May 30, 2006

ICHV Honors Ten Winners at Assembly for 11th Annual Essay, Poetry & Art Contest

One winner highlighted in Chicago Tribune column (link below); All winners receive new computers, bookstore gift certificates as prizes.

On Thursday, May 25th, the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence (ICHV) honored the ten winners of the 11th Annual ICHV Essay, Poetry & Art Contest for students in first through twelfth grades. An awards assembly was held at Lane Tech High School, which produced one winner for poetry in this year's contest.

Students read their winning essays and poems and displayed their winning artworks before an audience of family, friends and Lane Tech students. Winners were presented with a commemorative award certificate and a $25 bookstore gift certificate at the assembly, and they will all receive new computers as prizes at a later date. Teachers of the winning students also receive a $100 bookstore gift certificate.

Special guest speakers at the assembly included Ron Raglin, Special Assistant to Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan and State Senator John Cullerton (D-6th). Mr. Raglin commended the students for their inspiration and talent in creating their winning pieces, stating that "young people today should not have to worry about gun violence in their homes and communities, and these winners are raising their voices about the critical need for all of us to help stop gun violence."

Senator Cullerton made the connection between the theme of this year's contest-"How can I help educate people about gun violence"-and the work he does to educate other legislators at the Capitol when it comes to discussing gun violence issues. Cullerton even said that he would bring a copy of the winning entries down to Springfield to share it with other legislators.

As each of the ten winners was called up to the microphone, they read their essay and poems or discussed their artworks for the audience. Kenneth Alvarado, an 11th grader at Jones College Prep, read a heartfelt and insightful narrative for his winning poster, highlighting the purposeful use of specific art techniques in his piece and how each one represents a factor that contributes to or becomes a result of gun violence. Kareem Burson, a 4th grader at St. Angela, read his touching essay, stating that "bullets have no name…bullets are not prejudiced, they don't care who they hit, and they have no mind of their own." To end the assembly, Lane Tech 11th grader Anna Grzybowski stunned the audience with an amazing reading of her poem "How It All Began," closing to thunderous applause by her fellow students.

Ms. Grzybowski was the subject of a column by Chicago Tribune Columnists Dawn Turner Trice published on Memorial Day. The column can be found at the following URL (free registration to the Chicago Tribune website may be required to view):
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/arts/chi-0605290105may29,1,2527160.column

ICHV would like to congratulate all of the winners this year, and to thank all the contest participants, from students and teachers to the screening and Blue Ribbon judges, without whose help this contest would not happen. For more information about the Essay, Poetry & Art Contest or to obtain a packet for next year's contest, please contact the ICHV office at 312-341-0939.

Winners from the 11th Annual ICHV Essay, Poetry & Art Contest (in alphabetical order by last name):

Kenneth Alvarado, Jones College Prep, 11th grade, art winner
Kareem Burson, St. Angela School, 4th grade, essay winner
Ranece Carter, St. Angela School, 7th grade, essay winner
Anthony Cazares, St Nicholas of Tolentine, 8th grade, poetry winner
Caitlin Daza, St. Vincent Ferrer School, 1st grade, art winner
Anna Grzybowski, Lane Tech High School, 11th grade, poetry winner
Gustavo Guzman, Enrico Tonti School, 7th grade, art winner
Juan Thomas Kimble, Jones College Prep, 10th grade, essay winner
Minda Rebholz, Beaubien Elementary, 8th grade, art winner
Jared Stokes, St. Angela School, 1st grade, essay winner

There is still time to contact your state legislators and urge them to support a strong, comprehensive ban on assault weapons.

Legislators are still in Springfield dealing with budget issues, so there is still time to call them and urge them to take action on the proposed statewide ban on assault weapons before they adjourn for the summer break.

It has been nearly two months since the tragic shootings of 2 young girls with assault weapons, yet our lawmakers have not dealt voted on the proposed legislation to ban assault weapons. But IT'S NOT TOO LATE! Your Illinois General Assembly members need to hear from YOU. Please take a minute to call your legislator's district and Springfield offices and ask them to stop stalling and vote in favor of a strong, comprehensive ban on these deadly weapons.

Click here to look up your legislators' district contact info on the Illinois General Assembly website.

We all remember hearing the devastating stories of how, in the space of just 10 days, two young girls in the same neighborhood were murdered in their homes by thugs using high-powered weapons to blanket the streets with bullets. Assault weapons pose a serious threat to our communities, a threat that we cannot afford to ignore at the expense of innocent lives. Such high-powered, large-capacity military-style weapons can fire dozens of bullets in a matter of seconds, and are weapons of choice for criminals and terrorists. These weapons also pose a significant threat to the safety and security of our nation's law enforcement officers, who face these weapons in the hands of gang members, terrorists and other criminals on a daily basis.

