they are not accessible to children and teens under the age of 14. Another bill would raise that standard to the age of 18.

 

We need to be absolutely clear about what happened here. This is not a planned uprising among Republicans in favor of specific pieces of gun legislation. It is, rather, a damaging blow against what voters want - a blow largely caused by phone calls and emails delivered repeatedly by the NRA. During this legislative session, House Republicans from suburban Chicago have made decisions on the gun issue based on calls from a vocal and intimidating minority.

 

If you are from Lake, McHenry, Cook, DuPage, Kane and Will Counties, it's likely that a legislator who caved to pressure tactics on bills aiming to reduce gun violence represents your county.

 

In a month when the deadly impact of guns is a major story in the news, this story is especially ironic. In Chicago alone during the weekend of April 18-20, 32 people were shot and 6 were killed. We should add, however, that this news is not especially surprising - one could come up with a list of deadly, and often preventable, gun-related tragedies in Illinois every month of the year.

 

We strongly believe that bills cited above are a positive example of measures that can make a difference in the lives of families and communities. Now, let's take a closer look. Keep in mind the following:

 

 

House Republicans, in all of these cases, were simply responding to a group that does not represent their constituency

Despite the fears of various legislators, it is important to remember that there is absolutely no proof voting against the NRA in suburban Chicago has hurt an elected official's chances to be elected

A 2007 poll conducted by the Illinois Campaign to Prevention Gun Violence, has demonstrated strong support for gun control measures in Illinois

None of these laws would impact law-abiding gun owners or threaten their rights in any way

In the case of one bill (HB0758, which mandates universal background checks), two votes from House Republican voters in the suburbs would have helped pass the bill out of the House

None of the House Republicans from the suburbs -- not one of them -- spoke out against the universal background check bill during a debate in the House.

 

We can place the loss of key pieces of legislation that aim to reduce gun violence squarely at the feet of these legislators:

 

Suzanne Bassi

Mark Beaubien, Jr.

Patricia Bellock

Bob Biggins

Franco Coladipietro

Sandy Cole

Tom Cross (House Republican Leader)

Mike Fortner

Brent Hassert

Renee Kosel

JoAnn Osmond

Sandy Pihos

Harry Ramey

Dennis Reboletti

Tim Schmitz

Mike Tryon

 

 

Intelligence from several sources indicated that at least ten Republicans would support the bill on universal background checks.

 

Also, we believe it is important to note that Senate Republicans have been more supportive than their House counterparts various measures designed to reduce violence in the course of this General Assembly.

 

What's Next

 

A couple of things are "next."

 

First, it will be critical for us to get out the word to these legislators and the public that we disagree strongly with these votes. One of the most powerful ways to do that, of course, is by making sure that people who are voting this November know all about how their local legislator failed to support legislation designed to make our communities safer. We can, for example, contact the media. We can encourage local media to ask legislators serious questions; perhaps they can ask them how many of the people sending emails and making phone calls to them on gun legislation are actually from their district.

 

We also urge constituents of suburban Chicago legislators to contact them in the next week -- and ask them why they don't support consistent criminal background checks and other key measures. What their recent vote on universal background checks does is make it easier for prohibited people to find ways to buy guns.

 

We need to call our legislators - not just once, but many times.

 

How we communicate what is at stake here in the coming months - and years - is critical. We can play a major role in raising public awareness about the impact of gun violence.

 

Let's face reality: The people who oppose bills that could reduce gun violence may feel, however wrongly, that they have something to lose because they are gun owners. They are highly motivated. Meanwhile, there are many other issues that may be more immediate to most citizens - like education, health care or the price of gas. What we know, however, is the evidence that is right in front of us: 30,000 Americans die from gun wounds every year. We have no doubt that that number can be reduced in a major way - and that, together, we can raise awareness in a way that makes a difference.

 

Good News

 

During this legislative session, one bill we supported received unanimous support in the House: HB4628. The bill focuses on what should happen when a child kills someone with a gun that was owned by an adult. If the bill becomes law, adults who are responsible for "selling or giving a concealable firearm" to a person under 18 years of age could face murder charges (adults in this case can include gun dealers). Currently, adults can face up to three years in prison.

 

It's important to note here that HB4628 is a bill that received support from both sides, which shows that sometimes wide-ranging agreement can happen on gun-related bill. At a time when more and more teens are being killed by guns, this measure tries to focus on adults who may be providing those guns.

 

HB4628 is now in the Illinois Senate.

 

We urge people to contact state senators and support this measure. The senate sponsors are Kwame Raoul (D-13th District) and Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-16th District).

