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Subscribe to RSSAn early test of the political power of the gun-control issue in the post-Sandy Hook environment and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s efforts to make it an issue could be developing in Illinois.
It’s being played out in the special election coming up to fill the House seat vacated by Jesse Jackson Jr., who resigned shortly after being re-elected under the specter of a Justice Department investigation.
Bloomberg’s Independence USA PAC is spending more than $400,000 on independent expenditure ads, attacking one of the candidates, former Democratic Rep. Debbie Halvorson, over her opposition to an assault-weapons ban.
Halvorson, who lost to Jackson last fall by a 42-percentage point margin when their districts were merged after the 2010 redistricting, has accused Bloomberg of trying to “buy an election in Illinois.”
Gun control is also an issue for another candidate, State Sen. Toi Hutchinson. In her first race for the state legislature, she opposed a ban on semi-automatic weapons, high-capacity magazines, the reporting of stolen firearms and supported the right to carry a concealed weapon.
Hutchinson, once Halvorson’s chief of staff, now reversed those positions. She told the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board that she switched after the Sandy Hook School shootings.
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So that's who is paying for those ad's, the print is so small at the bottom of the screen I couldn't see who was doling out the $$$!
I'm still pissed that Jesse Jr. didn't resign until AFTER he was elected, knowing he was already under investigation by the Fed's!
Now his wife has also resigned her city council seat.
“I don’t think it’s about more gun control, I grew up in the South with guns everywhere, and we never shot anyone. Shootings [are] by people who aren’t taught the value of life.”
-Samuel L. Jackson
What? You weren't pissed he was elected in the first place?
Agreed Red
getting into the gun debate. I own an AR15 and use it for target practice at a gun Range. There is no reason that I should not be allowed a 30 round clip. Heck if I wanted a 100 round clip (although unreliable) there is no reason I shouldn't buy it. I only use the weapon at the range and in my house it has a trigger lock and the firing pin is removed from the weapon. The people who commit crimes are not like me. They don't take personal accountability for their actions and act responsibly. Guns are actually cheaper to get illegally than legally.A ban on assault weapons won't change that. There are hunting rifles which fire the same ammunition as an AR15 and can be fired at the same rate. Now i have no issue with back round checks ensuring felons don't have guns. Still, constitutionally we are allowed to bear arms. Originally this was weapons equal to what the government had to ensure it wouldn't run rampant and oppress you. While i don't belive the nanny state is out to get you I don't think you can blame a tool for the actions of those who chose to misuse it.
Chrischambee, Horse pucky, you need an AR15 like a fish needs a bicycle. It has no purpose other then to kill as many human beings as possible in as short a time as possible and there is no need for those extended magazines for civilians either. I question your mental stability if you feel you need such a weapon. You have no constitutional right to such a weapon, what part of well regulated don't you understand about regulating what kind of weapons you can own. Otherwise you could own a rocket launcher, and you can't. That way you can't go into a school and shoot as many first graders as you would like but oh well.
Johntho -
i question your mental stability. You rant on the internet anonymously about politics - clearly a sign of the disturbed man.
I think the better program would to catalog the unbalanced individuals, like you, for constant monitoring. Since its always the crazy ones who use the guns. Better identification of the mentally ill is the solution - lock them up before they go crazy and kill.
Its irrelevant what type of gun was pointed at you when it was fired (would you rather me shoot at you with a shotgun AR-15, or a .32 handgun.?) The cops do a great job of killing with a handgun, and a shotgun will cut you into 2 pieces.
Saying one type is more dangerous than another type is the rantings of a unbalanced mind. ill alert your local police about your looming danger
joshua w morris
Johntho - "Chrischambee, Horse pucky, you need an AR15 like a fish needs a bicycle."
That's the point of much of this discussion. You don't get to pick my Constitutional rights. What I "need" is not up for discussion.
Chrischambee
Have you ever even read the 2nd amendment? It says absolutely nothing about regulating arms. It does say "a well regulated militia...". The point of the 2nd amendment for regulation of our military, not arms, not people. The entire reason for the 2nd amendment granting the right to keep and bear arms is to regulate our military and to keep our government from becoming totalitarian and/or dictatorial. Try actually reading the Constitution before you decide to make ignorant statements about it
MrEd7451......................The point of the 2nd amendment for regulation of our military, not arms, not people. Try actually reading the Constitution before you decide to make ignorant statements about it
mi·li·tia
noun
1.
a body of citizens enrolled for military service, and called out periodically for drill but serving full time only in emergencies.
2.
a body of citizen soldiers as distinguished from professional soldiers.
3.
all able-bodied males considered by law eligible for military service.
4.
a body of citizens organized in a paramilitary group and typically regarding themselves as defenders of individual rights against the presumed interference of the federal government.
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The 2nd Amendment (as any other Amendment to the Constitution) can be argued forever. While I'm not saying that you are wrong or Chris is right, there is room for each to make an argument.You and others believe that the Amendment was put in place so our military would be well regulated against others. People on the other side of the argument have the right to say that it means the civilians of this country have the right to own and bear arms against our government should it become so corrupt that only a war against it would prevent the government from running amuk.
I don’t think legislation is the correct way to go about this, what needs to change is Americas attitude towards guns and it’s gun culture. For example I would ask why doesn’t the shooting industry (not the manufactures but the ranges/clubs) offer an optional service where you can store your guns at the club? After all if you only use the weapon at the club then wouldn’t it be an advantage to store it there? You could save on having a gun locker, why they could even throw in a maintenance plan with it and thus save you with having to keep it oiled and so forth.
Likewise I think the way guns are marketed should change, as most gun mags that advertise the AR15 and others go to great lengths to stress it’s military connection and it’s “lethal efficacy” which is just asking for trouble.
Either way I’m sure there could be a lot the shooting, hunting and manufacturing industries could do to help make things safer without resorting to a complete ban on such weapons. Unfortunately it seems to me that both sides are so entrenched in such extreme positions that nothing will change which is unfortunate.
Only women should have guns ... 75% of their kills are righteous kills.
BCWC,,
That is so wrong. It's not about Race, Gender, Or political affiliation. It's about people with mental problems owning weapons. Period.
My wife does agree with you though. 8-)
<listening to Roberta Flack "Killing me Softly"
75% of their kills are righteous kills?
now there is a sexist statement! Dumb statement too..
Probably not true, BC/WC, but thanks for the laugh anyway!
Good Lord, imagine a bad day at work, the kids are getting on her nerves, hubby can't, in her mind, do anything right and she has PMS. Recipe for murder 1.
You know I taught my wife how to shoot as she got better and better I started wondering if it was such a good idea! She is a better shot than I am.
Reminds me of a bumper sticker. "Don't bug me. I've got PMS and I have a gun."
"she opposed a ban on semi-automatic weapons, high-capacity magazines, the reporting of stolen firearms and supported the right to carry a concealed weapon."
Okay, gun people, here's your chance to educate me. Why on earth would anyone be against the reporting of stolen firearms? Don't you want to get your gun back? Or at least get the insurance money so you can buy a new one? Aren't you worried it could be used in subsequent crimes and then thrown away and be traced back to law-abiding you instead of the criminal who stole it?
Honest, I'm not trying to start an argument, but I'm just not seeing the basis for this one. Unless, of course, you didn't buy it legally yourself to begin with, but that can't be it, because you're a responsible, law-abiding citizen, right?
Anyone? I'm really curious.....
Joanne PA:
Being against reporting stolen guns makes no sense to me, either. Is that the actual position of the candidate, or did the reporter misjudge the position or make an omission of some detail in a more nuanced position? More information is needed to ascertain the answer.
as a gun owner, i agree with the part about getting it back in lieu of a crime being used. I would report it 100% of the time...I wont agree with the state senator on the part of not reporting of stolen firearms and JoAnne I doubt any of us responsible legal gun owners would disagree with your concern
[as a gun owner...]
Sure you are... ;)
Aww, come on, Mickey - Caesar and I are having a rare civil moment here - let me cherish it while it lasts! :)
Okay, I did a bit of research on my own and found this story from Pittsburgh last year about the NRA fighting an ordinance they passed there about lost or stolen guns:
"City Council passed the ordinance in December 2008, and it took effect without Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's signature. It requires owners to report lost or stolen firearms within 24 hours of noticing they're missing.
The NRA and the four residents sued the city a year ago in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, claiming the ordinance exceeded the city's authority. Judge R. Stanton Wettick Jr. threw out the suit in July, saying the residents hadn't been harmed by the ordinance - none had been prosecuted for violating the reporting requirement, for example - and lacked standing to challenge it.
(NRA Atorney) Ms. Jones-Rolla said the ordinance has infringed on the residents' ownership rights in various ways, such as by implying they must inventory their weapons so they know when one is missing."
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/nra-continues-fight-against-pittsburgh-lost-guns-ordinance-243293/#ixzz2HgUtVotP
Sounds like a pretty lame argument to me - again, wouldn't you WANT to know if one was missing? It's stuff like this that makes the NRA look even more ridiculous than they already are.....
[Aww, come on, Mickey - Caesar and I are having a rare civil moment here - let me cherish it while it lasts!]
Sorry JoAnne, I messed up. Cherish away!
But be warned...he's just trying to get into your knickers. ;)
No problem, Mickey - unless it's Ben Affleck, Bradley Cooper or Keith Urban, my knickers are off limits!
JoAnne - we'll fight over Ben Affleck but I'd also take the gorgeous Aussie Alex O'Loughlin!
you asked a question that deserved an honest response. You could have left out the last part of your statement for not wanting an argument but i digress.
As for Beavis, I have him on ignore so i could careless what she said. As Fisty said, it will make your FR experience more enjoyable. I agree with Fisty for once.
Im not part of the NRA, no desire. They stand up for gun rights (although im sure you'll argue they stand up for the gun manufacturers). I wont get into that. It doesnt infringe on my right to own a gun by reporting it, so i agree with the statement being silly. In fact quite the opposite, pretty irresponsible not to report it.
Opposing the theft of a firearem is ridiculous. I would rather see it that the firearm must be reported within 24 hourse of it's disappearance being discovered. If it isn't and a crime is committed using the firearm the registered owner, the person who failed to report it missing, could be charged as an accessory to the crime. Besides one would think someone who owned a gun, like any other property, would not want it stolen in the first place but if it is they would want it back ASAP.
Definitely have a fight on your hands if it is Ben Affleck or Bradley Cooper! Keith Urban is too "small" for my taste. SS, will have to check out Alex O'Loughlin. Have not heard of this man!
Mickey: You always make me laugh!
baldeagle: Isn't that how it works with a car? If you don't report your vehicle stolen and a week later a body is found in it(I tend to go for the macabre scenarios!), you can be charged as an accessory.
Caesar, I'll admit to being a wee bit provocative with that last part of my statement, but only because I really wanted to hear from somebody who would actually defend that non-reporting part. Looks like nobody wants to bite. Thanks for the moment anyway. :)
Alaska Girl - I'm as tall as Nicole Kidman - so if she can deal with "little Keith", so can I! Alex O'Loughlin is the guy who plays Steve McGarrett on the new Hawaii Five-O. I could probably make room for him at the inn, too.....
Have at it, JoAnne, I don't mess with women taller than my 5'9''!
as I said there is nothing to defend.
If your guns are stolen, they're worth more money?
I have NO IDEA! Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of the NRA!
Lots of foreign money involved................
My guess is the person reporting misunderstood or the editors made a mistake. No one on either side of the issue except the criminals is opposed to the reporting of stolen property.
fuzzy44
What a disingenious statement, we as a Nation had the Fast and Furious scandal and you talk about the evil in the NRA.
Certain stolen guns on the black market are worth good money...much like cars or anything else
@ Joanne
I agree. Every gun owner has a responsibility to report stolen fire arms. If her statement is substantiated, I would say she shouldn't be running for office anywhere
Hey ladies. My wife thinks Steven Wilson is a far better choice. Progressive
@ Joanne,
The answer to your question is, she was not against the reporting of stolen firearms. What she was against was the larger bill in which that paragraph was a part.
Really it's trickery used by ones opponent. To loudly announce your opposition to something most everyone finds useful or beneficial simply because you voted against a 1000 page bill that is all bad except for a few paragraphs. I'm not sure which is worse being against reporting firearm theft or the repugnance of politicians. I know whish one actually does more harm to society. I hope that helps.
BCWC, That's pretty funny.
Lisa ... it is not funny, I wish it were. A gun is not an extension of any female part that I can think of.
BCWC, Sorry if I offended you.
nope, only a man (rolling my eyes)..
divorced are you? Now the real granite monolith understood numbers.
did I not enter into your vacuum of silence? ... Guess ya got da hots for me ... @!$%# , and Mickey too.
Lisa, you did not offend me.
ok problem solved...now your on ignore then...so fine...no skin off our noses eh Canadian HOSER... HAHAHAH
[...now your on ignore then...]
Sure we are... ;)
BCWC, FAIL! caesar will be conversing with himself before too long.
Mickey,
he is the Kaiser of oneriesm. ... a loaf of bread ... a jug of wine ... and a handful of thou, let me call you Brutus my steed.
Did GraniteBoy just call you a "canadian hoser"? Wasn't that a hit when "Strange Brew" was popular? And I do believe it is a redundant comment, to call one of our Northern Brothers in Beer a "canadian hoser".
Blockhead is off the rails of late ... it's all windmills in his mind ... Spanky's whatever twin Spankme.
[...it's all windmills in his mind...]
I'm thinking a carousel with circus music in the background.
circus maximus to be sure ... I am Spartacus ... no wait a minute, he read Trotsky.
It appears that y'all exhausted your back and forth, but can I just say that I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between you two, and the ass kicking you both gave to Pizza Boy?! FR would suck if not for either of you men!
did some one say martini ... I see double .. posts so sorry.
by your definition, I'd be dead. Contrary to popular liberal limp wristed belief, us gun owners dont own guns to compensate for any anatomy. You continue to beat that drum of you typed it therefore it's true. Keep flying high with those wax wings, i assure you gravity is not on your side.
The granite monolith was the pontifex maximus and a one percenter, both of which liberals abhor.
Am I supposed to redirect you to an earlier post, or are you just trying to have makeup sex ... you are gay ... but then I am not. Where do you want to go with this? I can set you up with Joe in BaaaaBaaaaBaaa land ... sheep don't give a @!$%# and it appears that you have a leftward bend for them, righteously speaking.
egregious pre 16th century = distinguished
Does anyone else think that Bloomberg is running for President in 2016?
I think he is posturing and testing the water. He is that arrogant and narcissistic so if the present POTUS is any indication, he would get 53% of the vote. But, I think if Hillary runs, big if, he may back off of his water testing posturing.
Talk I bet Hillary runs and yes Bloomberg won't. You won't see an Independent win. He'll have to commit to the Communist Party known as the DNC. Besides he'll almost be 75, not really an age people want to see in a POTUS.
Talk - again your posts shows how jealous the far right is of our President. It would be laughable if you weren't so sad!
yeah Talk, youre just jealous of the monarch
@ Joanne,
The answer to your question is, she was not against the reporting of stolen firearms. What she was against was the larger bill in which that paragraph was a part.
Really it's trickery used by ones opponent. To loudly announce your opposition to something most everyone finds useful or beneficial simply because you voted against a 1000 page bill that is all bad except for a few paragraphs. I'm not sure which is worse being against reporting firearm theft or the repugnance of politicians. I know whish one actually does more harm to society. I hope that helps.
Idiots behind guns,kill people
So Bloomberg buys himself some more politicians...
this is news?
I saw that ad run here a few times in Illinois. So Bloomberg is trying to flex his muscle here in Illinois! He wants us to ignore the fact that Halvorson respects the constitution of the US and also ignore the fact that Jessie Jackson was as corrupt as they come! He (Bloomberg) would us to replace that seat with another corrupt democrat! I don't think so!!!
I love the way that these anti gun highly educated self proclimed interpreters of the words used in our Constitiution to mena what they say they means, when infact they should look up the meaning in and encyclopedia, and all of the extensions of the words such as 'Well and Regulated', and then they would possibly be able to understand them and words like ' A Privilage, and A Right' as in one granted by the State to drive, and one gauranteed by the Law of the Land as is Constitutional Rights and Amenedment that deliniate between the two examples I use here.
BTW I do not belong to the NRA, nor to I have a bunch of jackass political party baffoons behind me that repeat the lies of the media and the White House, such as the weapons that everyone keep labelling as ASSUALT WEAPONS are not, and the "AR 15" is a model of the true ASSUALT RIFLES used by our military and other in the world who the United States Government has supplied, as can be seen in the Epoch screw up by them in the 'FAST and Furious' they planned to use to get more gun control against the American people who are law abiding American gun owners of which I am one, and I don't not belong to an unregulated political party as most of you who want to restict my rights and keep your own what a bunch of butt wipe hypocrits, and then you cry about the saftey and security of ALL Americans yeah right your Americans alright by whose's unregulated thinking is that a possible fact.
So it might help for you who know nothing to learn to read the Americanized English we suse everyday to understand the real meaning of the words that our founders used to clrify what was to be expected of all citizens, and not just the few, and many of you psot things like the 1st Amendment and say that you can't use it to slander others well you again are nothing more than hypocrits as you call any and all gun owners 'retard, tea bag nuts, and outright call us crazy, insane or uneducated, irresponsible and immoral' just to name a few of your slandeous words and then you calim you are christians and if we gunowners were chritian we would give up our guns, so how does all this slander get covered by the 1st Amendment if it is illegal to do this, oh btw it is also illegal to exhibit discrimination against and indiviuual or a group under Federal Discrimination Law and yet you seem to think it is alright for you to be criminals like thos e who have commited mass murder as you are trig to do to the American gun owners, but the it is not the same as pulling a trigger, but believe me it will get the same result as more people will die for your lack of resposible thinking the problem through, but then you are beyond compromise because you asinine thinking tells you you are right and any gun owner who want their right are just out of luck and you know what is good for us as Washington's liars, crooks and thieves think you are nothing more than children and can't think for yourself and then believe they will.
Wrong their job is to protect the Nation from any kind of outside aggression, with the use of military force whne needed it is up to us to pprotect ourselves from any type of tyranny from in or outside the Country of America, get it from INSIDE, OR OUTSIDE the United States as is written in our Constitution and unalienable rights given by God, and not by man in our Bill of Rights.
If you think not then you don't deserve the sme rights I or any other American deserve if you are not smart enough to know the difference of living your life or being used as pawns in some one else's agenda.
Think About the real truth of being led to beleive the lies over and over, and the divide and conquer effect of being adult enough to meet and compromise as you did as children and the fact that there were never any real conflict, just a misunderstanding of rights, and privialges.
Petty tryrants like Bloomberg and his fat laws and Big Glup regulations are the reason we have the 2nd amendment. It not just for militias I'm sure by the standards of the time his 30,000 member police force would be considered a militia but for the individuals right to protect themselves from the misuse of those militias by petty tryrants.. in positions of power. Can you imagine what Bloomberg would be like with no checks on his power. I can certainly see why he would love a completely disarmed population.
Does anyone find it interesting that instead of donating $350 mil to those in need from Sandy, Bloomberg donates that money to his alma matter Johns Hopkins? I mean Johns Hopkins needs this money soooo bad. Just admit it Mayor, you care less about those you serve, than your big money friends. Nothing like another demo...er...indepe...rethuglican money grubbing piece of crap
With Fat Cat billionaires like Bloomberg and Soros trying to run our country. Be afraid, very very afraid!