Most Illinois voters don’t want to worry about the threat of assault weapons in their communities. A statewide poll of Illinois voters conducted in January 2004 by Overbrook Research of Loda, Illinois found that 75% of respondents support a strong, comprehensive assault weapons ban, and 20% of those polled were gun owners.

There's no need for assault weapons in our communities, and it’s time for Illinois lawmakers to stop cowering to a small group of gun owners and to start listening to the majority of Illinois citizens by supporting a ban on these deadly products. The people of Illinois deserve safe communities free from such weapons of mass destruction.

Please contact your state legislators today and urge them to support a strong, comprehensive ban on assault weapons in Illinois. Use this link to look up your legislators' district contact info on the Illinois General Assembly website.

November 11, 2005

Gun Violence Prevention Advocates Successful in Upholding Governor's Vetoes

Legislators Stand Up to Gun Lobby by Supporting Governor's Vetoes

During the end of veto session last week, the gun lobby continued to push for override votes on several of their key bills that were vetoed by the Governor over the summer. Thanks to your help, ICHV and our partner organizations were successful at stopping the gun lobby and sustaining the Governor's vetoes.

The Illinois Senate took action on SB 2104, which would supersede any local ordinance that regulates the transportation of firearms, ammunition and accessories within that municipality. This bill received enough votes in the Senate to move out. However, the veto override motion failed to get enough votes in the House and the Governor's veto was sustained. In fact, we were able to get 12 House members to switch their votes from the spring session so that the override would fail and the Governor's veto would stand. This is a major victory!

The two other bills we were watching were SB 57 and HB 340. These two bills were not brought up for votes at all during veto session because the gun lobby knew they could not muster enough votes to win the override motion.

A sincere "Thank You" goes out to everyone who contacted their legislators by making phone calls, sending letters or emails, or even visiting their legislators offices! You raised your voices, and the General Assembly listened. This significant victory would not have been possible without your help and the help of our OnTarget Coalition members. ICHV would also like to thank the Attorney General, the Governor's office, House Speaker Madigan, the City of Chicago, the Cook County State's Attorney, and all of Illinois' law enforcement officers for their efforts to uphold the Governor's veto on these bills.

Thank you again for your support of ICHV's effort.

October 20, 2005

Illinois Newspapers Shun Gun Ads as Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole Gains Momentum

At least 42 newspapers across the country, including eleven newspapers in Illinois, have recently adopted policies to restrict firearms advertisements to licensed firearms dealers

Chicago, IL - The Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence (ICHV) and the Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole announced today that at least eleven Illinois newspapers have recently implemented policies to restrict firearms advertisements to licensed firearms dealers only.

The Illinois newspapers that have adopted new policies include The Register Mail (Galesburg), The Dispatch (Moline), Mount Carmel Republican-Register, Pekin Daily Times, Journal Star (Peoria), The Rock Island Argus, and five daily newspapers that make up Suburban Chicago Newspapers: The Beacon News (Aurora), The Courier News (Elgin), The Herald News (Joliet), Naperville Sun, and The News Sun (Waukegan).

A classified ad in the Journal Star was the source for two handguns purchased by Benjamin Smith from an unlicensed seller in June 1999. Over the following July 4th weekend, Smith went on a shooting spree in Illinois and Indiana that killed two and wounded nine. In a letter to ICHV dated Oct. 4, 2005, the Journal Star said that the newspaper has decided to adopt a policy of "restricting firearms advertisements to licensed firearms dealers only." The new policy will go into effect Nov. 1, 2005.

Last July, ICHV mailed a letter to the publisher of all daily newspapers in the state asking the newspaper to restrict firearms advertisements to licensed firearms dealers only and to not take classified ads for guns from unlicensed sellers. The above newspapers changed their firearms advertising policies in response to ICHV's letter.

The Illinois newspaper campaign was part of the national Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole. Since the campaign was launched, at least 58 newspapers across the country with a combined circulation of 7.7 million have changed their firearms advertising policies. At least 42 newspapers have changed their policy in 2005 as a result of state campaigns in Ohio, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Texas, and Illinois. The campaign's goal is to conduct state campaigns in all 50 states (reaching approximately 1,500 daily newspapers).

Said John Johnson, coordinator for the Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole, "There is a demand for guns by people who can't buy them from licensed firearms dealers because they are either too young or have a criminal record and can't pass the mandatory criminal background check required on all dealer sales. We are pleased that the publishers of these newspapers recognize that the classifieds provide opportunities for prohibited purchasers to buy guns without a background check and have taken steps to prevent their newspaper from being used as a marketplace for illegal gun purchases."

