Illinois gubernatorial candidates on guns

[PCGS65]

Ill. gubernatorial candidates on guns

Associated Press - December 12, 2009 2:34 PM ET

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?"

REPUBLICANS

Adam Andrzejewski: "Would veto a ban on semiautomatic 'assault weapons' in most circumstances. It comes down (to) law abiding citizens having the right to defend their life, liberty and property."

Bill Brady: "I am opposed to any further restrictions to the ownership of firearms as guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and would veto legislation banning the sale and possession of semiautomatic weapons."

Kirk Dillard: "Without having more sufficient detail, including the definition of an "assault-style weapon," and for what circumstances the use of these weapons would be approved, this question is difficult to answer."

Andy McKenna: "I believe in the Second Amendment and law abiding citizen's right to own firearms to protect their families and for sporting purposes.

Dan Proft: "I would veto such legislation. ... I believe arbitrary gun bans are unconstitutional and would oppose such bans."

Jim Ryan:"I would sign it provided it was narrowly drawn and did not violate our 2nd Amendment rights."

Bob Schillerstrom: "I would sign constitutionally sound legislation banning assault weapons in Illinois."

Democrats

Dan Hynes: "I would sign legislation banning the sale and possession of semiautomatic assault-style weapons in Illinois.

Current Governer Pat Quinn: "I would sign legislation banning the sale and possession of semiautomatic assault-style weapons."

William "Dock" Walls: "I would sign such legislation."

GREEN PARTY

Rich Whitney: "If it truly and accurately defines assault weapons in a manner that does not impair the rights of lawful gun owners to possess firearms for defensive purposes, and respects the rights of legitimate gun collectors, then yes, I would sign it."

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

REPUBLICANS

Adam Andrzejewski: "I would sign it. ... Law abiding citizens have this right."

Bill Brady: "Constitutional rights should be afforded to eligible, law-abiding Illinois citizens, and therefore concealed carry should be legalized.

Kirk Dillard: "With proper training and thorough background checks, and dependent upon the exact language drafted in the legislation, I could support allowing concealed-carry for handguns as almost every other state in the nation has done."

Andy McKenna: "I am opposed to concealed-carry legislation."

Dan Proft: "I would sign right to carry legislation."

Jim Ryan: "I would veto. I believe reasonable people can differ on this issue but on balance, drawing from my experience as a law enforcement official, I believe we are better off without concealed-carry."

Bob Schillerstrom:"I would veto legislation allowing concealed carry for handguns. I am a supporter of the Second Amendment; however, I do not believe that concealed carry is a solution for reducing crime in the State of Illinois."

Democrats

Dan Hynes: Hynes didn't take a position on concealed carry in general but did say he opposes a new law letting people bring concealed guns into someone else's home if they have permission.

Current Governer Pat Quinn: "I would veto legislation allowing concealed-carry for handguns."

William "Dock" Walls: "I would veto conceal and carry legislation."

GREEN PARTY

Rich Whitney: "I would sign legislation allowing concealed-carry or open carry - although ... I would prefer that any such legislation allow individual counties to opt out if they so chose."

 

[chibiker]

Bob Schillerstrom:"I would veto legislation allowing concealed carry for handguns. I am a supporter of the Second Amendment; however, I do not believe that concealed carry is a solution for reducing crime in the State of Illinois."

Boy, that rubs me the wrong way. Reducing crime in the State of Illinois? How about the chance of reducing serious injury or even death to yourself when becoming a victim of crime in the State of Illinois?

 

[litauer]

Schillerstrom is beyond redemption and the sooner he leaves DuPage County the better. He's a Daley stooge, always has been. Ryan is a sleep-walker who has never entertained an original thought yet sent two men to death row for a murder they did not commit.

 

[MJU1983]

I am so glad I no longer live in the People's Republic of Illinois.

 

[BrianB]

That's too bad. A lot of pandering to the Chicago establishment. Zip up your pants and claim your conservatism. It's time for conservatives to BE conservative again. McKenna's running mate is a neighbor of ours. I know him and like him. Unfortunately, they won't get my vote in the primary.

 

[W L Johnson]

Sometimes I am embarrassed that Kentucky shares a border (however short it is) with Illinois.

 

[Onward Allusion]

Thank you for posting this. I will send it to my friends in Illinois.

