NRA-ILA Lobbied Against IL License to Carry Bill

[cherryriver]

I've stayed out of this thread because there's just too much wrong stuff going on.

I will just bring back one of my dear old dad's aphorisms: Anger makes you stupid.

Leave the feelings to the libs. Get with results. It's results that matter.

[abolt243]

Yes thank you UAB for helping some of us to not slit our wrists

 

I know you're joking ....

 

But if you're not, you're taking this stuff WAY to seriously.

 

 

He wouldn't do that GF, he's got a new pistol to shoot, if he ever finds enough ammo!!! And Walleye season is nearly upon us!!!!

 

AB

[mauserme]

I don't know why you feel ignored. They spent a lot of time on the phone with many of us after Molly's post explaining their position.

 

The NRA lobbyist took time out from Mother's day to post answers to question we had.

 

This is too big of a thing to be decided on a moment's notice.

Because "many of us" is not "all of us", because speaking informally is deniable and subject to change, and because the lobbyist made it clear his answers are not the official answers:

 

...

Is that the official response then?

...

...

as for a response, I'm sure HQ will issue one.

...

[GarandFan]

I don't know why you feel ignored. They spent a lot of time on the phone with many of us after Molly's post explaining their position.

 

The NRA lobbyist took time out from Mother's day to post answers to question we had.

 

This is too big of a thing to be decided on a moment's notice.

 

 

First, I want to wholeheartedly endorse Cherryriver's sentiments in the prior post.

 

But specifically, regarding Bob's post, I have been totally astounded that the NRA-ILA staff have been so communicative with us over this issue. I've received reports from many that they've had long phone discussions with the staff ... the NRA are being way more communicative than I would have ever imagined ... ever. And especially given the annual meetings are beginning this week.

 

This is a great sign. If they were blowing us off, they'd be doing it. But they're not .... they are writing and having long phone conversations with many concerned Illinoisans.

 

Mauserme, it appears your glass is half-empty. That must suck. Mine is half full.

 

People, we need to be wise. We need to turn the anger into resolve and get the results we want.

[Topper]

The NRA operates on membership numbers and money. The more members we get here on this forum, the more they will pay credence to our plight. Good Members like "ThirdPower" are actively handing out business cards with the illinoiscarry.com/forum addy,along with the daysofourtrailers site, and I think that is a great help. I met ThirdPower at a gun show in which he had a table. Clean cut guys like that do a great job at spreading the word.

I think that Todd and the NRA are definitely considering everything posted here. They are a big machine and it takes time and effort and a lot of good posting with good ideas to alter their political direction. I still have the belief that "We are the NRA" !!! Someone previously posted that there was a negative view of all of this on some large forums such as AR15 dot com.. That is a perfect example of how big sites and masses of people can have different views on these issues. IMO we need to continue to be civil and keep working with them until we can tailor there support in a manner that will suit us.

 

Thanks for listening and a personal thanks for all the posts in this thread, I enjoy reading different angles on this subject, and seeing how people react.

[jobes]

It's on my card too

[mauserme]

Mauserme, it appears your glass is half-empty. That must suck.

Thank you for your concern but you've been misled. My glass is so full of the things I value I can hardly keep it from spilling over. It's what let's me so easily bear the angst of those who choose to be NRA apologists.

 

I do believe I'll continue to hold their feet to the fire a while longer ...

[ilphil]

While not expecting an overnight decision by the NRA a quick acknowledgment that they are aware of the feelings expressed here seems only prudent. Reassurance, without the promise of change, that the topic will at least be revisited in the not too distant future. Damage control is, after all, as much a part of the political process as any floor fight. Nothing extraordinary - just a little common courtesy. But we, of course, are the Illinois electorate. Ignoring us is easy.

 

Well, I take some comfort in knowing I am not the only one growing impatient with the silence.

 

There was an immeadiate response. They moved from "Opposed" to "Neutral". They are revisiting the issue now and Todd V. has promised that they will issue a statement (post 162, this thread). Any further movement towards STHR LTC in the legislature cannot be instigated until next January's session. Let them take their time. Let all the members that want to comment get their comments in. Let HQ confer with their people here on the ground and really learn about the issues that we face. Let them make an informed decision.

 

I'd not be surprised if it's 30 days to a formal announcement.

 

These things take time folks.