Thom Mannard, ICHV's executive director added, "It is difficult to defend a newspaper's role in the private sale of firearms without a criminal background check. We commend these newspapers for their leadership and encourage other newspapers in Illinois to join the growing number of newspapers in Illinois and across the country that have closed the newspaper loophole. We consider that this makes good policy not only for the general public, but also for the newspaper."

Under federal law (the Brady Law), federally licensed firearms dealers are required to conduct criminal background checks on all buyers. However, unlicensed sellers who sell firearms from a "personal collection" are not required to conduct background checks. Sources of non-dealer sales include gun shows, flea markets, estate sales and garage sales, firearms sales over the Internet, and firearms sales through classified ads in newspapers.

Researchers estimate that about 40 percent of all firearms transfers (approximately 5.5 million transactions a year) occur on secondary markets not subject to Brady background checks. A 2000 government study found that about 90 percent of guns used in crimes changed hands at least once on the secondary market before being used in a crime.

Said Mannard, "We recognize that the classifieds represent only one part of the unregulated secondary gun market. But by changing its policy, a newspaper becomes part of the solution rather than part of the problem."

According to a June 2005 telephone survey of Illinois newspapers conducted by the Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole, the following Illinois newspapers, in addition to the eleven newspapers identified above, do not take firearms advertisements from unlicensed sellers: Daily Herald newspapers (Paddock Publications, Arlington Heights), Benton Evening News, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Hoy Chicago, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake), Star Courier (Kewanee), The Courier (Lincoln), Litchfield News-Herald, Morris Daily Herald, The Daily Leader (Pontiac), The Daily Southtown (Tinley Park), and The State Journal Register (Springfield).

Regarding the campaign's recent successes, Johnson noted, "Closing the newspaper loophole is easy because it doesn't take an Act of Congress. All it takes is a management decision. We expect more newspapers to change their policy as the campaign reaches all 50 states."

Additional information on the Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole is provided at www.gunloophole.com.

June 7, 2005

LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENDS WITH VICTORY! GUN SHOW LOOPHOLE, OTHER MEASURES PASS IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

When the Illinois legislature adjourned last week, it was with a resounding victory for gun violence prevention advocates with the passage of a strong bill to close the gun show loophole. Last Monday (5/31/05), the Illinois House of Representatives passed SB 1333 to close the gun show loophole by a vote of 89 to 28, and Governor Blagojevich vowed to sign the bill into law. As soon as the Governor signs it, a background check will be mandatory for all gun purchases at Illinois gun shows.

"We have been working to close the gun show loophole in Illinois for the past four years, and our members and supporters are celebrating now that we got it done," said Thom Mannard, ICHV Executive Director. "This is a major victory for us, and it shows that common sense and public safety can prevail, even in such a politicized environment as the Illinois legislature."

Passage of this measure came at the end of a legislative session in which other significant accomplishments were made. ICHV helped pass a bill that would require trigger locks to be offered with all handguns sold by firearms dealers in Illinois, and beat back the gun lobby's efforts to allow the carrying of loaded, concealed handguns in public and to prohibit local communities from regulating firearms and ammunition. This is by far the most successful legislative session for gun violence prevention in recent years.

"Our members and supporters were crucial to making this happen, and we are very grateful for their action and participation in helping achieve these gains," Mannard stated.

This long-awaited victory also provides inspiration for ICHV's work on other issues, such as a statewide assault weapons ban. An amendment to prohibit the future sale and manufacture of assault weapons and .50 caliber sniper rifles in Illinois came within one vote of passing in the Illinois House. This vote shows that there is significant support for the measure already. However, just like the gun show loophole, there will be much hard work ahead to secure the necessary support to get this bill to the Governor.

"The gun lobby has been trying to stifle our efforts at every possible opportunity, but we beat them back this session, and we're looking forward to working with our supporters over the next several months on future efforts," said Mannard.

Below are links to the roll call votes on the gun show loophole (SB 1333) and on trigger locks (SB 1832). Please take a moment to see how your legislators voted and call them to let them know you're paying attention.

Senate Roll Call Gun Show Loophole
House Roll Call Gun Show Loophole

Senate Roll Call Trigger Locks
House Roll Call Trigger Locks

• If your legislator(s) voted "Yea" to pass SB 1333 and SB 1832, please take a moment to call them and thank them for supporting such a crucial public safety issue.
• If your legislator(s) voted "Nay" to oppose SB 1333 and SB 1832, please take a moment to call them to express your disappointment in their position and to let them know this issue is important to you and you will be watching to see how they vote on such issues in the future.

