Illinois Sheriffs’ Association opposes increased gun control, Mayors Against Illegal Guns to rally in Washington, D.C.

Online Staff Report

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association (ISA), at their Winter Training Conference, adopted a resolution that mirrors the National Sheriffs’ Association resolution passed at their Mid-Winter Conference in Washington, D.C.

The ISA’s resolution states, “[T]he Illinois Sheriffs’ Association supports the rights conferred by the Second Amendment and further recognizes the ultimate authority of the courts in interpreting the scope of those constitutional rights.”

Seventy-three sheriffs were in attendance at the Illinois Conference in Springfield, Ill.

The sheriffs also voted unanimously not to support the proposed legislation House Bill 132, which would ban certain weapons.

According to a press release from the ISA: “Sheriffs from across the state of Illinois believe it is their responsibility and duty to uphold the Constitution, including the Second Amendment. Rational, law-abiding citizens are not the cause of random acts of horrific violence in our communities. The focus should be primarily on the lack of mental health services in our country.

“County jails continue to detain individuals who have been remanded to the Department of Human Service Mental Health Division for treatment. On Feb. 8, there were 68 of these individuals waiting for placement, some of which have been waiting for over four months.”

Meantime, Illinoisans affected by gun violence will be part of more than 120 survivors and family members in Washington, D.C., this week as part of Mayors Against Illegal Guns’ “Demand A Plan” campaign for gun law reforms. Survivors and family members from 21 states and Washington, D.C., will participate.

Cleopatra Cowly-Pendleton, whose daughter Hadiya Pendleton was murdered just days after performing in President Barack Obama’s inauguration, will attend the State of the Union.

Also participating in the Mayors Against Illegal Guns’ “Demand A Plan” campaign will be Thomas and Carolyn Wortham, whose son was killed by a gun bought by straw purchasers; Annette Nance-Holt, whose son was killed by gun violence; Mary Kay Mace, whose daughter was killed in mass shooting at Northern Illinois University in February 2008; Pam Bosley, whose son was killed by gun violence; Theresa O’Rourke, whose best friend was killed with a gun purchased on Armslist.com by a prohibited purchaser; and Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins, whose relatives were killed by gun violence.

As part of their meetings with members of Congress this week, survivors and family members will advocate for legislation that will accomplish the following:

• Require every gun buyer to pass a criminal background check;

• Get military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines off the streets; and

• Make gun trafficking a federal crime.

Since its inception in April 2006, Mayors Against Illegal Guns has grown from 15 mayors to more than 850 mayors from across the country. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino (D) are co-chairmen of the bipartisan coalition. Visit www.DemandAPlan.org for more details.

Posted Feb. 11, 2013

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