Tim

 

I'm sure they have already adopted their new position. They just haven't shared it with us...just like they chose not to share it with us when they were undermining our efforts.

[Xwing]

Neutrality is better than opposition, but, unfortunately, I doubt some of those in favor of 2257 are going to accept their neutrality as a respectable position. An old saying goes something like, "Be hot or cold, but lukewarm will be rejected." People who feel strongly about 2257 simply won't support a gun-rights organization that refuses to support a promising STHR bill.

 

That's a good quote from the Bible: Revelation 3:16 "So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth"

 

And you're exactly right. Neutral is not much better than against. I sent a letter as well today. Hopefully the NRA leadership will see reason and change their minds.

[2nd amendment forever]

While not expecting an overnight decision by the NRA a quick acknowledgment that they are aware of the feelings expressed here seems only prudent. Reassurance, without the promise of change, that the topic will at least be revisited in the not too distant future. Damage control is, after all, as much a part of the political process as any floor fight. Nothing extraordinary - just a little common courtesy. But we, of course, are the Illinois electorate. Ignoring us is easy.

 

Well, I take some comfort in knowing I am not the only one growing impatient with the silence.

 

There was an immeadiate response. They moved from "Opposed" to "Neutral". They are revisiting the issue now and Todd V. has promised that they will issue a statement (post 162, this thread). Any further movement towards STHR LTC in the legislature cannot be instigated until next January's session. Let them take their time. Let all the members that want to comment get their comments in. Let HQ confer with their people here on the ground and really learn about the issues that we face. Let them make an informed decision.

 

I'd not be surprised if it's 30 days to a formal announcement.

 

These things take time folks.

Tim

 

I'm sure they have already adopted their new position. They just haven't shared it with us...just like they chose not to share it with us when they were undermining our efforts.

 

Received this via email:

 

From: SChristman@nrahq.org

Subject: FW: NRA Response to Valinda Rowe re HB2257

Date: May 15, 2009 6:40:59 PM CDT

Cc: EdILA@nrahq.org

 

The following letter was sent to Valinda Rowe at IllinoisCarry.com concerning NRA's position on HB 2257.

 

 

To: Valinda Rowe IllinoisCarry.com

Subject: NRA Response to Valinda Rowe re HB2257

 

Valinda Rowe

IllinoisCarry.com

Dear Ms. Rowe:

 

Thank you for your comments on Illinois HB 2257, the “Illinois Citizens Self-Defense Act,” and for your support of the Second Amendment and the right to keep and bear arms. We appreciate your efforts on behalf of Illinois’ firearms owners, and we are pleased to respond to your concerns. Regarding your e-mail of May 7, 2009, however, we need to make several things clear.

 

First, the NRA hardly needs to defend its record of preserving and expanding the right to carry firearms. We have been and will continue to be the national leader in ensuring that all law-abiding Americans eventually have access to this right. Thanks largely to our efforts, 40 states now respect the right of citizens to carry firearms, a four-fold increase since 1987. Our efforts continue both to expand and improve state laws and to pursue national reciprocity legislation in Congress. To suggest that the NRA is somehow opposed to this right in Illinois or anywhere else is, frankly, absurd. In Illinois in particular, we have expended significant amounts of effort and resources on legal and legislative action.

 

Second, we regret that you have chosen to air your differences with what you perceive to be the NRA’s position on this issue publicly, before we were able to address your concerns. Reasonable minds can and often do differ on the best course of action in difficult circumstances, such as those faced by the citizens of Illinois who wish to carry firearms. However, it is important for gun owners to maintain a united front in order to be effective.

 

After considering this matter very carefully, the NRA has decided to remain neutral on HB 2257. We understand and sympathize with the points you have persuasively raised in you letter of April 3, 2009. In some cases, an incremental approach is justifiable and can, as you note, lead to further progress. With respect to HB 2257, however, the benefits would not, in our opinion justify the compromises that would have to be made. Several factors lead us to this conclusion.

 

First, if HB 2257 were enacted, the resulting patchwork of regulations would expose our members to unacceptable risks of prosecution. We are not reassured, moreover, that permit holders could keep up with ongoing changes in the laws of different jurisdictions to protect themselves from this risk. Variations in the laws of different jurisdictions, added to uncertainty about the law’s application, would make the gains proposed by this bill largely illusory for anyone who regularly carried any distance outside his or her local area.