Legislators are now back in their districts for the summer recess, so you can use this link to the Illinois General Assembly website (http://www.ilga.gov/) to find their district contact information. Click on "Members" under the Senate and House lists to find your legislator's district office phone number. They need to hear from you in the wake of these important votes.

Again, we at ICHV extend a sincere THANK YOU for all of your work and support during the 4 years we've been fighting to close the gun show loophole in Illinois. Your support is crucial to our efforts.

Thursday, 7 April 7, 2005

Sniper Rifle Manufacturer Boasts That 50 Caliber Sniper Rifles Are Capable of 'Destroying Multi-Million Dollar Aircraft With a Single Hit'

ICHV Releases Marketing Brochure from Barrett Firearms Highlighting the Terrorist Threat of 50 Caliber Sniper Rifles

A marketing brochure from Barrett Firearms boasts that its 50 caliber sniper rifles are capable of destroying aircraft with a single shot. The company brochure released today by the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence states that jet engines and helicopters "are likely targets for the weapon [50 caliber sniper rifle], making it capable of destroying multi-million dollar aircraft with a single hit delivered to a vital area."

The marketing brochure from the late 80's has now become a damning and embarrassing admission by the gun lobby and 50 caliber manufacturers who are now attempting to deny and obfuscate the terrorist threat posed by these lethal weapons. Although Barrett Firearms still markets and sells the model 82-A1 50 caliber sniper rifle -- the model highlighted in the company's brochure -- Barrett Firearms has tried to mislead the media by stating that the brochure referred to rifles only available to the military, an assertion that is simply not true.

Perhaps the starkest wake-up call to anti-terrorism officials is the admission from Barrett Firearms that the "Cost-effectiveness of the Model 82A1 [.50 caliber sniper rifle] cannot be overemphasized when a round of ammunition purchased for less than $10 can be used to destroy or disable a modern jet aircraft." Fifty caliber sniper rifles are easier to obtain than a handgun in Illinois, and can fire highly lethal armor piercing and incendiary ammunition, which are currently legal and easily obtained.

"The gun lobby has been trying frantically to convince lawmakers that this deadly weapon that can destroy civilian airplanes is not a terrorist threat and is a standard hunting weapon," said Thom Mannard, Executive Director of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence. "But this brochure from the leading manufacturer of 50 caliber sniper rifles demonstrates the clear and present danger to our national security and civil aviation if these weapons of war are used in a horrific attack."

Al-Qaeda purchased Barrett 50 caliber sniper rifles in the United States in the late 1980's, and other extremist groups such as the Irish Republican Army and anti-government militias have obtained the anti-armor sniper rifle as well. Most recently, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report stated that 47 suspects on a terror watch list were able to purchase firearms, although it is not known what types of firearms were obtained. And a recent study by the Rand Corporation as reported by CBS News 60 Minutes found that there were no adequate defenses to prevent a terrorist from using a 50 caliber sniper rifle to attack civilian airplanes at long range while taxiing on the runway or during takeoff or landing. Advocates say these facts should be a wake-up call for lawmakers to take swift action to restrict 50 caliber sniper rifles for use only by the military or law enforcement officials.

The Illinois State House of Representatives is expected to vote on the "Anti-Terrorism and Aviation Protection Act," (H.B. 1098) in a matter of days. The homeland security measure is part of a bi-partisan legislative effort to keep the most deadly and powerful sniper rifles on the market out of the hands of terrorists to prevent a deadly attack on Illinois aviation or vulnerable chemical or industrial targets.

Fifty caliber sniper rifles were designed as battlefield rifles to puncture armor, attack personnel carriers and fuel tanks, and to be used for assassination due to the rifle's astonishing range and firepower, which the Barrett brochure also boasts of. Barrett stated in the brochure that .50 caliber sniper rifles have "the ability to engage the enemy at ranges far beyond those at which small arms can return fire."

For More Information on the .50 caliber sniper rifle, visit http://www.50caliberterror.com/.

December 18, 2004

ICHV Honors Student Winners of 9th Annual Essay, Poetry & Art Contest

Winning Students Read Their Entries at Jones High School

"Bang! Bang! Bang! I start to run. I could see the gunshots going through my window. No more looking at the sun."

So said a 3rd grade student honored Thursday an at awards assembly for the 9th Annual ICHV Essay, Poetry & Art Contest. Six of the ten winners were present at Jones College Prep High School in Chicago to receive their awards, which include a $100 gift certificate to a local bookstore for themselves, and a brand new computer for their schools. The students also had an opportunity to read their winning essays and poems, and to talk about the winning works of art.

Miss Illinois, Michelle LaGroue, served as the event's emcee, and spoke about the Miss Illinois Pageant's focus on youth violence over the past several years.

"Today we're here to celebrate the young people who have put their thoughts and feelings about gun violence on paper," stated LaGroue. "The Miss Illinois Pageant recognizes that youth violence is a very serious issue, and we're glad to work directly with young people to come up with ideas and strategies to help reduce youth violence in all its forms."

Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan also spoke at the assembly and commended the winners for their hard work.

"Young people should not be worrying about getting shot and killed on their way to school or in their neighborhoods. They should be thinking about where they're going to go to college, about how they're going to build a future and then come back to help their communities," said Duncan. "I'm very proud to be here today to recognize these students, and I hope we will all make a commitment to stop gun violence and make our schools and communities safer places for our young people to grow up and to realize their dreams."

For the past nine years, ICHV has held the Essay, Poetry & Art Contest at hundreds of schools in an effort reach out to students at all grade levels and encourage them to raise their voices about an issue that directly affects them. The goal of the Contest is to give young people a voice in the debate while exercising their creative writing and artistic talents.

"The words and images of these remarkable students should serve as an inspiration to all of us, and should keep us motivated to continue our work to stop gun violence in our communities," said Thom Mannard, ICHV Executive Director. "We're glad that we can honor these student winners, and that our Essay, Poetry & Art Contest encourages all participants to use their gifts, and not guns, to make better futures for themselves."

November 18, 2004

Students Rally Against Gun Violence in Chicago

Commemorate National Day of Concern About Young People and Gun Violence

On Wednesday, October 20th, ICHV held its 20th Rally Against Gun Violence, in conjunction with the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence, a nationwide campaign to engage young people in making a personal commitment to keep themselves and their friends and families free from gun violence. The Rally took place in Chicago at the Kluczynski Federal Plaza and featured speakers including Miss Illinois Michelle LaGroue, Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan, and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

"It's so important for all of us to make a commitment to reduce gun violence, and for our young people to be leaders," said Attorney General Madigan. "Adults have to do our part as well, by listening to the younger generations and helping address their concerns."

ICHV's Rally was one of the many events on October 20th that challenged young people and adults to make a commitment to reduce gun violence. At a variety of school-based and public events across Chicagoland and around the country, thousands of schools commemorated the National Day of Concern About Young People and Gun Violence by participating in Student Pledge activities. High schools in Chicago invited middle and elementary schools to join them in holding assemblies, marches, and rallies at their locations to help encourage students to participate in the Student Pledge.

"We're glad to participate in this event at schools around the city," said Arne Duncan. "The Student Pledge is a great way to enhance the focus on changing behaviors and setting good examples for others."

The Rally kicked off with music from Uhlich Voices, a rap group started by youth leaders from the Uhlich Children's Advantage Network. Youth leaders from Hands Without Guns Chicago also spoke at the event. In addition, Ms. Annette Freeman shared her heartbreaking story about losing her 7-year-old son to a drive-by shooting several years ago, gun violence survivor Joel Irizarry, a member of the In My Shoes program at Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital, shared what his life has been like since he was shot and ended up in a wheelchair.

Several Chicago-area schools attended the ICHV Rally, including many schools who produced winners in our 9th Annual Essay, Poetry & Art Contest. Students signed onto a Student Pledge banner at the event, and followed Miss Illinois in reciting the Pledge. They also participated in a special Rally poster contest, entering more than 200 posters.

October 15, 2004

ICHV Partners with Student Pledge Against Gun Violence for Day of Concern

Students from Many Schools Participate in Variety of Events on October 20th

On Wednesday, October 20th, ICHV is partnering with schools around Chicagoland to participate in a variety of activities to commemorate the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence, a nationwide campaign to engage young people in making a personal commitment to keep themselves, and their friends and families, safe from guns and gun violence.

This official National Day of Concern gives students across the country the chance to make and sign a voluntary promise that they will never carry a gun to school or resolve a problem or dispute with a gun, and that they will use their influence with their friends to help them do the same.

Events in the Chicago area kick off with a live one-hour call-in discussion about gun violence on B96 Radio with DJs Eddie and Jobo, where special studio guests will include students from the Mark Sheridan Math & Science Academy who starred in a public service announcement about the Pledge. Various schools across the area will tune into this broadcast and will call in to share their views about gun violence in their communities.

"We're very excited to partner with the Student Pledge again this year, and to commend our young people for their commitment to reduce gun violence," said Thom Mannard, ICHV Executive Director. "The Day of National Concern is a great opportunity to encourage young people to take a proactive stance in reducing gun violence."

Several other events are also happening at other locations. Some schools are holding all-school assemblies where they will bring in speakers and tally the pledges that they have collected at their schools to put toward the national tally. One high school has invited 20 surrounding schools to send students for a huge rally where they will celebrate their commitment to avoid gun violence and sign their pledges.

Other events will include opportunities for students to talk with their local aldermen and county board members, and to discuss the critical issue of gun violence in their neighborhoods. One location will also have a large banner that students will be invited to sign to solidify their pledge to avoid gun violence and to keep their friends and family members from engaging in gun violence.

"This event, while geared toward young people, should encourage all of us to reaffirm our own pledge to reducing gun violence," Mannard stated. "Our young people certainly can't do it alone."

September 13, 2004

Arrogant and Gutless Congressional Leaders Refuse Vote on Assault Weapons

Congressional Leaders Continue to Lie to Americans about AWB Vote

Senator Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tennessee) and House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois) continued to lie to the American people about the reasons that they will not be calling a vote on the federal assault weapons ban. Their lies and distortions only emphasize their complete lack of concern for the safety of our nation's law enforcement officers and for the American public.

Senator Frist was quoted in the September 9th issue of the Chicago Tribune saying that "the will of the American people is consistent with letting [the ban] expire, so it will expire." Perhaps Mr. Frist has missed the many polls over the last year that have shown more than 70% of Americans support renewing the ban, and more than 60% of gun owners also support it. Apparently, the opinion of one individual from Tennessee outweighs the more than the 200 million Americans who want the ban renewed and strengthened. As a physician, Mr. Frist should support the ban on assault weapons from a purely public health perspective, not to mention the grave risk these weapons pose to our law enforcement officers.

Speaker Hastert has also continued to lie about reasons for not bringing this issue up for a vote. In an August radio interview, Mr. Hastert said that the Senate had already voted against the ban, so there was no point in bringing it up in the House. That is a complete distortion for the facts. In March, the Senate passed an amendment to the gun industry immunity bill that would renew the assault weapons ban. This amendment was passed by a vote of 52-47. However, after this and several other common sense gun amendments were attached to the immunity bill, the bill's chief sponsor, Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), the gun lobby, and the White House all pulled their support for the bill, securing its defeat.

Hastert clearly knows this, yet he continues to make misleading statements and to proliferate lies about the assault weapons issue. The same article in the September 9th issue of the Chicago Tribune reports Hastert claiming that "he would consider allowing the House to vote on legislation only if the Senate acted first."

"The Senate already acted in March by voting 52-47 in favor of renewing the assault weapons ban for another 10 years, so perhaps the speaker is suffering from short-term amnesia" said Thom Mannard, ICHV Executive Director. "It seems like Speaker Hastert is simply pointing the finger at someone else so he can slither his way out of his own dereliction of duty on this critical public safety issue."

The real reason our Congressional leaders have refused to call a vote on assault weapons is because they are concerned about how such a vote would affect the results of the upcoming elections. If the Republican leadership forces their members to put their vote on record for or against assault weapons coming back on the streets, then their constituents will use that information to make their decisions on November 2nd. Cynically, they have chosen to risk the safety of the American public and our police officers in order to keep themselves safe from any political repercussions of dealing with this critical issue.

Indeed, our Congressional leaders seem to be beholden to the gun lobby and have their collective lips on Wayne LaPierre's backside. Their lack of moral substance is clear when it is more important to them to keep the gun lobby happy than to protect our communities and our law enforcement officers from these deadly weapons. Hopefully the American people will see through these lies and distortions, and push even harder for a new ban after our spineless Congressional leaders let the bill expire.

July 22, 2004

Police Chiefs Across Illinois Call on Speaker Hastert & President Bush Take Immediate Action on Assault Weapons Ban

As September 13th Sunset Approaches, Illinois Police Chiefs Call for Renewed & Strengthened Assault Weapons Law, But House Republican Leaders Refuse to Call Bill

On Monday, July 19th, the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence held a press conference with U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, and police chiefs Russell Laine from Algonquin and Robert Jones from Gurnee, to call on U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert to hold a debate and vote on legislation that would strengthen and renew the federal assault weapons ban before it sunsets on September 13th. As evidence of the wide support from law enforcement officials, ICHV released a list of 111 Illinois police chiefs and sheriffs, including chiefs in Speaker Hastert's own district, who want Congress to strengthen and renew the ban. (To view the press release, click here).

This press conference was part of a coordinated nationwide campaign with law enforcement officials to call on Congress to deal with the assault weapons ban. Several press conferences were held around the country last week to highlight law enforcement's support of a stronger and permanent ban on these military-style weapons.

This issue has been raging for some time, but Congressional leaders and President Bush have been dodging it during a close election year. The Speaker has said he would move on the legislation to ban assault weapons if President Bush calls on him to do so. The President, on the other hand, has stated that he supports the assault weapons ban and would sign the legislation if Congress put it on his desk, but he hasn't lobbied Congress or used his bully pulpit to push for the ban.

"President Bush and the Republican leadership in Congress are trying to have it both ways on the assault weapons ban, saying they support the ban but refusing to take any action. It is an outrage that we are nearing the sunset of the assault weapons ban without so much as a vote, a hearing, or debate in the House to renew and strengthen this important legislation," said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District) at last week's press conference.

"The President and the Speaker have been playing election year politics with the safety of the public and our law enforcement officers by passing the buck back and forth on this issue," said ICHV Executive Director Thom Mannard. "It's time for them to stop jockeying around and to take a stand one way or the other."

In response to the numerous calls for action on assault weapons last week, Republican leaders in Congress have reiterated their defiance to even holding a vote on this issue. Republican Senator Peter Santorum of Pennsylvania said that he does not think the Senate should waste their time considering a renewal of the ban. And, when Republican House Majority Leader Tom Delay was reminded that President Bush supported the ban, he stated that the President "doesn't always get what he wants."

"Clearly, the amount of publicity we have raised through our coordinated efforts with law enforcement officers has had the desired effect of forcing Congress to respond," said Thom Mannard, Executive Director of ICHV.

In response to Delay's comments, Mannard stated, "Frankly, I'm happy to see that Tom Delay and the Republican leadership finally took their collective lips off of Wayne LaPierre's backside long enough to even make a statement on the issue."

"It's time that members of Congress stand up and show the country and our police officers where they stand on the assault weapons ban, instead of making excuses about why there has been no vote," said Mannard.

June 4, 2004

100 Days Until Federal Assault Weapons Ban Expires

Congress Continues Avoiding the Issue, Despite Widespread Public Support

Saturday, June 5th, represents the 100-day mark before the federal assault weapons ban expires on September 13th. Yet the U.S. Congress has avoided the assault weapons issue to the point of refusing to even give a hearing to the bills that have been sitting in both chambers.

More than 70% of Americans, including a majority of gun owners, and the nation's major law enforcement organizations support keeping and improving the current ban on assault weapons. Yet, our members of Congress, including House Speaker Dennis Hastert, are waiting idly by, hoping to quietly avoid a vote on this "controversial" measure. Speaker Hastert has the power to call this issue up for a debate vote in Congress, but he has so far refused to do so.

"That Congress is avoiding dealing with this issue is irresponsible, and it's an affront to the American people, especially our law enforcement officers who face these weapons on a daily basis," said Thom Mannard, ICHV Executive Director. "Speaker Hastert and all members of Congress have a responsibility to their constituents, and to our nation's law enforcement officers, to have a public debate on assault weapons."

That Congress would allow the ban to expire seems to contradict common sense and to jeopardize national security. Other countries where people carry around assault weapons are not any more secure because of it. In fact, those are the places from which we most often hear about widespread violence and bloody firefights in the streets. Avoiding the assault weapons issue only proves that the leaders in Congress are pandering to the National Rifle Association (NRA), which has been openly calling on the Republican leadership to let the ban expire without a vote.

"Now is the time for the great majority of Americans who support the ban to contact their members of Congress, and especially Speaker Hastert, and urge them stop caving in to the NRA and to bring this issue up for a vote," said Mannard. "The safety of our law enforcement officers and the general public is at stake, and the next 100 days will determine if Congress truly represents the American people or the NRA."

TAKE ACTION:
Allowing the assault weapons ban to expire is a recipe for disaster. Please take a moment to contact Speaker Dennis Hastert's office in Batavia, Illinois, and urge him, as Speaker of the House, to call the assault weapons ban for a vote. Then contact your own member of Congress and ask them to call on Hastert to do the same.

District office of Speaker Hastert: 630-406-1114

U.S. Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121
(dial this number and ask to be connected to your Congressional member's office)

May 31, 2004

ICHV Hosts 2004 Abraham Lincoln Awards on June 22nd

Illinois Attorney General, Lawmakers, and Advocate to be honored at this event

On Tuesday, June 22nd, ICHV will hold its Abraham Lincoln Awards Luncheon to honor those who have gone the extra mile to support gun violence prevention initiatives. The Lincoln Award has been given each year since 1982 to community leaders and elected officials who embrace the work of ICHV.

"The Lincoln event is a chance for us to bring together our supporters and celebrate our victories while we recognize those who have been leaders on gun violence issues in Illinois," said Thom Mannard, Executive Director of ICHV. "Honorees are commended for their political and personal courage in the fight to reduce gun violence, and that's the reason we recognize them at this special event.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is this year's recipient of the prestigious Lincoln Award, and three Illinois state legislators, Senator Terry Link, and State Representatives Karen Yarbrough and Sandra Pihos, will receive Legislative Advocacy Awards. We will also present a special Citizen Advocacy Award to Mrs. Sherialyn Byrdsong, wife of the late Ricky Byrdsong, for her work on gun violence issues.

