RED ALERT: Madigan declares Wednesday “GUN DAY”… votes expected on anti-gun bills.

House Speaker Michael Madigan has declared this coming Wednesday, February 28th as "GUN DAY" in the Illinois House.  This comes following the tragic Florida school massacre where Broward (Florida) Sheriff's Office not only failed to head dozens of calls about a savage sicko, but whose officers literally cowered outside as the killer committed his atrocity.  In deep blue Illinois, Democrats believe we must "do something" in response.  And Wednesday is their "do something" day.

What's on deck?  Here's a story from CapitolFax outlining the Illinois Democratic Machine's point of view on things:

In the wake of another tragic mass shooting claiming innocent lives at a Florida high school, Speaker Michael J. Madigan and House Democrats will advance a package of legislation next week that includes stricter regulation of gun dealers, restrictions on the purchase of military-style assault rifles, and stronger laws to keep individuals with a history of mental illness from obtaining guns.

“Young people and families whose lives have been forever changed by tragic school shootings went to their state capital and to Washington this week to demand their local legislators and President Trump get serious about enacting tougher gun laws. Their voices need to be heard because it’s now clearer than ever that while it’s the politicians who are refusing to act, it’s our children who suffer the consequences,” Madigan said. “Here in Illinois, Democrats will act on their plea. We will pursue legislation that limits access to the military-style assault rifles that were used to make schools in Florida and Newton into war zones. We will take steps to keep firearms out of the hands of people with a history of mental illness. And we will hold gun dealers accountable to ensure they are complying with the law.”

Never mind that Illinois dealers have a longer "time to crime" than the national average.  It's all about driving Illinois gun dealers (except for the big box stores who got an exemption) out of business.  Nevermind that Illinois would tell an 18-year-old serving overseas in a war zone that when he comes home on leave he can't be trusted with a police patrol-style rifle.  And, of course, nevermind that Illinois already has strong measures which allow officials to keep guns out of the hands of those with mental illnesses or those who pose a danger to themselves or others. 

In other words, this effort by Madigan and anti-gun Democrats in Illinois isn't about making Illinois streets safer.  It's about keeping guns out of the hands of GOOD GUYS.

Madigan plans to call for a vote on gun dealer licensing legislation next week. The measure will hold gun dealers to the same standard as many other licensed professions including car dealerships, real estate agencies, and even beauty salons, to ensure gun shops meet basic levels of security and training and are complying with all state and federal laws.

But Big Box stores are except from all of it.  Training?  Who needs training when a girl – a teenage girl from Arts and Crafts can sell a gun in a big box store.

“The tragic loss of life we witness on a daily basis on our streets, in our state and across our nation is a moral crisis that demands action,” said Cardinal Blase Cupich. “We must hear the voices of the children whose lives are forever changed and of the families who mourn and resolve to enact strong commonsense laws to help stop this madness. It is not too much to say that innocent people are dying as much from lack of courage and political will among our leaders as from bullets. Action is overdue and urgent.”

No mention that it's not the law-abiding folks who commit these horrific crimes.  But law abiding folks are the ones who have to endure additional rules that no murderer cares about?

In addition to gun dealer licensing, Madigan plans to call a vote on a measure empowering family members and law enforcement to take steps to protect loved ones and the public. The Lethal Violence Order of Protection Act will allow family members or law enforcement officers to ask a court to temporarily intervene and prevent those who are a threat to themselves or others from possessing firearms.

Cops can already do this.  This bill would allow a mother-in-law who hates guns to complain about "her grandchildren" being around guns in their homes.  Why you even clean your guns in front of your children!  The horrors!

House Democrats will also present legislation preventing people under 21 from purchasing military-style assault rifles, and enhanced screening requirements that will prevent people with a history of mental illness from purchasing firearms.

Purchasing, possessing, shooting…  It's all semantics, right?

“Illinois can—and should—enact some of the strongest gun laws in the country, but those laws will only be keeping our children, families and communities safe from gun violence if gun dealers are following them,” said Kathleen Sances, president and CEO of the Gun Violence Prevention PAC. “Holding gun shops accountable is critical to preventing people with dangerous histories from obtaining guns, tracking lost and stolen firearms, and cracking down on straw purchasers.”

Cracking down on straw purchasers?  You mean like all those cases that states attorneys across Illinois ignore on a regular basis?  Or the ones where a person sells a bunch of guns to gang bangers then gets a pat on the wrist and some community service?

Here's ISRA's alert:

Wednesday, February 28th, has been deemed “GUN DAY” by the Illinois Legislature, and the cast of anti-2A usual suspects will be amassing in the State Capitol of Springfield. They are emboldened by the fever pitch of the recent tragedy in Florida and feel the wind is at their back as they move, as always, to infringe further upon the rights given to us by our Founding Forefathers. The primary pieces of legislation that will be voted on will likely be overreaching  “assault weapons” restrictions, the gun dealer licensing bill and its grossly inadequate trailer bill.

We at the Illinois State Rifle Association and Springfield Armory are heartbroken and disturbed by the acts of violence in Florida, committed by a mentally unstable individual that so many that knew, and reported, to be a danger to our citizens.

We at the Illinois State Rifle Association and Springfield Armory?  Huh?  Springfield Armory?  Springfield Armory is DIRECTLY responsible for this bill still breathing oxygen.  From my story at The Truth About Guns.

Springfield Armory, Rock River Arms Trade Opposition to Illinois FFL Licensing Scheme for Carve-Out

Earlier today, the Illinois State Senate passed bill SB-1657 by a one-vote margin. While its prospects are still unsure in the House, if signed by Governor Bruce Rauner, the new law will mandate state licensing for all Illinois gun dealers. It will also restrict all others in Illinois to nine firearmtransfers per year.

The lobbyist for the Illinois Firearms Manufacturers Association (IFMA), Jay Keller, traded that group’s opposition to the bill in exchange for a carve-out, removing Prairie State firearms manufacturers from the licensing requirements.

Two companies provide the bulk of the funding for IFMA: Springfield Armory and Rock River Arms.

Back to the ISRA's otherwise very good alert…

It is only natural in times like these to want to do SOMETHING. It is also in times like this that we must not act solely for the sake of acting. Clear headed discussions, free of emotion and knee-jerk reactions must be the order of the day. We must do something to protect our children so that these horrible acts are stopped for good. We also must do what is necessary to ensure the survival of our Second Amendment, the Amendment that protects all others. The Amendment our Founders trusted to our Republic with the words “Shall Not be Infringed”. These rights were fought for and earned with the blood of American Patriots at places like Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, and Trenton.

Now is the time to act. With the specter of further 2A infringements looming tall over Springfield, Illinois in the coming week, it is imperative that you contact your State Legislators and demand that they uphold their Oath to protect the Constitution of our beloved United States of America – and let them know you oppose any type of “assault weapons” restrictions, the gun dealer licensing bill and its grossly inadequate trailer bill. Freedom is not free. It must be fought for against the forces who would happily give up our most sacred rights and freedoms.

Please use the link below to identify and get contact information for your Illinois State Representative and Illinois State Senator:

http://www.elections.il.gov/districtlocator/addressfinder.aspx

"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves."
– William Pitt (the Younger), Speech in the House of Commons, November 18, 1783

Ladies and gents, make those calls!