Sen. Kotowski's Fib Highlights Gun Control Movement's Credibility Gap

[Drizzt]

ISRA: Sen. Kotowski's Fib Highlights Gun Control Movement's Credibility Gap



SPRINGFIELD, Ill., March 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following
was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA):

A prominent Illinois gun control advocate found himself tongue-tied
after he was caught telling something other than the truth about a popular
brand of target rifles. The gaffe came during a Wednesday press conference
hosted by Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-33) in support of several gun control bills.

In his address, Kotowski pointed to a rifle staged as a prop for the
event and described it as being a "military" weapon. What Kotowski did not
know was that Mr. Mark Westrom, President of Armalite, Incorporated, was in
the audience. Mr. Westrom rose to inform the attendees that his company
manufactured the rifle in question, and that his company has never sold the
rifle to the military. Westrom continued by pointing out that the rifle is
purchased primarily by civilian target shooters. Westrom's revelation
changed the course of the press conference, to say the least.

Kotowski's bending of the truth was yet another example of the lengths
to which the Illinois gun control movement will go in order to move their
anti- gun agenda forward.

"When Dan Kotowski was the director of the state's gun control lobby,
he was expected to play fast and loose with the truth," commented ISRA
Executive Director, Richard Pearson. "But, now that he's a State Senator,
he has to understand that his constituency expects him to be honest about
the issues of the day."

"I understand Dan's reluctance to stick to the truth," continued
Pearson. "It sure would be tough for Kotowski to stand there and tell the
taxpayers that he wants to spend $300 million to register guns owned by
law-abiding citizens while ignoring notorious gun runners like Carail
Weeks. It would be tough for Kotowski to stand in front of the state's
hunters and tell them that he wants to take their guns away, despite the
fact that 88% of murderers have previous criminal records and cannot even
legally possess a firearm. It would be tough for Kotowski to stand there
and tell law-abiding target shooters that their target rifles are a
'problem' even though he knows darn well almost half the murders committed
in Chicago arise out of drug and/or gang activity. Indeed, the truth would
be painful for Kotowski to tell. That's why he makes stuff up to tell folks
who don't know any better."

"Here is one truth that Sen. Kotowski will come to understand," said
Pearson. "I can guarantee him that the gun owners of this state are not
going to let him misrepresent the facts unchallenged. We will confront him
every time he steps out of line. Dan Kotowski will get no rest as long as
he continues to advance his campaign of deception against the state's
law-abiding firearm owners."

The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and
responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the
interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-28-2007/0004555549&EDATE=

 

[DWARREN123]

He (the senator) should be beat with a stick until he quits lying.

 

[grimjaw]

I'd love to see the video of that press conference.

jm

 

[Anotherguy]

This is my Senator. I'm so proud.
I'm sure he'd love to hear what you think about his principals.

Springfield Office:
Senator 33rd District
M108 State House
Springfield, IL. 62706
(217) 782-3875

District Office:
1100 W. Northwest Hwy.
Suite 114
Mt. Prospect, IL 60056
(847) 797-1192
(847) 797-1195 FAX

This is the same guy who was reportedly using the Capitol Police as his personal bodygaurds on the day of Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day to pretend that he felt "threatened" by you and me.

From an ISRA Legislative Update I recieved on 3/13/07:

"In a move reminiscent of the Soviet Union, a number of state senators, including Susan Garrett and Dan Kotowski, are engaged in a very obvious attempt to intimidate the ISRA Lobbying Team. Both senators have been seen recently traveling around the Capitol with contingents of armed Capitol Police."

 

[Soybomb]

I believe I'm going to send an email to [email protected] thanking Mr. Mark Westrom.



Here's the first news story I can find about this information...its interesting
http://www.hoinews.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=31002

Weapons ban clarified by senator
By Kim Carollo
Posted: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 5:24 PM

SPRINGFIELD -- We've been following a bill passing through the state senate that could possibly ban certain types of weapons.

One of the bill's sponsors -- Democrat Dan Kotowski, who hails from outside Chicago -- held a press conference to clear up some confusion about the bill.

The proposed law would ban .50-caliber sniper rifles.

Kotowski says the weapon is a serious national security threat, and have been used by terrorists against the U.S. military.

"This is a gun that can be used to puncture armor. It's used by the military. It's used by our military in Afghanistan and Iraq, and it's used by insurgents against our military in Afghanistan and Iraq,” said Senator Kotowski.

