State Rifle Association Applauds Filing of Legislation in Response to Wilmette Shooting
1/15/04 2:48:00 PM
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To: City Desk
Contact: Richard Pearson of the Illinois State Rifle Association, 815-635-3198; web: http://www.isra.org
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Jan. 15 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA):
"A beacon of common sense," is how the ISRA is characterizing a proposal filed yesterday that shields law-abiding citizens from prosecution under politically motivated gun control laws.
SB 2165, sponsored by Sen. Ed Petka (R-Plainfield), provides an affirmative defense to a violation of a municipal ordinance that prohibits, regulates, or restricts the private ownership of firearms if the individual who is charged with the violation used the firearm in an act of self-defense or defense of another.
The bill was drafted and filed in response to a controversial shooting in Wilmette, IL earlier this month. In that case, a homeowner shot a late night intruder in his home. The homeowner was later arrested for violating Wilmette's ban on private handgun ownership. The homeowner's arrest has generated nationwide protests and a flood of calls and emails to the Wilmette village hall.
"People of good sense everywhere are appalled that a father could be arrested and tried for defending his wife and children from a home invader," commented ISRA executive director Richard Pearson. "It's time to return common sense to the equation, and SB 2165 will do just that. It's difficult to imagine how anyone could oppose SB 2165, so I expect the bill to enjoy strong bipartisan support and swift passage."
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The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearm ownership. For over a century, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners.
1/15/04 2:48:00 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: City Desk
Contact: Richard Pearson of the Illinois State Rifle Association, 815-635-3198; web: http://www.isra.org
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Jan. 15 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA):
"A beacon of common sense," is how the ISRA is characterizing a proposal filed yesterday that shields law-abiding citizens from prosecution under politically motivated gun control laws.
SB 2165, sponsored by Sen. Ed Petka (R-Plainfield), provides an affirmative defense to a violation of a municipal ordinance that prohibits, regulates, or restricts the private ownership of firearms if the individual who is charged with the violation used the firearm in an act of self-defense or defense of another.
The bill was drafted and filed in response to a controversial shooting in Wilmette, IL earlier this month. In that case, a homeowner shot a late night intruder in his home. The homeowner was later arrested for violating Wilmette's ban on private handgun ownership. The homeowner's arrest has generated nationwide protests and a flood of calls and emails to the Wilmette village hall.
"People of good sense everywhere are appalled that a father could be arrested and tried for defending his wife and children from a home invader," commented ISRA executive director Richard Pearson. "It's time to return common sense to the equation, and SB 2165 will do just that. It's difficult to imagine how anyone could oppose SB 2165, so I expect the bill to enjoy strong bipartisan support and swift passage."
---
The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearm ownership. For over a century, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners.