IL gun ban: Here's my letter, lets see them all!
I just sent this to a couple of them. This went to Mike Jacobs:
3/08/07
Mr. Jacobs,
I am contacting you in regards to a recent situation that I am taking very personally. I have never taken the time to write a letter such as this but it is past time for my voice to be heard. The issue I'm referring to is SB0016, introduced by Sen. Emil Jones, Jr., which will be debated in the coming days.
I speak for many when I say this bill is nothing short of shocking and disturbing. As I read through the various articles of it, I was in complete disbelief. Not only because of how oppressive this would be to ONLY our law abiding citizens. Not only because we actually have nine senators who thought it to be a good idea to co-sponsor such a bill. No, what really surprises me is the time and level of detail that went into this bill, considering how many other important issues are out there at this time.
It includes right down to the minute detail of banning anything which has "a shroud that is attached to, or partially, or completely encircles the barrel, and that permits the shooter to hold the firearm with the non-trigger hand without being burned." (Read: Nearly every rifle ever produced.) I also see that all shotguns with fixed magazines capable of holding 5 shells would be banned. This would also be nearly every shotgun ever made! Is gun crime in Illinois really so out of control that we're forced into taking extreme measures such as these?
I enjoy firearms for many reasons. I believe everyone else should be entitled to enjoy them the way I have for generations to come. We already have some of the strictest firearm laws in the country. How much more do we really need? While 48 other states have come to their senses and opted to allow concealed carry in one form or another, Illinois not only decides to be one of the last two remaining states in the country, to not allow concealed carry, but to also single handedly attempt to rip the 2nd amendment from the Constitution altogether for it's citizens! Seriously, what is our problem?
I assure you, I have many other hobbies that are important to me. I haven't been to the range in over a year. Yet I appreciate the freedoms afforded to us by the US Constitution, that states and cities have NO right to infringe upon in any way. I believe law abiding citizens are entitled to own anything they can afford including .50 rifles. I myself, would not spend the money on one at this time, but if my neighbor wants one, so be it. No crime has ever been committed with a .50 in this country. If one ever were to be used in a crime, I'd say that's a pretty low percentage of trouble out of 300 million people, wouldn't you agree? If a terrorist in Illinois wants to get their hands on one, I doubt they're going to apply for a FOID card first or check what the local ordinances are concerning them.
I believe concealed carry works. I also have an understanding of the terms. The term `assault weapon' that is thrown around so often these days is incorrect. Citizens of our state are already forbidden to own real, fully automatic `assault' weapons. Besides this, assault is an act. This should not be a description given to an inanimate object.
I never worry about firearms. I do however, lose sleep over bills such as these and have to wonder why anyone feels so passionately about restricting their law abiding citizens so harshly. Why do our elected officials want to turn me into a felon for simply `possessing' firearms that I've owned for years with no problems? Our FOID card system is above and beyond anything else we could do to prevent unlawful ownership. We're also the only state in the nation that employs this program. If criminals are willing to bypass this system to obtain illegal firearms, illegally, what more can we possibly do? Punish all of our law abiding citizens by stripping them of everything right down to their pellet guns?
I can only hope that the citizens of Illinois and of the 36th district can rely on you and others, to fight and oppose this bill to the end while working towards eliminating the prospect of these bills annually. It does get increasingly depressing to see our rights under attack in this state, year after year.
We are alienating gun owners and actually driving them away from the state. Not only our own citizens but also citizens from other states who avoid coming here. These are informed, hardworking, tax paying, law abiding citizens, such as myself, which our politicians have been driving off for years! All while leaving the criminals behind. The criminals don't care where they live. They can break the law anywhere and it doesn't matter. In fact they SHOULD stay here. There is no doubt Illinois is the safest place for them. With no concealed carry law on the books, the criminals can remain fearless!
In conclusion, hopefully you and others can see how poorly thought out this SB 16 really is. There are so many issues that average Illinoisans are actually concerned with right now. A new AWB is apparently only high on the list of a few senators pushing their own personal agendas. It's past time for all of this non-sense to stop.
Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely,
I hope to see some more letters here when I check back tomorrow! We need to be heard.
3/08/07
Mr. Jacobs,
I am contacting you in regards to a recent situation that I am taking very personally. I have never taken the time to write a letter such as this but it is past time for my voice to be heard. The issue I'm referring to is SB0016, introduced by Sen. Emil Jones, Jr., which will be debated in the coming days.
I speak for many when I say this bill is nothing short of shocking and disturbing. As I read through the various articles of it, I was in complete disbelief. Not only because of how oppressive this would be to ONLY our law abiding citizens. Not only because we actually have nine senators who thought it to be a good idea to co-sponsor such a bill. No, what really surprises me is the time and level of detail that went into this bill, considering how many other important issues are out there at this time.