But the owner of a company that manufactures the rifles interrupted the press conference to speak out -- he says that's not what the weapons are used for.

"This thing is used primarily -- in fact, universally -- as formal and informal target shooting, and there are special events around the country for that long-range shooting,” said Mark Westrom, President of Armalite.

The proposed bill does not ban all .50-caliber rifles -- the kind commonly used for hunting are exempt from the ban.

 

[Sindawe]

Q: How do you know a politician is lying?

A: They open their mouths and words come out.

 

[gunsmith]

I have to buy an Armalite now


good 4 them!

 

[Eightball]

"This is a gun that can be used to puncture armor. It's used by the military. It's used by our military in Afghanistan and Iraq, and it's used by insurgents against our military in Afghanistan and Iraq,” said Senator Kotowski.

And, it can kill elephants, and just about any other moving creature. These facts say absolutely nothing indicating why they are relevant/important to ban in the US. In fact, it points out that less-than-savory charachters can get them, all around the world--so why prevent law-abiding citizens from owning them?

 

[GunnySkox]

Marriage proposal to Westrom sent.

Run away with me to Vermont, Mister Armalite!

~GnSx
Edit: Ha ha! Mixed up the names... >.>

 

[lance22]

I also sent a thank you

Yet another liar has been shushed for a moment! I sent off a thank you to Mr. Westrom at Armalite. Hey, Armalite has gone WAY up in my book!

 

[Old Fuff]

The proposed bill does not ban all .50-caliber rifles -- the kind commonly used for hunting are exempt from the ban.

How interesting...

I think I might have seen those... They have a stick under the barrel. :banghead:

 

[velojym]

As a reversal on the arguments around the Miller case in '38...
The 2nd Amendment is there to protect our right to MILITARY WEAPONS!!!
Lying weasel politicians who toss about the 'sporting use' phrase should be whipped, tarred, and feathered, then roasted over coals until tender.
Then, they should be fed to the fence-sitters as a reminder.

 

[LAR-15]

Since when does the US military use Armalite rifles?

 

[Libertylover]

You guys have Capitol Police there??? Heck, in NH, anybody can waltz right on into the State House, without passing through any sort of metal detector. There is sometimes a "guard" at a desk near the door, but it's typically an older gentleman who seems to be there more to give directions than to stop "threats". There is typically a state trooper or two about in the State House as well, but they don't really do a whole lot either, they certainly don't harrass the public or guard the legi-critters.

Hell, at the hearing for SB 44 (relating to removing due process from the CCW permit process, we smacked it down by showing up in force) one of the folks testifying asked a friendly senator (Senator Clegg, seems like a really good guy) if he was aware that many of the folks testifying and attending were carrying, to illustrate the fact that, miraculously, no gunfights had broken out. The good Senator then retorted that some of the senators on the committee were packing, as well. If any of you are in Sen. Clegg's district, take note and reflect on that when it comes time to vote again.

Openness in government... It's just grand!

 

[Soybomb]

The chicago tribune also has also put up a fresh hot steaming pile of editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...,1,4013754.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed

Godzilla's gun
If Godzilla were a sportsman, the .50-caliber sniper rifle would be his instrument.

This is a weapon that can shoot down airplanes or helicopters from more than a mile away.


Its bullets can penetrate armored vehicles and exterior walls.

One such rifle was found in the ashes of the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas.

Criminals and terrorists worldwide love this weapon.

You could love it too. It's perfectly legal for anyone 18 or older in Illinois to own one.

So of what possible legitimate use could the .50-caliber weapon be, even to sportsmen lurking in the forests and glens of Illinois?

Coyote. Shooting coyote.

That's what a gun lobbyist claimed during a recent state Senate committee hearing about a measure aimed at outlawing .50-caliber sniper rifles.

Did he possibly mean . . . obliterating the state's entire coyote species with a single shot? Some sport.

There's no reason this weapon should be in the hands of anyone other than law enforcement, military or forensic specialists.

State Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) has proposed legislation that would prohibit the sale, manufacture, purchase, possession or carrying of .50-caliber rifles in Illinois. Exceptions would be made for anyone who already owns such a rifle, or the aforementioned authorized users. Other exemptions provide for those who use .50-caliber rifles in shooting competitions, including the Olympics (should it ever become an event).

"The fact that supporters say it's used in hunting is a cynical attempt by the gun industry to legitimize this very dangerous weapon," Kotowski said.

This isn't the first time this legislation has been proposed in Illinois. But enough, already. Let this be the last.

The only mystery is why any legislator thinks such a monster of a weapon should be allowed, particularly in an age of terrorism.

Yet those who still need convincing on the issue include legislators who should know better: Sens. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale), Dan Cronin (R-Elmhurst), Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), Michael Bond (D-Grayslake), Linda Holmes (D-Aurora), Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry), Debbie Halvorsen (D-Crete) and Matt Murphy (R-Palatine).

Please, senators. Explain how a 5-foot-long weapon that can be used to attack chemical or industrial plants is worth defending for civilian use? Explain that to your largely suburban constituents, who generally support reasonable gun control measures such as these.

There may be a handful of "sportsmen" who get their kicks by firing expensive, military-like weapons at small animals or targets. But to put their kicks before the public safety of millions makes no sense at all.



Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune

The kankakee daily journal also has a piece up that doesn't read like a brady bunch press release. http://www.daily-journal.com/archives/dj/display.php?id=391552
Kotowski said he planned to bring his bill before the full Senate "very quickly."

 

[Remington788]

You guys have Capitol Police there???

A couple years ago a mentally challenged person stole a shotgun from a gun shop and used it to kill an unarmed security guard. After that incident, they formed the Capital Police (security guards with guns) to provide security.

 

[ProguninTN]

Press Conference

The anti-gun politician is called out by someone from the gun's manufacturer. That's funny.

 

[Anotherguy]

This is a press release from Mark Westrom of Armalite.

I don't have a .50 caliber and never really thought about getting one but suddenly I'm getting the urge...

http://www.pr-inside.com/rss/gun-ba...estions-about-illinois-made-rifles-r80932.htm

Gun Ban Zealot Fails to Answer Questions About Illinois Made Rifles


2007-03-30 03:59:02 -

Print article
Refer to a friend

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., March 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During a hastily called news conference Wednesday morning, former gun ban lobbyist, now State Senator, Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) incorrectly portrayed an Illinois- manufactured ArmaLite AR-50, a bolt-action .50 caliber rifle. This embarrassing display by the anti-gun zealot was an attempt to sway opinion within the State House to pass SB-1471, a .50 caliber gun ban.



As Kotowski incorrectly described the use of the .50 caliber rifle, he stated that this rifle was designed and manufactured for law enforcement and military applications. In contrast, Mark Westrom, President of ArmaLite, an 85 employee Geneseo, Illinois based company, stated correctly that the AR-50 displayed was, in fact, a target rifle used by legitimate, law-abiding citizens for hunting, target shooting, and collecting -- not by law- enforcement or military. In fact, ArmaLite has never sold an AR-50 to any military or law enforcement organization.



"Senator Kotowski was here today to simply portray our rifle as a weapon of choice for terrorists and easily obtained by anyone. I debunked one of his many mistruths by explaining that this rifle is a target shooting model, and has no military specifications," said Westrom.



Westrom continued, "Our manufacturing and distribution is closely monitored by the Federal Government, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives enforcing compliance with stringent laws and regulations that control manufacturing, distribution and sales to ensure that only law-abiding citizens acquire these firearms through legal channels."



Also during the press conference, Kotowski expressed little concern for the economic and social impact that SB-1471 would have on hard working Illinois citizens. If SB-1471 became law, 185 jobs in the Quad Cities area would be moved out of state so that ArmaLite and its suppliers could adhere to the gun manufacturing ban provided for in the law.



As a former lobbyist for an Illinois based gun-ban organization, Senator Kotowski should know that one's word is their credibility. It is obvious to all who were in attendance that Senator Kotowski conveniently avoided the facts while employing one mistruth after another to promote his anti-gun crusade.



"If he's willing to be this dishonest and misrepresent our rifle, I wonder what other facts he is omitting or not telling his colleagues," added Mark Westrom.



ArmaLite, a privately-held 85 employee firearm manufacturing company based in Geneseo, Illinois that combined with their supplier companies (who employ 100 jobs) supplying parts to ArmaLite would be forced to move out-of-state. This move would place their 185 employee's with tough choices to leave their homes to continuing working for these companies who except for the .50 caliber AR-50 supply many of the firearms our Armed Forces and Law Enforcement (Illinois State Police and US State Department for example) use to defend our country and communities on a daily basis.



Source: ArmaLite, Incorporated