As reported earlier, it is believed that Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D)
is about to introduce a sweeping gun control bill that would result in the banning and confiscation of most privately-owned firearms in the state.
The bill comes on the heels of a pair of announcements regarding Chicago's crime rate. As 2012 drew to a close, Chicago's homicide tally broke through the 500-mark for the first time in nearly a decade. It was also announced that 2012 saw twice as many bank robberies in Chicago than were recorded in 2011. These revelations piled onto 2012's high-profile flash mob attacks against tourists on the Gold Coast, the stabbing of a doctor on the Magnificent Mile, and almost a dozen shootings as Chicago rang in the new year.
In a press release today, ISRA noted that "Emanuel's ineffectiveness as a crime fighter is matched only by his inability to establish priorities. While victims 493, 494 and 495 bled out in the streets of his city, Emanuel was busily penning op-ed pieces explaining why he feels it is necessary to take guns away from hunters and sportsmen in Naperville and Mattoon." The press release went on to say that "Emanuel's call to restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens is a desperate attempt to divert attention away from the growing lawlessness on Chicago's streets. He's fortunate to have John Cullerton at his disposal to perpetuate this charade in the Illinois Senate."
ISRA made clear that they were "not going to sit idly by while Emanuel and Cullerton trash the rights of law-abiding firearm owners." ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson said, "We are more than prepared to fight this latest attack in the legislature and, if necessary, in the courts."