 

Your example of the NRA supporting incremental approaches to preemption in Nebraska and Ohio does not provide a fair comparison of how this bill would operate in Illinois. While the original legislation in those states did allow for localities to continue regulating firearms to some degree, state permit holders were protected from these regulations. Such would not be the case with HB 2257. The difference here is fundamental, as the benefits of the Nebraska and Ohio legislation were available to all otherwise eligible citizens statewide, and permit holders could travel statewide with peace of mind.

 

Much progress has recently occurred in the nationwide effort to secure Second Amendment rights. The Supreme Court’s 2008 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller made clear that the Second Amendment protects a preexisting, individual right to self-defense. More recently, the Ninth Circuit’s decision in Nordyke v. King underscored the fundamental nature of that right and its application not just to federal legislation, but to state and local enactments as well. The NRA has aggressively followed up on these victories and has already achieved the repeal of several unconstitutional municipal ordinances in Illinois. Our efforts in that respect continue to this day.

 

Meanwhile, gun owners face one of the most hostile, organized, and powerful group of federal gun prohibitionists this nation has ever seen, and in one very real sense, HB 2257 is consistent with a fundamental principle of the prohibitionist playbook. The agenda, simply stated, is one of divide and conquer. Anti-gun advocates have been trying to persuade the public that the Second Amendment somehow applies differently to cities and rural areas. For example, President Obama and others have made statements such as “what works in Chicago may not work in Cheyenne.”

 

We adamantly reject the idea that these distinctions are appropriate with respect to fundamental constitutional rights, such as the right to carry a firearm in self-defense. We cannot support legislation that perpetuates this approach.

 

We hope this letter has been helpful in clarifying our position on HB 2257. This legislation has been introduced and supported with the best of intentions, but it unfortunately carries unintended consequences the NRA cannot accept.

 

Rest assured that our ongoing efforts on behalf of citizens across Illinois will continue. Our nation’s history proves that those who support freedom will prevail when they remain focused and united. We look forward to cooperating with you on future successes in Illinois and throughout the United States.

 

Sincerely,

 

Chris W. Cox

Executive Director, NRA-ILA

 

******************************************************

 

I've already stated my personal position here.....

 

I won't give a dime to any "national" organization......

 

But I will donate to the local grass roots orgs!!!

[lockman]

With respect to HB 2257, however, the benefits would not, in our opinion justify the compromises that would have to be made.

 

And what compromise would that be?

 

I always thought compromise was giving up a little of what you have in order to get something you don't have.

 

I do not consider giving up something I do not currently have in return for something I want or need a compromise.

 

If we accept the NRA position that it is a compromise then we must reject all forms of LTC because any license requirement by the state is prior restraint and tax on the exercise of your civil rights. Even LTC is a step toward the day when RTBA rights will be unlicensed and untaxed like the rest of our civil rights.

[mauserme]

This is the response of a politician, not a fellow gun owner.

 

NRA used to garner support largerly by being "like us". Now? Not so much ...

[Kenny]

F&%K them & their BS excuses!!! They are doing what they can to string us along and keep giving them money. Just so everyone knows Valinda has tried working with the NRA to change anything they thought needed changing so they would support it but they weren't willing to deal with her until she sent the Alert out and they saw how much support our little grassroots community has. Keep the calls, letters, & e-mails going and quit sending them money until they are willing to listen to their members. The NRA is no better than the politicians trying to make decisions for us!!!! Please sign up as a member of the ISRA at least they still have a connection with all of us commoners. I understand that people from the NRA called many of us back, some people see that as caring I see it as damage control they can't raise money from p***** off members.

 

Todd I realize you are in a tough position with this one especially with one side signing your paycheck & the other side your friends (per say) I am sorry for this and I hope you stick around here and we can bring you over from the dark side, then you can convey that to your higher ups.

 

The whole patchwork excuse doesn't fly with me because that is what the whole country is!!! I would be more satisfied with a patchwork rather than a big, giant, gaping hole full of nothingness which we have now.

 

NRA you will not get a dime from me and you can kiss that life membership goodbye. I probably will not renew when my membership expires. I want no part of an organization that does not listen to what it's members have to say or think they are so much better than it's members. I already am part of that kind of club with congress. I really see no difference!!!