PCGS65

Illinois gubernatorial candidates on guns
Ill. gubernatorial candidates on guns

 

[2TransAms]

Illinois sucks. It sucks so bad. At least Brady doesn't suck as bad as everyone else.

 

[NG VI]

for what circumstances the use of these weapons would be approved, this question is difficult to answer."

Other wise Dillard seems fairly sound, but the way he answered that question shows that he really doesn't understand the question or understand firearms at all.

 

[Autolycus]

My friend was Bill Brady's driver. How is he on abortion? Is he pro-choice? And will he support gay marriage?

 

[rmwstanford]

Bill Brady is pro-life and he is not a support of gay marriage. He is the best chance of a solidly pro-second amendment candidate winning the GOP primary and the general election.

 

[Gary G23]

I am so glad I no longer live in the People's Republic of Illinois.

me too

 

[Autolycus]

Originally posted by rmwstanford:
Bill Brady is pro-life and he is not a support of gay marriage. He is the best chance of a solidly pro-second amendment candidate winning the GOP primary and the general election.

Sadly I cannot vote for him or support him then.

I will probably vote Green party then.

 

[miamivicedade]

I know Kirk Dillard very well. He is a supporter of the 2nd Amendment. Many on his staff are as well, including Dave Carlin, who is running his campaign office in Lisle. Those around him, for the most part, are supporters of the second amendment.

Schillerstrom, whom I also know well, has never been a fan of guns. In DuPage County, they claim to like guns, but as far as I know they have not allowed any gun shops in the county, have not displayed of voted on a pro-gun type of pledge, like most of Illinois' other counties. Truth be told, if DuPage County wasnt so conservative throughout the years, as chairman, Schillerstrom would have championed the same thing Chicago has done.

McKenna enters races cause he's rich. Brady is a good guy, but can't win, and Ryan is tied to some former Blago tyrants. Dillard is my choice.

 

[miamivicedade]

OldSkool, are you talking about BJ?

 

[David E]

Bill Brady sounds like the PERFECT candidate for Illinois, as it looks like he represents most conservative values, regardless of state.

Something sorely needed in IL

 

[Autolycus]

I am not sure who BJ is.

 

[wishin]

This summary would make a great one page ad in all of the Illinois newspapers!

 

[Mini30]

I am so glad I no longer live in the People's Republic of Illinois.

Same here. Left Chicago in '68; left DuPage & the State in '73. Tried again with Peoria in '93. Didn't last long. Now IL is exporting more of their politicians to the national stage. Damn. Seattle isn't far enough away.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

GREEN PARTY

Rich Whitney: "If it truly and accurately defines assault weapons in a manner that does not impair the rights of lawful gun owners to possess firearms for defensive purposes, and respects the rights of legitimate gun collectors, then yes, I would sign it."

An oxymoron.

 

[Deanimator]

GREEN PARTY

Rich Whitney: "If it truly and accurately defines assault weapons in a manner that does not impair the rights of lawful gun owners to possess firearms for defensive purposes, and respects the rights of legitimate gun collectors, then yes, I would sign it."

An oxymoron.

That's as idiotic as enforced racial segregation that DOESN'T discriminate.

 

[Autolycus]

I don't think there is a way that they can truly define assault weapons that would not allow them to be legal in regards to the constitution. So I don't think it will be a problem. But either way did anyone else see this answer by the anti-gunner Kirk Dillard.

Originally said by Kirk Dillard:
Kirk Dillard: "With proper training and thorough background checks, and dependent upon the exact language drafted in the legislation, I could support allowing concealed-carry for handguns as almost every other state in the nation has done."

Where does it say in the Bill of rights that I need proper training and thorough background checks?

And what kind of language is he looking for in the concealed carry legislation? May issue rather than shall issue, is my guess.

 

[miamivicedade]

Kirk Dillard was endorsed by the ISRA. http://www.isra.org

 

[jmortimer]

This further ilustrates how less than worthless liberals are when it comes to the RKBA and the Second Amendment. On a praty line basis the choice is clear.

 

[mack]

Maybe the ISRA has some inside deal or info with Dillard - but I'm from Illinois and I'm sorry - I don't trust him at all when it comes to gun rights - No real good candidates - don't really trust Bill Brady either - but trust him more than Dillard. Wonder if ISRA figures Dillard has the primary wrapped up and want to get on his good side to curry favor?