 

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us via email at info@ichv.org

 

Thank you for your support and dedication to reducing gun violence.

[Lou]

I wonder if the ICHV realizes that the people who made those calls are something called "voters" and those calls were made to people called "representatives" and they oddly enough did what they were elected to do; represent the will of the voters that put them there?

 

What a revolting development that is!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

HB4628 passed the house 107-0. It increases penalties for the misuse of a firearm.

See, there are things we can agree on.

[GWBH]

Someone has their panties in a bunch...

[Slappy]

Am I the only one thats proud to be from the "vocal and intimidating minority" ???

 

[c-rock]

Cry me a river.

[phishboy66]

Letters, calls and faxes from the NRA? My behind!! These were from the people, by the people and for the people!!

 

ichv--Bite me!

[ishmo]

I've been called a lot of things in my life but "vocal and intimidating minority" really gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Think I'll go send a few more emails since I'm also "highly motivated"

[Don Gwinn]

They lost because the other side had voters making phone calls and emails?

 

In other news, the Cubs lost the other day because the other team scored more runs than they did. The Bulls had a great shot at the NBA championship, but the other teams keep throwing the ball through the basket. Often they go so far as to defend the other basket so that the Bulls players can't throw the ball through themselves.

 

Something must be done!

 

 

Seriously, why would they admit to this? Are they really so tone deaf as to think that this makes them look better?

[ilphil]

Did it ever occur to these dolts that the reason reps like mine voted against these totally useless laws is because the people they represent oppose them? Not to mention voting them down is the RIGHT thing to do.

 

I'm damn proud to see my rep (JoAnn Osmond) on their list!!

[45superman]

Seriously, why would they admit to this? Are they really so tone deaf as to think that this makes them look better?

 

I think they're trying to make the claim that the amount of pressure they received is all out of proportion to the voting power of the "vocal and intimidating minority," so the Reps. shouldn't worry about voting against us.

 

My guess is that most, if not all, of the legislators know better.

 

One thing I find interesting is that they have apparently written off the downstate Democrats altogether. They weep and wail about suburban Republicans, but don't make a peep about Democratic Reps. like mine (Jay Hoffman).

 

They're not even trying to make a secret of the fact that they think Chicagoland should rule the entire state.

[45superman]

By the way, ThirdPower did a nice job on 'em.

[MWG321]

They also urged voters to show who they support in November. I sure will! And not for who they think! Call me young and dumb, but I smell a change coming(even if it's small).

[GWBH]

By the way, ThirdPower did a nice job on 'em.

 

Yes he did - good job there 3X...

[anonymous too]

House Republicans from suburban Chicago have made decisions on the gun issue based on calls from a vocal and intimidating minority.

 

Hmmmmm........who was the minority in Naperville?

[snooter]

By the way, ThirdPower did a nice job on 'em.

 

Yes he did - good job there 3X...

 

 

im a hated activist..damn that gives me a warm feeling inside to know how much i am hated...i love it....please call me more names..yea i agree..we beat em and they are mad....good to see it on the other side for once

[dan]

I am so proud to see my Rep Renee Kosel on the list. She is a strong and very intelligent person. All the neighbors that I talk to have the same feelings about guns as I do, so I do not know where this group got their information from. She voted as her people would have voted. The line "vocal and intimidating minority" is kind of funny. I never thought of myself as that powerful. I am just a normal guy protecting himself and his family just like the majority of people out there. :lips sealed:

[lockman]

I left ICHV a response that it was not the NRA that was behind the outcome on the bills, it was ME, a Kane county resident calling my local legislator and having a reasoned discussion with him about the measures. A few hundred other residents and myself calling our representatives and making our positions known are what made the difference. I was not called by the NRA, nor the ISRA. I was stirred to action by the fellowship of other civil rights guardians like those found within the pages of this forum.

[lockman]

Dan, your avatar looks like the Fort Lock Company logo.

[dan]

Dan, your avatar looks like the Fort Lock Company logo.

It is the Army Engineers logo. I was a Combat Engineer for a few years 25 years ago. As long as they think that the NRA is doing this they won't bother with us. Looks like when we stick together and focus on an issue we can organize pretty well kinda like a Militia I guess!

[Gary]

[45superman]

I just had a thought about the following sentence from ICHV's whining:

 

If you are from Lake, McHenry, Cook, DuPage, Kane and Will Counties, it's likely that a legislator who caved to pressure tactics on bills aiming to reduce gun violence represents your county.