 

ISRA i will be contacting you about a life membership!! I appreciate the way you are fighting for our rights in IL & the fact that the big wheels are at the events like IGOLD & SAFR.

[2nd amendment forever]

F&%K them & their BS excuses!!! They are doing what they can to string us along and keep giving them money. Just so everyone knows Valinda has tried working with the NRA to change anything they thought needed changing so they would support it but they weren't willing to deal with her until she sent the Alert out and they saw how much support our little grassroots community has. Keep the calls, letters, & e-mails going and quit sending them money until they are willing to listen to their members. The NRA is no better than the politicians trying to make decisions for us!!!! Please sign up as a member of the ISRA at least they still have a connection with all of us commoners. I understand that people from the NRA called many of us back, some people see that as caring I see it as damage control they can't raise money from p***** off members.

 

Todd I realize you are in a tough position with this one especially with one side signing your paycheck & the other side your friends (per say) I am sorry for this and I hope you stick around here and we can bring you over from the dark side, then you can convey that to your higher ups.

 

The whole patchwork excuse doesn't fly with me because that is what the whole country is!!! I would be more satisfied with a patchwork rather than a big, giant, gaping hole full of nothingness which we have now.

 

NRA you will not get a dime from me and you can kiss that life membership goodbye. I probably will not renew when my membership expires. I want no part of an organization that does not listen to what it's members have to say or think they are so much better than it's members. I already am part of that kind of club with congress. I really see no difference!!!

 

ISRA i will be contacting you about a life membership!! I appreciate the way you are fighting for our rights in IL & the fact that the big wheels are at the events like IGOLD & SAFR.

 

You do realize that the ISRA is affiliated with the NRA.....

[Kenny]

F&%K them & their BS excuses!!! They are doing what they can to string us along and keep giving them money. Just so everyone knows Valinda has tried working with the NRA to change anything they thought needed changing so they would support it but they weren't willing to deal with her until she sent the Alert out and they saw how much support our little grassroots community has. Keep the calls, letters, & e-mails going and quit sending them money until they are willing to listen to their members. The NRA is no better than the politicians trying to make decisions for us!!!! Please sign up as a member of the ISRA at least they still have a connection with all of us commoners. I understand that people from the NRA called many of us back, some people see that as caring I see it as damage control they can't raise money from p***** off members.

 

Todd I realize you are in a tough position with this one especially with one side signing your paycheck & the other side your friends (per say) I am sorry for this and I hope you stick around here and we can bring you over from the dark side, then you can convey that to your higher ups.

 

The whole patchwork excuse doesn't fly with me because that is what the whole country is!!! I would be more satisfied with a patchwork rather than a big, giant, gaping hole full of nothingness which we have now.

 

NRA you will not get a dime from me and you can kiss that life membership goodbye. I probably will not renew when my membership expires. I want no part of an organization that does not listen to what it's members have to say or think they are so much better than it's members. I already am part of that kind of club with congress. I really see no difference!!!

 

ISRA i will be contacting you about a life membership!! I appreciate the way you are fighting for our rights in IL & the fact that the big wheels are at the events like IGOLD & SAFR.

 

You do realize that the ISRA is affiliated with the NRA.....

 

Affiliated yes but they are willing to listen & learn and help the NRA is not!! The $$ sent to the ISRA goes to the ISRA for the fight in IL it does not go to the NRA for the padding of the elitists pockets or to use in another state where it will be "better served"

[2nd amendment forever]

Affiliated yes but they are willing to listen & learn and help the NRA is not!! The $$ sent to the ISRA goes to the ISRA for the fight in IL it does not go to the NRA for the padding of the elitists pockets or to use in another state where it will be "better served"

 

Then riddle me this, Batman....(he he...)

 

Who was "lobbying" in Springfield against HB2257.....the nra or the isra....

[Kenny]

Affiliated yes but they are willing to listen & learn and help the NRA is not!! The $$ sent to the ISRA goes to the ISRA for the fight in IL it does not go to the NRA for the padding of the elitists pockets or to use in another state where it will be "better served"

 

Then riddle me this, Batman....(he he...)

 

Who was "lobbying" in Springfield against HB2257.....the nra or the isra....

