ISRA: Vote Against Battered Women Works Against Candidates

Josey1

ISRA: Vote Against Battered Women Works Against Candidates U.S. Newswire 28 Jan 13:52 Vote Against Battered Women Puts Illinois Candidates In A Political Pickle, Says Illinois State Rifle Association To: State Desk Contact: James Vinopal of the Illinois State Rifle Association Political Victory Fund, 815-635-3166 Web: http://www.isra-pvf.com CHICAGO, Jan. 28 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was released today by the ISRA-Political Victory Fund (ISRA-PVF): Last week's murder of a young Lombard resident was a nightmare come true for any woman who asks the court system to intervene in an abusive relationship. After a stormy break-up, the Lombard victim obtained a restraining order against her 25-year old ex-boyfriend. Under that order, he was forbidden from contacting the victim, and was further ordered to surrender to the court any firearms he owned. He did neither, and less than two weeks after the order was signed, he killed his former girlfriend outside a local nightspot before taking his own life. Every day, thousands of Illinois women try to live "normal" lives -- knowing that a mere piece of paper is all that stands between them and some violent, abusive male. Although the Lombard incident was a tragic exception, many other abused women are often stalked, harassed, or badly beaten after obtaining restraining orders. Early last year, the Illinois Senate acted to provide additional comfort to abused and battered women. Senate Bill 604 would have allowed women holding restraining orders to carry defensive firearms as a means of self protection. SB 604 failed to pass by a razor thin margin due in large part to arm-twisting by Chicago mayor Daley's taxpayer-financed army of lobbyists. Daley has repeatedly said that, if it were up to him, nobody would own guns. Apparently, that "nobody" includes battered women. Those knuckling under to Daley's pressure included Senator Dan Cronin (R-Elmhurst) and Senator Tom Walsh (R-LaGrange Park) -- who are both running for the newly redistricted 21st Senate District seat. Each candidate owes the voters an explanation as to why it is more important to please mayor Daley than it is to protect battered women. Likewise for Senator William Mahar (R-Orland Park) and Senator Christine Radogno (R-LaGrange). As they vie for the new 41st Senate District seat, each should be prepared to explain to voters why it is more important to placate Chicago-based gun control organizations than it is to give abused women a choice in self-protection. Another "NO" vote on SB 604 came from Senator Lisa Madigan (D-Chicago) who is also a candidate for Attorney General. Madigan owes Illinois women an explanation as to why victims of battering need nothing more than a piece of paper for protection, and how she can justify felony prosecution of battered women who may choose to protect themselves by carrying defensive firearms. "When an order of protection is sworn out, the judge takes a great leap of faith," commented ISRA-PVF Chairman James Vinopal. "The abusive person holds all the cards in determining whether the order will be effective. It's essentially a good faith agreement between the court and the perpetrator. All the victim can do is hope the stalker or batterer obeys the judge's order. As we have seen time and time again, restraining orders are minor obstacles to the vengeful ex-boyfriend or spouse." "We're not suggesting that carrying a defensive firearm is the solution for every person under every set of circumstances," continued Vinopal. "But the battered woman should at least be given a choice in how to defend herself. The Senate tried to give battered women that choice, but the cynical politics of gun control stood in the way. Senators Radogno, Walsh, Cronin, and Mahar could have voted to put SB 604 over the top. Unfortunately, their knees buckled under the weight of the Daley machine - and the security of battered Illinois women continues to rely on a piece of paper and the good faith of their tormentors. Each of these candidates has a lot explaining to do."

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The ISRA-PVF is a political action committee affiliated with the Illinois State Rifle Association. A copy of the ISRA-PVF report is available for a fee from the Illinois State Board of Elections. KEYWORDS: ILLINOIS, GUNS/FIREARMS, GOVERNMENT, POLITICAL http://www.usnewswire.com -0- /U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/ 01/28 13:52 Copyright 2002, U.S. Newswire http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/temp/0128-126.html