Post a Comment On: Just Bob

ANSWER:  When Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez says it's not.

In October, 2009 the Illinois Supreme Court ruled on Illinois v Diggins where the court determined that the center console in a vehicle counts as a 'case' under Illinois law.  In response, Rep. Harry Osterman (D-14) filed HB5849 to change the law and nullify the court's decision. 

How they plan to do this is to add language specifying that the case your firearm is in needs to be specifically designed for the transportation or storage of firearms.  Doesn't sound like a problem, does it?  Why would a person oppose such a 'reasonable', 'common-sense' change? 

Why? Because, in the finest tradition of 'gun control' bills, this one includes subjective and loaded language designed to trip up firearm owners and put them at the mercy of prosecutors.  The full language of the change is a case 'designed for the SAFE transportation of firearms'. 

Safe?  What does that mean?  Is a zippered, nylon case from your local sporting goods store considered 'safe'?  Not if this bill passes!  Does it have to be a hard case? Plastic? Metal?  Does it require a lock?  Do you really want that decision to be in the hands of the office that supports the Chicago handgun ban? 

Please call your state representative this week starting Thursday morning and ask them to OPPOSE HB5849.

Remember to be polite, you will likely speak with the representative's secretary that may not share the same political views as those she works for.  Phone calls are more effective if made between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, increasing the chance your call will be answered in person.

You can find contact info for your representative right from the ISRA's legislative page.  If you're not sure who your representative is, please find out at the Illinois State Board of Elections.

You can find up-to-date information on  this bill as well as the ISRA's stance on other bills at the ISRA Legislation page.

The ISRA will continue to advocate for YOUR rights as firearm owners and citizens  but it does not have the support of taxpayer dollars or the Joyce Foundation like the anti-gun efforts have. If you are an ISRA member, we need your continued support. Please make a donation on-line here, or over the phone at 815-635-3198. If you would like to mail or fax a donation, we have a printable form here. Even better would be to sign up friends and/or family members with gift memberships.

If you're not an ISRA member, now is the time. You can join on-line, or over the phone at 815-635-3198. You can download a printable application form here.

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