Neo-Luddite
Member
The Carroll County Board has approved the RKBA resolution promoted by the ISRA. Local gratitude is due to Tom Kocal, publisher of the Prairie Advocate, and to the members of the Carroll County Board.
Thank You,
Michael Bishop
http://www.prairie-advocate-news.com/4-23-08/pro2A4_23_08.html
Second Amendment Alive and Well in Carroll County
By Tom Kocal,
[email protected]
MT. CARROLL - The Carroll County Board approved a resolution in support of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article 1, Section 22 of the Illinois Constitution last Thursday. Carroll County is the 77th Illinois county out of 102 to support the resolution, which states that the right of the people to bear arms is guaranteed as an individual right for defense of life, liberty and property, and "is regarded as an Inalienable Right by the People of Carroll County, Illinois."
The item was tabled at the March meeting because Chuck Wemstrom (D-3) didn't agree with the wording in the resolution that stated the County would "oppose the enactment of any legislation . . ."
"My specific complaint is about the word 'any,'" Wemstrom said Thursday. "All amendments have restrictions. I am not against anyone owning guns for hunting or target shooting, for example. But handguns create dangerous situations. We've created a hysteria in this country that we need to arm ourselves to protect ourselves. For those reasons, I am voting against the resolution as presented."
Rod Fritz (D-3) said he went on-line to research the issue. "It was nice to see in a local paper a place that I could click on and see our laws," Fritz commented. (As reported in the April 16 Prairie Advocate, if it has been awhile since you have read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, you can refresh your memory by going to www.prairie-advocate-news.com and clicking on the American Flag).
Richard Veith of Mt. Carroll, who presented the resolution to the Board in March, introduced Glenn White and Tom Hutton as supporters of the resolution. White, originally from Chicago, built a home north of Savanna to be able to enjoy hunting in "Savanna, Sportsman's Paradise." Hutton is the general manager of Savanna Ace Hardware, who sells approximately 200 guns per year, which is about 4 every week.
"To my knowledge, not one of these guns has ever been used to hurt anyone," Veith explained. "A ban of semi-automatic weapons is also being proposed. We don't need that. I'm not against good legislation, but most duck hunters on the Mississippi are using semi-automatic shotguns. Many of these hunting guns would be banned, simply because they hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.
"What we're saying is that we have the right to govern ourselves, and not be governed by someone who doesn't understand who we are," Veith explained. "There are many hunting and target shooting clubs operating safely in Carroll County. Many hunters and shooters are affiliated with organizations, such as Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever, that promote gun safety, as well as teach children and adults the proper way to use firearms. We want to govern ourselves."
State's Attorney Scott Brinkmeier confirmed that this resolution is not a law. "The resolution will simply voice county support of the right to bear arms, as stated in the 2nd Amendment."
"We need handgun control," Wemstrom stated. "There is a handgun epidemic in Cook County. By passing this resolution, we are saying that it's more important to be able to buy any gun, any time, rather than addressing the safety issue."
Wemstrom, a former teacher, spoke of several times when he would arrive at class, only to see the anguish on the faces of his students, because a classmate had been gunned down the previous night.
Fritz said that gun laws only take away guns from honest people. "The criminals will always find a way to get a gun, regardless of the law."
Shawn Picolotti (D-1) concluded the discussion by stating, "Taking guns away from honest people will not solve the violence problem."
The motion to approve the resolution was called, resulting in a 12-2 vote in favor of the resolution. Wemstrom and Juanita Randklev (D-1) were opposed.
Thank You,
Michael Bishop
http://www.prairie-advocate-news.com/4-23-08/pro2A4_23_08.html
Second Amendment Alive and Well in Carroll County
By Tom Kocal,
[email protected]
MT. CARROLL - The Carroll County Board approved a resolution in support of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article 1, Section 22 of the Illinois Constitution last Thursday. Carroll County is the 77th Illinois county out of 102 to support the resolution, which states that the right of the people to bear arms is guaranteed as an individual right for defense of life, liberty and property, and "is regarded as an Inalienable Right by the People of Carroll County, Illinois."
The item was tabled at the March meeting because Chuck Wemstrom (D-3) didn't agree with the wording in the resolution that stated the County would "oppose the enactment of any legislation . . ."
"My specific complaint is about the word 'any,'" Wemstrom said Thursday. "All amendments have restrictions. I am not against anyone owning guns for hunting or target shooting, for example. But handguns create dangerous situations. We've created a hysteria in this country that we need to arm ourselves to protect ourselves. For those reasons, I am voting against the resolution as presented."
Rod Fritz (D-3) said he went on-line to research the issue. "It was nice to see in a local paper a place that I could click on and see our laws," Fritz commented. (As reported in the April 16 Prairie Advocate, if it has been awhile since you have read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, you can refresh your memory by going to www.prairie-advocate-news.com and clicking on the American Flag).
Richard Veith of Mt. Carroll, who presented the resolution to the Board in March, introduced Glenn White and Tom Hutton as supporters of the resolution. White, originally from Chicago, built a home north of Savanna to be able to enjoy hunting in "Savanna, Sportsman's Paradise." Hutton is the general manager of Savanna Ace Hardware, who sells approximately 200 guns per year, which is about 4 every week.
"To my knowledge, not one of these guns has ever been used to hurt anyone," Veith explained. "A ban of semi-automatic weapons is also being proposed. We don't need that. I'm not against good legislation, but most duck hunters on the Mississippi are using semi-automatic shotguns. Many of these hunting guns would be banned, simply because they hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.
"What we're saying is that we have the right to govern ourselves, and not be governed by someone who doesn't understand who we are," Veith explained. "There are many hunting and target shooting clubs operating safely in Carroll County. Many hunters and shooters are affiliated with organizations, such as Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever, that promote gun safety, as well as teach children and adults the proper way to use firearms. We want to govern ourselves."
State's Attorney Scott Brinkmeier confirmed that this resolution is not a law. "The resolution will simply voice county support of the right to bear arms, as stated in the 2nd Amendment."
"We need handgun control," Wemstrom stated. "There is a handgun epidemic in Cook County. By passing this resolution, we are saying that it's more important to be able to buy any gun, any time, rather than addressing the safety issue."
Wemstrom, a former teacher, spoke of several times when he would arrive at class, only to see the anguish on the faces of his students, because a classmate had been gunned down the previous night.
Fritz said that gun laws only take away guns from honest people. "The criminals will always find a way to get a gun, regardless of the law."
Shawn Picolotti (D-1) concluded the discussion by stating, "Taking guns away from honest people will not solve the violence problem."
The motion to approve the resolution was called, resulting in a 12-2 vote in favor of the resolution. Wemstrom and Juanita Randklev (D-1) were opposed.