 

Why did I emphasize McHenry? Because of McHenry passing the pro-2A resolution on April 15th--unanimously.

 

Still, though, maybe it's a small board, with just a few members, so maybe just a couple "pro-gun extremists" () ramrodded it through the county board process--nope :

 

The resolution, passed by a 23-0 vote, states the board objects to "the enactment of any legislation that would infringe upon the right of the people to keep and bear arms" . . .

 

So, if Tryon (the McHenry County legislator who voted against HB 758) voted against the will of the people of McHenry County, the people certainly seem to have chosen their county board members (almost two dozen of them) oddly.

 

Seems to me that the only McHenry County legislator who voted against the will of the people is Rep. Jack Franks, who voted for HB 758.

[ishmo]

Seems to me that the only McHenry County legislator who voted against the will of the people is Rep. Jack Franks, who voted for HB 758.

Maybe he'll see the light and realize if he wants to keep feeding at the public trough and building up his pension he better starting voting the way the people who elected him think he should.

[45superman]

Is SB 1007 the only gun bill ICHV is continuing to hold out hope for this spring? Kinda seems that way.

 

ICHV Legislative Update

 

April 30, 2008

 

In our last legislative update, we talked about what happened with a few bills we lost. We urged you to contact legislators who didn�t support those bills, in order to voice your opinions about their votes. Now, we also want to make sure that we thank people who did support us.

 

It is important to mention that in many cases, even when we fall short on House or Senate votes, we still receive considerable support from a wide range of legislators.

 

For example, consider HB0758, which mandates universal background checks for people who want to purchase handguns. We needed to get 60 votes on this measure. In the end, 58 legislators voted "Yea" and 58 legislators voted "Nay."

 

We urge you to contact the many legislators who supported this measure. All you have to do is click on the link below and you�ll find a list that indicates how specific legislators voted. This list is actually the roll call in the General Assembly for this piece of legislation, which was taken earlier this month:

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ROLL CALL

 

This vote, of course, not only shows just how many legislators supported us � but also how critical one or two votes can be.

 

Other Measures May Be Considered

 

SB 1007 -- a measure that would prohibit the sale of high capacity ammunition magazines.

 

This bill has already passed through the Senate and a House Committee. It is currently in a position to be voted on by the entire House.

 

HB4553 -- This measure, the Community Youth Employment Act, provides that the state�s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will create a competitive grants program for 2,500 Illinois youth. Through the program, youth will receive stipends and supervision over a six-week summer work period. Community-based organizations would administer the program, which would reach youth in low-income communities.

 

The bill sets forth criteria for receiving grants under the Act. This program has merit, according to ICHV, because it can help reduce gun violence by providing positive opportunities for youth � opportunities that might not otherwise exist. Youth who don�t have opportunities, especially in the summer, are more likely to engage in dangerous behaviors that might include getting involved with guns.

 

HB 4553 has passed the House of Representatives and is currently in the Senate Rules Committee.

 

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us via email at info@ichv.org.

 

Thank you for your support and dedication to reducing gun violence.

 

The only other bill they talk about has nothing to do with guns. In fact, it might be worthwhile for us to get behind that one, if only to counter the offensive accusation that we're "indifferent to the violence."

[45superman]

This letter to the editor (of the Daily Herald) is from not the ICHV, but from the legal director of LCAV/ICPGV--my apologies if it has already been posted.

 

Disappointed in DuPage legislators

 

On April 16, the 1-year anniversary of the Virginia Tech shooting, the Illinois House defeated HB 758, a bill to require anyone who wants to own a handgun in the state to pass a background check first.

 

This common sense measure would help curb easy access to guns by dangerous individuals.

 

DuPage County legislators voting against the bill included Reps. Bellock, Biggins, Coladipietro, Dunn, Durkin, Fortner, Meyer, Pihos, Ramey and Reboletti.

 

These members voted "no" despite the overwhelming support for the bill among voters in DuPage County, as shown by a 2007 poll.

 

These voters understand that this measure would help keep guns away from criminals, children, domestic abusers and people with mental illness, while having no effect on law-abiding gun owners.

 

At a recent community forum on gun violence held in Naperville, pro-gun supporters insisted that the only "solution" to combat gun violence is to arm everyone.

 

The public understands that more guns is not the solution. In fact, the evidence solidly shows that more guns mean more gun deaths and injuries.

 

When will DuPage County legislators stand up for the 1,000 victims killed by guns every year in Illinois and vote for common sense gun laws?

 

Not until the voters of DuPage County hold them accountable.