 

 

I can guarantee you it was not the ISRA and I can also assure you that I was told 2257 would be "Killed" before it got anywhere. (I don't want to mention any names but it was a pretty reliable source close to the NRA)

[GarandFan]

Like it and agree with it I do not, but I for one accept the NRAs position on this. It is their position to take, not mine. What else am I do to do? Get mad and throw tantrums? I used to do that, years ago, but realized that there are more effective ways of channeling disagreement and frustration.

 

Now, next session, when we pursue a STHR carry bill, we shall see whether NRA is neutral, or whether they oppose. Their letter stated they were neutral, but it also listed many reasons they were opposed. We shall see.

 

I think we need to be careful and wary of divisiveness, and work to diminish it.

 

You folks that are hopping angry with the NRA have the right to be that way, and you have justification for it. But it's my hope that once you recover from your headaches caused by banging heads against walls, we will put this disagreement with NRA on the back burner, and decide to focus on moving forward with carry in Illinois.

[Kenny]

decide to focus on moving forward with carry in Illinois by ourselves, without the help of an organization that we have supported and thought they were on our side.

 

I fixed it for you

[Jeff Watts]

So, Molly B. Can my post come back now?

[mikew]

You do realize that the ISRA is affiliated with the NRA.....

Are you an ISRA member?

[abolt243]

decide to focus on moving forward with carry in Illinois by ourselves, without the help of an organization that we have supported and thought they were on our side.

 

I fixed it for you

 

I suspect that GF won't appreciate words being added to his words. He's kinda' protective of his writings (and rightfully so).

[Silver Guardian]

I don't like getting involved with things such as this without all the facts. If Molly B. will verify that Post 280 is accurate, then I'll chime in.

[billzfx4]

First, the NRA hardly needs to defend its record of preserving and expanding the right to carry firearms. We have been and will continue to be the national leader in ensuring that all law-abiding Americans eventually have access to this right.

 

Eventually!?!?

[Don Gwinn]

2nd Amendment, whether you supported 2257 or not, I can guarantee you that it's a fact that the NRA's lobbyist lobbied against 2257 and the ISRA's people did not. The ISRA is officially on board supporting the concept of a STHR bill. The only thing that would have taken them off that course would have been a preemptive bill with a chance of passing (and let's face it, all of us would have jumped ship to a preemptive bill if we'd thought it could pass!)

[dan]

F&%K them & their BS excuses!!! They are doing what they can to string us along and keep giving them money. Just so everyone knows Valinda has tried working with the NRA to change anything they thought needed changing so they would support it but they weren't willing to deal with her until she sent the Alert out and they saw how much support our little grassroots community has. Keep the calls, letters, & e-mails going and quit sending them money until they are willing to listen to their members. The NRA is no better than the politicians trying to make decisions for us!!!! Please sign up as a member of the ISRA at least they still have a connection with all of us commoners. I understand that people from the NRA called many of us back, some people see that as caring I see it as damage control they can't raise money from p***** off members.

 

Todd I realize you are in a tough position with this one especially with one side signing your paycheck & the other side your friends (per say) I am sorry for this and I hope you stick around here and we can bring you over from the dark side, then you can convey that to your higher ups.

 

The whole patchwork excuse doesn't fly with me because that is what the whole country is!!! I would be more satisfied with a patchwork rather than a big, giant, gaping hole full of nothingness which we have now.

 

NRA you will not get a dime from me and you can kiss that life membership goodbye. I probably will not renew when my membership expires. I want no part of an organization that does not listen to what it's members have to say or think they are so much better than it's members. I already am part of that kind of club with congress. I really see no difference!!!

 

ISRA i will be contacting you about a life membership!! I appreciate the way you are fighting for our rights in IL & the fact that the big wheels are at the events like IGOLD & SAFR.

After staying away from this thread and being one of the "edited" posters on the site I just wanted to +1 to Kenny on all of the above.

[SirMatthew]

Well, I'm disappointed, but I have to make a few comments. Mostly venting.

 

Subject: FW: NRA Response to Valinda Rowe re HB2257

Date: May 15, 2009 6:40:59 PM CDT

Cc: EdILA@nrahq.org

 

The following letter was sent to Valinda Rowe at IllinoisCarry.com concerning NRA's position on HB 2257.