It includes right down to the minute detail of banning anything which has "a shroud that is attached to, or partially, or completely encircles the barrel, and that permits the shooter to hold the firearm with the non-trigger hand without being burned." (Read: Nearly every rifle ever produced.) I also see that all shotguns with fixed magazines capable of holding 5 shells would be banned. This would also be nearly every shotgun ever made! Is gun crime in Illinois really so out of control that we're forced into taking extreme measures such as these?
I enjoy firearms for many reasons. I believe everyone else should be entitled to enjoy them the way I have for generations to come. We already have some of the strictest firearm laws in the country. How much more do we really need? While 48 other states have come to their senses and opted to allow concealed carry in one form or another, Illinois not only decides to be one of the last two remaining states in the country, to not allow concealed carry, but to also single handedly attempt to rip the 2nd amendment from the Constitution altogether for it's citizens! Seriously, what is our problem?
I assure you, I have many other hobbies that are important to me. I haven't been to the range in over a year. Yet I appreciate the freedoms afforded to us by the US Constitution, that states and cities have NO right to infringe upon in any way. I believe law abiding citizens are entitled to own anything they can afford including .50 rifles. I myself, would not spend the money on one at this time, but if my neighbor wants one, so be it. No crime has ever been committed with a .50 in this country. If one ever were to be used in a crime, I'd say that's a pretty low percentage of trouble out of 300 million people, wouldn't you agree? If a terrorist in Illinois wants to get their hands on one, I doubt they're going to apply for a FOID card first or check what the local ordinances are concerning them.
I believe concealed carry works. I also have an understanding of the terms. The term `assault weapon' that is thrown around so often these days is incorrect. Citizens of our state are already forbidden to own real, fully automatic `assault' weapons. Besides this, assault is an act. This should not be a description given to an inanimate object.
I never worry about firearms. I do however, lose sleep over bills such as these and have to wonder why anyone feels so passionately about restricting their law abiding citizens so harshly. Why do our elected officials want to turn me into a felon for simply `possessing' firearms that I've owned for years with no problems? Our FOID card system is above and beyond anything else we could do to prevent unlawful ownership. We're also the only state in the nation that employs this program. If criminals are willing to bypass this system to obtain illegal firearms, illegally, what more can we possibly do? Punish all of our law abiding citizens by stripping them of everything right down to their pellet guns?
I can only hope that the citizens of Illinois and of the 36th district can rely on you and others, to fight and oppose this bill to the end while working towards eliminating the prospect of these bills annually. It does get increasingly depressing to see our rights under attack in this state, year after year.
We are alienating gun owners and actually driving them away from the state. Not only our own citizens but also citizens from other states who avoid coming here. These are informed, hardworking, tax paying, law abiding citizens, such as myself, which our politicians have been driving off for years! All while leaving the criminals behind. The criminals don't care where they live. They can break the law anywhere and it doesn't matter. In fact they SHOULD stay here. There is no doubt Illinois is the safest place for them. With no concealed carry law on the books, the criminals can remain fearless!
In conclusion, hopefully you and others can see how poorly thought out this SB 16 really is. There are so many issues that average Illinoisans are actually concerned with right now. A new AWB is apparently only high on the list of a few senators pushing their own personal agendas. It's past time for all of this non-sense to stop.
Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely,
I hope to see some more letters here when I check back tomorrow! We need to be heard.
0
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I am typing me letter up right now. Could someone provide mailing address to all that these letters need to be sent to? 0 -
I think I shall cut and paste yours.
While not my rep, I think Michael Madigan is the guy to write to. He controls the House and has a strong dislike for Emil Jones.
(Jones calls anyone that doe not like him a racist.)0 -
UPDATE:
No need to bother Todd Sieben. I received a prompt response from him today. Here was his response:
Thank you for contacting me about SB16. I agree with you. I am adamantly
opposed to this legislation.
I am a strong supporter of our 2nd Amendment rights and will continue to
do all I can to protect them. In addition, Springfield Inc. and ArmaLite are
two local firearms manufacturers in my district who would be very adversely
affected by this legislation.
I appreciate your input on SB16. I will most definitely oppose this bill.
Sincerely,
Todd Sieben
State Senator
45th District
Mike Jacobs (D) has not replied.0 -
I just called Sen Edward Maloney and politely let them know I was a life member of the NRA and was opposed to SB 16. 0 -
...way to go people for taking your stand for yourself and everyone else!
Don't go peaceable, go kick'n and screaming.
Moose0
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