Hair on Fire - Stand with the Kids

Hair on Fire - Stand with the Kids!

By Carla Feinkind

Another crazy person slaughtered 17 people at a high school. Same old. Except this time, the kids stood up!

Across the nation, high school kids are marching out of classrooms! They're declaring that NOW IS THE TIME TO BAN ALL MILITARY-STYLE WEAPONS, TO REQUIRE RIGOROUS BACKGROUND CHECKS, and TO GET THE NRA MONEY OUT OF POLITICS. The kids took their message all the way to Trump. 

Of course, Trump, the NRA and the GOP tried to deflect. "It is not guns, it's crazy people!"  "There's nothing we can do." But, there are "crazy" people everywhere, and yet we're the only country with such high numbers of gun deaths! No! The problem is the ease with which people can get military style assault weapons and inconsistent gun laws, not mental health!

Still, Trump, the GOP and the NRA say we need better mental health records. But then, why did Trump RESCIND the executive order that Obama signed which kept the mentally ill from buying guns? And why does the GOP want to gut healthcare and Medicaid when those are the only safety nets in place for mental health?!Now, Trump touts the NRA's dangerous idea of arming teachers! Beyond the financial problems – who will pay for the guns, training, and insurance – there is the emotional dilemma:  what if a teacher kills a student in a melee, or a kid steals the teacher's gun to settle a score? Then, there's the tactical issue – even trained police have a hit rate of only 18% in a crisis!

Eventually, Trump "agreed" to ban bump stocks, to raise the legal buying age to 21, and to "look into" the mental health issue. This is a start, but it is not enough! 

STAND WITH THE KIDS! CALL CONGRESS AT (202) 224-3121, CALL OFTEN! 

- WE WILL NOT VOTE FOR ANYONE WHO TAKES NRA MONEY!

- WE DEMAND A BAN ON MILITARY-STYLE WEAPONS IN CIVILIAN HANDS!

- WE DEMAND RIGOROUS ANNUAL BACKGROUND CHECKS!

- WE DEMAND A LIMIT ON THE SIZE OF AMMUNITION CLIPS!

WE WILL NOT LOOK AWAY! WE WILL BE PART OF THE SOLUTION! WE STAND WITH THE KIDS!

Gun Safey - Big Victory in Illinois

Gun Violence Prevention – A Big Victory in Illinois

In our February Newsletter, Joanna Williams and Sara Knizhnik wrote an article providing information about why gun dealer licensing (SB 1657) is important to gun violence prevention in Illinois.  On February 28^th, our legislators passed SB 1657 and it’s now ready for Rauner’s signature.  Legislators also made progress on other bills.

The following is from a Facebook post by Tanja Radakovich Murray from Moms Demand Action IL.  Tanja has worked tirelessly advocate to make our communities safer.  Here’s her update on the recent legislative session:

Yesterday [February 28] was a BIG VICTORY for Gun Violence Prevention [GVP] in IL!  FIVE HUNDRED Moms Demand Action members, along with a hundred more IL Gun Violence Coalition members from multiple organizations, got to witness 5 GVP bills pass at least one chamber; the most important one to pass is the Gun Dealer Licensing Act which has been shown to reduce gun violence 64% in other states who have passed the law.  Many in the IL Gun Violence Prevention Coalition have been working for 15 years to get it passed.  For the first time it passed not just one but both chambers and is awaiting the Governor to sign it into law.”

Summary of all the bills that passed:

The biggest victory of the day: SB 1657 (& HB 2354 the Trailer bill) The Gun Dealer Licensing Act - Rep Willis - passed the House (previously passed the Senate). This is the only bill that has passed both chambers now as of yesterday and is ready to be signed into law by Rauner.  He has 90 days to veto or sign into law so keep circulating that petition!!!

SB 559 - Lethal Violence Order of Protection (LVOP) - Senator Morrison - PASSED the Senate - must now go for a vote in the House

HB 1465 – increases age to purchase semi-automatic weapons and high capacity ammunition feeding devices to 21 - Rep Mussman - PASSED the House - must now go for a vote in the Senate

HB 1467 - Bump Stock Ban - Rep Moylan - PASSED the House - must now go for a vote in the Senate

HB 1468 – Puts a 72-hour waiting period on the sale of assault weapons - Rep Carroll - PASSED the House - now must go for a vote in the Senate.

We are not finished! Please sign and share this petition for Rauner NOT to “veto” the Gun Dealer Licensing Bill!! 

https://ilgvp.com/ouronejob-petition/

Thank you!!!

Gun Safety - Resonable Gun Legislation - Bill Foster

Reasonable Gun Legislation – Representative Bill Foster’s Perspective

Gun safety in our communities and what we can do about it has been a key topic of conversation since the mass shooting in Parkland.  The students from Parkland are making their voices heard, and the hope is that Washington does not repeat their old habits of “sending thoughts and prayers” and doing nothing except to follow the NRA’s directives.  

Recently, Bill Foster sent the following email to share his position on gun control legislation:

“I wanted to take a moment to update you on my position on gun control legislation in light of the recent tragedy in Parkland, Florida that killed 17 people.

Congress has a duty to pass comprehensive gun control legislation, and there are common sense reforms we can adopt to make our communities safer for everyone.

I support a ban on assault weapons that are designed to kill as many people as possible in a short amount of time. It is no coincidence that the shooters in in Orlando, Las Vegas, and Parkland chose to use an assault weapon. They are weapons of war and have no place in our communities.

97 percent of Americans support legislation to require background checks for all gun buyers. Background checks are a sensible gun violence prevention measure to keep guns out of the wrong hands, and I strongly support making them universal.

I also support a host of gun safety legislation including measures to raise the minimum age to purchase firearms from 18 to 21 and the Gun Violence Restraining Order Act, which provides tools to family members to prevent an individual who they fear is a danger to themselves or others from possessing a gun.

Every American deserves to go to work or school without fear of violence. Congress must take action and pass common sense reforms to make our communities safer. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. It's time to act on guns.  

Feel free to forward this email and tell your friends and family to sign up to receive updates on the work we're doing in Washington, DC, and at home in Illinois.

Remember, I am here to work for you. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to e-mail me, call my office, or connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.”

Gun Safety - Possible Gun Safety Legislation

Possible Gun Safety Legislation

Edited from a Facebook post, common sense gun safety legislation to think about:

·       Close all acquisition loopholes – universal background checks

·       Require training for permits to purchase

·       Enhance training for permits to carry; State-administered test

·       Carry permits expire yearly instead of in 5 years

·       Longer waiting periods, even with permits

·       Require purchase/carry permit for ammunition

·       Ammunition purchase limits

·       Lower magazine capacity

·       Require sheriffs to store guns for free if you know you shouldn’t have them right now

·       Firearm registration with strong privacy law

·       Secure storage requirements at all times and places, not just around minors

·       Must be at least 21 to buy rifles and/or certain class of assault rifles

·       0% blood alcohol level while carrying (to include no level of intoxication from other drugs)

·       Enhance reporting of charges and convictions