 

To: Valinda Rowe IllinoisCarry.com

Subject: NRA Response to Valinda Rowe re HB2257

 

Valinda Rowe

IllinoisCarry.com

Dear Ms. Rowe:

 

Thank you for your comments on Illinois HB 2257, the “Illinois Citizens Self-Defense Act,” and for your support of the Second Amendment and the right to keep and bear arms. We appreciate your efforts on behalf of Illinois’ firearms owners, and we are pleased to respond to your concerns. Regarding your e-mail of May 7, 2009, however, we need to make several things clear.

 

First, the NRA hardly needs to defend its record of preserving and expanding the right to carry firearms.

 

Based on the sentence above, the NRA is acknowledging that some states have less-than-perfect right-to-carry laws which need to be expanded. Such would be the case with a STHR bill in Illinois, yet they are opposing a "get a foot in the door" approach here.

 

We have been and will continue to be the national leader in ensuring that all law-abiding Americans eventually have access to this right.

 

They aren't doing a good enough job if ALL Americans have some form of this right except those living in Illinois.

 

Thanks largely to our efforts, 40 states now respect the right of citizens to carry firearms, a four-fold increase since 1987.

Our efforts continue both to expand and improve state laws and to pursue national reciprocity legislation in Congress. To suggest that the NRA is somehow opposed to this right in Illinois or anywhere else is, frankly, absurd. In Illinois in particular, we have expended significant amounts of effort and resources on legal and legislative action.

 

No, it is NOT absurd! The NRA opposed STHR legislation and then went neutral, which is also saying they are refusing to support it. They only support LTC in Illinois if it is a no-compromise bill and we all know that isn't going to happen anytime soon.

 

Second, we regret that you have chosen to air your differences with what you perceive to be the NRA’s position on this issue publicly, before we were able to address your concerns.

 

Perceive?! The NRA made it VERY CLEAR they opposed STHR and then went neutral. No perception is necessary when the facts are plainly before us. Apparently they had several weeks to address concerns before they went "neutral". Even now they are not addressing all of our expressed concerns.

 

Reasonable minds can and often do differ on the best course of action in difficult circumstances, such as those faced by the citizens of Illinois who wish to carry firearms. However, it is important for gun owners to maintain a united front in order to be effective.

 

We have been ready to unite with the NRA all along to bring LTC to Illinois, it is the NRA who refuses to unite with the wishes of the citizenry. They ALONE are jeopardizing unity of gun owners by refusing to support a promising path to LTC in Illinois.

 

After considering this matter very carefully, the NRA has decided to remain neutral on HB 2257.

 

I don't think they considered it at all as they are maintaining the very arguments they used to oppose STHR. They have failed to acknowledge many gun owners will refuse to support the NRA because of this decision. They are refusing to acknowledge many will give up the fight entirely rather than butt heads with both the General Assembly AND the NRA. They are refusing to acknowledge their strategy may not work for many years, which leaves IL citizens defenseless in the meantime. They are refusing to acknowledge STHR would EXPAND the patchwork which is already in existence throughout the entire U.S. at this very moment.

 

We understand and sympathize with the points you have persuasively raised in you letter of April 3, 2009.

 

BS

 

In some cases, an incremental approach is justifiable and can, as you note, lead to further progress.

And Illinois is one of those such cases, being the only state in the nation which does not have some type of carry legislation on the books.

 

With respect to HB 2257, however, the benefits would not, in our opinion justify the compromises that would have to be made. Several factors lead us to this conclusion.

 

What of the other consequences, such as NRA members suddenly deciding to go neutral in their support for the NRA? What of the thousands of people who could have been spared death or injury if only they had the ability to defend themselves now rather than later?

 

First, if HB 2257 were enacted, the resulting patchwork of regulations would expose our members to unacceptable risks of prosecution. We are not reassured, moreover, that permit holders could keep up with ongoing changes in the laws of different jurisdictions to protect themselves from this risk.

 

This is not the NRA's responsibility or concern.

 

Variations in the laws of different jurisdictions, added to uncertainty about the law’s application, would make the gains proposed by this bill largely illusory for anyone who regularly carried any distance outside his or her local area.

 

Illusory, my a**.

 

Your example of the NRA supporting incremental approaches to preemption in Nebraska and Ohio does not provide a fair comparison of how this bill would operate in Illinois. While the original legislation in those states did allow for localities to continue regulating firearms to some degree, state permit holders were protected from these regulations. Such would not be the case with HB 2257. The difference here is fundamental, as the benefits of the Nebraska and Ohio legislation were available to all otherwise eligible citizens statewide, and permit holders could travel statewide with peace of mind.

