Illinois Gubernatorial Candidates on Guns

[wep45]

Ill. gubernatorial candidates on guns

By The Associated Press
12:24 p.m. CST, December 12, 2009


The Associated Press recently asked candidates for Illinois governor questions about gun-control legislation.

Here are highlights of their answers:

QUESTION: "Would you sign or veto legislation banning the sale and possession of semiautomatic assault-style weapons in Illinois?"

REPUBLICANS

-- Adam Andrzejewski: "Would veto a ban on semiautomatic 'assault weapons' in most circumstances. It comes down (to) law abiding citizens having the right to defend their life, liberty and property."

-- Bill Brady: "I am opposed to any further restrictions to the ownership of firearms as guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and would veto legislation banning the sale and possession of semiautomatic weapons."

-- Kirk Dillard: "Without having more sufficient detail, including the definition of an "assault-style weapon," and for what circumstances the use of these weapons would be approved, this question is difficult to answer."

-- Andy McKenna: "I believe in the Second Amendment and law abiding citizen's right to own firearms to protect their families and for sporting purposes.

-- Dan Proft: "I would veto such legislation. ... I believe arbitrary gun bans are unconstitutional and would oppose such bans."

-- Jim Ryan: "I would sign it provided it was narrowly drawn and did not violate our 2nd Amendment rights."

-- Bob Schillerstrom: "I would sign constitutionally sound legislation banning assault weapons in Illinois."

Democrats

-- Dan Hynes: "I would sign legislation banning the sale and possession of semiautomatic assault-style weapons in Illinois.

-- Pat Quinn: "I would sign legislation banning the sale and possession of semiautomatic assault-style weapons."

-- William "Dock" Walls: "I would sign such legislation."

GREEN

-- Rich Whitney: "If it truly and accurately defines assault weapons in a manner that does not impair the rights of lawful gun owners to possess firearms for defensive purposes, and respects the rights of legitimate gun collectors, then yes, I would sign it."

---



QUESTION: "Would you sign or veto legislation allowing concealed-carry for handguns?"

REPUBLICANS
-- Adam Andrzejewski: "I would sign it. ... Law abiding citizens have this right."

-- Bill Brady: "Constitutional rights should be afforded to eligible, law-abiding Illinois citizens, and therefore concealed carry should be legalized.

-- Kirk Dillard: "With proper training and thorough background checks, and dependent upon the exact language drafted in the legislation, I could support allowing concealed-carry for handguns as almost every other state in the nation has done."

-- Andy McKenna: "I am opposed to concealed-carry legislation."

-- Dan Proft: "I would sign right to carry legislation."

-- Jim Ryan: "I would veto. I believe reasonable people can differ on this issue but on balance, drawing from my experience as a law enforcement official, I believe we are better off without concealed-carry."

-- Bob Schillerstrom: "I would veto legislation allowing concealed carry for handguns. I am a supporter of the Second Amendment; however, I do not believe that concealed carry is a solution for reducing crime in the State of Illinois."

Democrats

-- Dan Hynes: Hynes didn't take a position on concealed carry in general but did say he opposes a new law letting people bring concealed guns into someone else's home if they have permission.

-- Pat Quinn: "I would veto legislation allowing concealed-carry for handguns."

-- William "Dock" Walls: "I would veto conceal and carry legislation."

GREEN

-- Rich Whitney: "I would sign legislation allowing concealed-carry or open carry -- although ... I would prefer that any such legislation allow individual counties to opt out if they so chose."

 

[Aran]

Odd, a guy named Brady would get my vote.

 

[Autolycus]

I read a different answer for the Green Party Candidate Mr. Rich Whitney. This was the quote I read

–– Rich Whitney: "If it truly and accurately defines assault weapons in a manner that does not impair the rights of lawful gun owners to possess firearms for defensive purposes, and respects the rights of legitimate gun collectors, then yes, I would sign it." - Rich Whitney Green Party Gubernatorial Candidate

So it looks like I maybe voting Green if this quote is correct and not the one in the first posting of this thread.

 

[GlockFan]

Thanks for posting. I was going to start looking for that info myself.

 

[ClayInTX]

Brady and Proft gave straight concise answers in favor of guns for the citizen. You Illini need to get behind one of these guys. Pick one, don’t let the vote get split.

Illinois now, then on to Wisconsin and Massachusetts.

Can we sell Chicago to Canada? Maybe if we pay them?

 

[Kerf]

my nikels worth...

