cuchulainn
Member
from the Peoria Journal Star
http://www.pjstar.com/news/topnews/g158385a.html
http://www.pjstar.com/news/topnews/g158385a.html
Gun-rights supporters converge on Springfield
Lawmakers claim they aren't trying to hurt the hunters
March 21, 2003
By ADRIANA COLINDRES
of Copley News Service
SPRINGFIELD - Hundreds of gun-rights supporters traveled to the state Capitol on Thursday to urge lawmakers to vote against legislation they believe would impose an unfair burden on sportsmen and other gun owners.
In the morning, more than 300 people met in the cafeteria of the Stratton Building to discuss plans for the Illinois State Rifle Association's "lobby day." Later, many of them headed to the Capitol to talk with individual lawmakers.
Members of the group reviewed several pieces of gun-related legislation, but the main subject seemed to be Senate Bill 1195. That legislation would ban what it describes as "semi-automatic assault weapons, large capacity ammunition-feeding devices and assault weapon attachments."
"I feel (lawmakers are) infringing on our Second Amendment rights - the right to keep and bear arms," said Joe Wassi of Congerville.
Fred March Jr. of Wood Dale is among those raising questions about whether the legislation would outlaw weapons used for hunting.
"We don't feel the gun owners are getting a fair shake," he said. "The only people (the legislation) affects are law-abiding sportsmen, plain and simple. Laws aren't going to take the guns away from criminals."
The bill's sponsor, Democratic Sen. Anthony Munoz of Chicago, said his intention is to outlaw Uzis and other hand-held, rapid-fire weapons that may be concealed easily.
"I'm not out to try to hurt the hunters," Munoz said.
He said he is in the process of changing the legislation to allow gun owners to keep weapons they already own. In addition, he said, the revised proposal would not apply to law enforcement officers, military personnel or gun collectors.
Mark Westrom, president of ArmaLite Inc., a rifle manufacturing company in Geneseo, said his company would have to move its operations to Iowa if Munoz's bill becomes law.