 

If this is the case then their bills weren't true STHR bills. If this is a point of controversy then perhaps it needs to be explored for HB2257. However, I highly suspect adding this to 2257 would result in it needing 71 votes since it cuts into home rule authority.

 

Much progress has recently occurred in the nationwide effort to secure Second Amendment rights. The Supreme Court’s 2008 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller made clear that the Second Amendment protects a preexisting, individual right to self-defense. More recently, the Ninth Circuit’s decision in Nordyke v. King underscored the fundamental nature of that right and its application not just to federal legislation, but to state and local enactments as well. The NRA has aggressively followed up on these victories and has already achieved the repeal of several unconstitutional municipal ordinances in Illinois. Our efforts in that respect continue to this day.

 

While somewhat related, they need to take their eyes off the national scene and look at Illinois as a stand-alone entity for once. They have tried for years to get preemption and it just doesn't work here. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, regardless of what everyone else is doing.

 

Meanwhile, gun owners face one of the most hostile, organized, and powerful group of federal gun prohibitionists this nation has ever seen, and in one very real sense, HB 2257 is consistent with a fundamental principle of the prohibitionist playbook. The agenda, simply stated, is one of divide and conquer. Anti-gun advocates have been trying to persuade the public that the Second Amendment somehow applies differently to cities and rural areas. For example, President Obama and others have made statements such as “what works in Chicago may not work in Cheyenne.”

 

They may have said this a few times, but that doesn't make it true. The 2A applies to all regardless if they respect it or not, but not all want to fully exercise it. Because Chicago doesn't want to exercise their right the entire rest of Illinois is denied the ability to do so?! Wrong!! If they don't want LTC, fine, but the rest of the state does!!

 

We adamantly reject the idea that these distinctions are appropriate with respect to fundamental constitutional rights, such as the right to carry a firearm in self-defense. We cannot support legislation that perpetuates this approach.

 

The NRA would rather continue supporting the existing laws in Illinois which deny rights for all. Do two wrongs make a right?

 

We hope this letter has been helpful in clarifying our position on HB 2257. This legislation has been introduced and supported with the best of intentions, but it unfortunately carries unintended consequences the NRA cannot accept.

Actually, it really hasn't helped clarify much of anything we didn't already know. Most of the unintended consequences of failing to support STHR fall upon the NRA.

 

Rest assured that our ongoing efforts on behalf of citizens across Illinois will continue. Our nation’s history proves that those who support freedom will prevail when they remain focused and united. We look forward to cooperating with you on future successes in Illinois and throughout the United States.

 

Funny how they want to work on our behalf, yet not. Show some cooperation to us first before expecting to get cooperation in return. The NRA had the option of making a decision which would unite or divide and they chose the latter. By the way, I hope the NRA doesn't expect to share in the success when STHR passes.

 

Sincerely,

 

Chris W. Cox

Executive Director, NRA-ILA

 

Now that I've vented, how about something constructive. I'd like to see the NRA take HB2257 and go over it with a fine-toothed comb...adding, deleting, or modifying whatever is necessary for them to aggressively support it. However, it will have to remain a true STHR bill which needs only 60 votes. If they would do this, we can review it and see if we can come to terms of a compromise of sorts. Molly or anyone else willing to pursue this with the NRA?

[2nd amendment forever]

You do realize that the ISRA is affiliated with the NRA.....

Are you an ISRA member?

 

No, and I'll explain further down the posts.......

[GarandFan]

You do realize that the ISRA is affiliated with the NRA.....

Are you an ISRA member?

 

No, and I'll explain further down the posts.......

 

I am happy to be a member of both organizations.

[2nd amendment forever]

2nd Amendment, whether you supported 2257 or not, I can guarantee you that it's a fact that the NRA's lobbyist lobbied against 2257 and the ISRA's people did not. The ISRA is officially on board supporting the concept of a STHR bill. The only thing that would have taken them off that course would have been a preemptive bill with a chance of passing (and let's face it, all of us would have jumped ship to a preemptive bill if we'd thought it could pass!)

 

Question.......

 

Is Todd Vandermyde a lobbyist for the ISRA or the NRA???