Keeping in mind that Illinois is out on the flat end of the Bell Curve as a state, as far as, the rights of it’s citizens to own firearms is concerned, I would seriously question whether your vote is actually counted there. I sent the NRA a hundred bucks for their 2nd Amendment lawsuit against the city and think that will have a much greater impact than which candidate an individual chooses to vote for. I would counsel everyone concerned to do the same. The NRA’s efforts will have a much greater impact on your daily plight than those gubernatorial candidates wiffling and hemming and hawing, waiting to see which way the winds blowing.

I mean, if the will of the people were being followed there, they wouldn’t be having night games at Wrigley Field. Right? And, I guess the 200,000 people in Chicago who didn’t bother to cash their $600.00 government refund checks probably don’t bother to show up to vote, either?? 10% sales tax gets you what???? What’s the number on Governors currently / pending jail time???? With a murder rate that exceeds US casualties in Iraq, the Olympic Selection Committee gives them the ‘bum’s rush’ off the world stage when they choose Brazil over Chicago!!! Wake up and smell what you’re standing in.

So, make sure you vote and send the NRA a few of your ‘real votes’, because they are going to put a stake in the heart of that ‘Beast’.

kerf

 

[EddieNFL]

I am a supporter of the Second Amendment; however, I do not believe that concealed carry is a solution for reducing crime in the State of Illinois."

Maybe their legislature should use the same CCW laws of the states that witnessed crime drop after enactment. But, like most politicians, I'm sure the facts won't hinder their agenda.

 

[GlockFan]

For you out of staters, you should see how hot and bothered Daley gets when talking about guns. I don't know how much can be done with him and his boys in play in this state though. I do plan on voting for one of the top repubs.

 

[TexasRifleman]

I don't know how much can be done with him and his boys in play in this state though.

I think the Supremes are about to show him a couple of new tricks

 

[gunnutery]

I'm from Iowa, which isn't too bad for gun laws, but concealed carry laws could be a lot better. I think if Illinois (of all places) were to change, Iowa may have to take another look at it's own laws. Now if we could just stop getting Iowa from listening to California.

Thanks for posting, and good luck!

 

[Deanimator]

I am a supporter of the Second Amendment; however, I do not believe that concealed carry is a solution for reducing crime in the State of Illinois."

Maybe their legislature should use the same CCW laws of the states that witnessed crime drop after enactment. But, like most politicians, I'm sure the facts won't hinder their agenda.

OR, he could state his intention to stand by his belief in gun control for EVERYBODY, by supporting a state law which removes from members of the Chicago City Council, the right to own and carry handguns so as to put them on the same level as every other non-LEO in Chicago.

 

[627PCFan]

"- Jim Ryan: "I would veto. I believe reasonable people can differ on this issue but on balance, drawing from my experience as a law enforcement official, I believe we are better off without concealed-carry."

And I believe we are better of without you as a law enforcement official...........

 

[EddieNFL]

OR, he could state his intention to stand by his belief in gun control for EVERYBODY, by supporting a state law which removes from members of the Chicago City Council, the right to own and carry handguns so as to put them on the same level as every other non-LEO in Chicago.

Odds are better the sun will rise in the west tomorrow (John Wayne movies excepted).

 

[Blue .45]

-- Bob Schillerstrom: "I would veto legislation allowing concealed carry for handguns. I am a supporter of the Second Amendment; however, I do not believe that concealed carry is a solution for reducing crime in the State of Illinois."

CCW is about personal protection, not crime reduction. However, as more people take responsibility for there own safety, life becomes less safe for predatory criminals. If this results in a reduction in crime, that is a bonus.

 

[Grassman]

If their lips are moving, I'd say they were lying.

 

[David E]

I read a different answer for the Green Party Candidate Mr. Rich Whitney. This was the quote I read:

Quote:
–– Rich Whitney: "If it truly and accurately defines assault weapons in a manner that does not impair the rights of lawful gun owners to possess firearms for defensive purposes, and respects the rights of legitimate gun collectors, then yes, I would sign it." - Rich Whitney Green Party Gubernatorial Candidate

So it looks like I maybe voting Green if this quote is correct and not the one in the first posting of this thread.

<sigh> OLDSKOOLFAN, how can you not see that banning so-called "assault weapons" IS, in and of itself, a VIOLATION of the Second Amendment and therefore would DISRESPECT the RIGHT of the people to own guns?

And you're on our side ???

 

[creepiE]

Thanks for the info.