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ISRA Applauds Introduction Of Defensive Firearms Bill
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
ISRA Applauds Introduction Of Defensive Firearms Bill To: State Desk Contact: Richard Pearson of the Illinois State Rifle Association, 815-635-3198; Web site: http://www.isra.org SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Feb. 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA): The ISRA is applauding the introduction of HB 4959 -- The Family and Personal Protection Act. Introduced by Rep. Bill Mitchell (R-Forsyth), the proposal would allow qualified citizens to carry defensive firearms as a means of self-protection. The bill's provisions take great care to address legitimate public safety concerns over the qualifications of those who would be licensed under the bill. Extensive FBI and State Police background checks would weed out criminals, street gang members, and mentally ill individuals. Applicants would also be required to show proof of training, knowledge of pertinent laws, and show proof of successful completion of live-fire qualification examinations. Studies published by Yale University researcher John Lott have documented a distinct reduction in violent crimes in states where citizens are allowed to carry defensive firearms. That reduction is attributed not only to publicized cases of citizens using firearms for self defense, but to the deterrent value of the potential criminal not knowing who is carrying a defensive firearm, and who is not. Illinois is currently one of a handful of states that prohibit law-abiding citizens from carrying firearms for self-defense. As a result, Illinois residents are easy prey for muggers, murderers and rapists. This is especially unsettling given the fact that Chicago is the nation's reigning murder capital. Passage of HB 4959 would provide great comfort to people like the single mom who must work the late shift, or the doctor who chooses to see patients in the inner city, or the unfortunate motorist who gets stranded on a lonely Illinois highway. "Here is an excellent opportunity to provide peace of mind to a great number of Illinois citizens," commented ISRA president Richard Pearson. "Passage of HB 4959 would mean that law-abiding residents would be given a choice in how and when to defend themselves. Right now, that choice is being made by some nameless thug on a street corner. We'd like to see the Illinois House change that."
The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. For nearly a century, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners. KEYWORDS: ILLINOIS, GUNS/FIREARMS, POLICY http://www.usnewswire.com -0- /U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/ 02/06 15:36 Copyright 2002, U.S. Newswire http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/temp/0206-136.html
The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. For nearly a century, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners. KEYWORDS: ILLINOIS, GUNS/FIREARMS, POLICY http://www.usnewswire.com -0- /U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/ 02/06 15:36 Copyright 2002, U.S. Newswire http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/temp/0206-136.html