For more information about the Lincoln Awards or to purchase tickets, please contact the ICHV office at 312-341-0939 or email info@ichv.org.

May 14, 2004

Gun Show Loophole Will Likely Get Vote

Illinois Senate May Vote on SB 947 Before Summer Break

The Illinois General Assembly will break for the summer recess in a few weeks. But it's likely that, before they go back to their districts, a vote will take place in the Illinois Senate on SB 947 to close the gun show loophole. We urge all of you to contact your state Senators now and urge them to support this measure.

There are more than one hundred gun shows in Illinois each year. These flea markets feature federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs) and collectors and hobbyists who are not licensed dealers. Under federal law, only the FFLs are required to perform criminal background checks for gun purchases, while collectors and hobbyists are not. Criminals target guns shows as a source for weapons because they know that, in addition to the large numbers of second-hand firearms and surplus military weapons and accessories, they can buy these guns without a criminal background check. For the same reasons, terrorists also target gun shows, using them to stockpile their arsenals and smuggle weapons overseas. These people know that at gun shows they will be able to skirt the background check process through unlicensed collectors and hobbyists.

A recent editorial in the Chicago Tribune makes the case for why we need a measure such as SB 947 to pass in Illinois ("A three-minute inconvenience," published May 7, 2004). It states that "gun purchasers already have to wait from 24 to 72 hours from the time of sale to actually receive their guns," and asks what another three minutes is "if it means lives saved."

As the session winds down in the next few weeks, now is the time to contact your state senators and urge them to pass SB 947 before they recess for the summer. If you need contact information for your state senator, please contact our office at 312-341-0939. We will be monitoring closely the activity on SB 947 and other gun-related issues, and we will keep you posted on any votes that occur.

Remember, your voice has a big impact on your elected officials, and it's worth taking the time to take action.

April 26, 2004

ICHV and Other Groups Urge Elected Officials to Keep Children Safe from Guns

New survey finds Illinois voters support a wide range of safety features

A new statewide survey conducted for Voices for Illinois Children shows strong voter support for a range of initiatives related to keeping children safe from guns. The results were released at a press conference on April 19th at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, where ICHV and other advocates, health professionals, and state lawmakers joined Voices in urging policymakers to adopt common-sense measures to help keep children from being harmed by guns.

Conducted in January 2004 by the Loda, Illinois-based Overbrook Research firm, the survey of 501 Illinois voters found strong support for requiring handguns to meet health and safety standards designed to protect consumers. In fact, the poll found that Illinois voters support a variety handgun safety features, including: product testing to ensure handguns don't fire accidentally if they are dropped (85% support); increased trigger resistance so an average 4-year-old can't pull the trigger (80% support); built-in locking devices to prevent unauthorized access (76% support); and load indicators to show when weapons are loaded, the same way cameras indicate the number of photos left (74% support). It should be noted that 25% of respondents in this poll were gun owners.

"These are sensible, low-cost, technologically feasible ways to protect our children," said Jerry Stermer, Executive Director of Voices for Illinois Children. "Just like car seats, bike helmets and childproof caps on medications protect our children, handguns should be treated like other consumer products and should be required to meet health and safety standards."

Advocates called on Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to use her authority under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to create health and safety standards for handguns. They also called on state legislators to approve House Bill 4087, which would require new handguns to have trigger locks.

"Every year, we lose too many children to gun-related suicides, homicides and unintentional shootings," said Dr. Katherine Kaufer Christoffel of Children's Memorial Hospital. "These deaths are preventable, but only if we provide systemic solutions."

The poll also found support for a range of statewide policies, including mandatory criminal background checks for all gun purchasers at gun shows (94% support), and prohibiting people from carrying concealed weapons in public (68%).

"Illinois voters clearly support efforts to keep children safe from guns, and our lawmakers need to listen to the voters and approve sensible regulations for handguns," said Thom Mannard, Executive Director of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence. "In fact, our legislators have many opportunities to address these issues in Springfield this session, including Senate Bill 947, which requires criminal background checks at gun shows."

In addition, 72% of Illinois voters support renewing the federal assault weapons ban which will expire on September 13, 2004, and 75% favor strengthening the ban so manufacturers can no longer produce guns that are functionally identical to the banned weapons but have some minor cosmetic changes. If the federal assault weapons ban expires, these weapons will once again be widely available to American consumers.

"Time after time, polls show overwhelming support across the state for sensible measures to reduce gun injury and death," state Mannard. "It's time for our legislators to stop dodging the issues and start responding to the voters."

April 19, 2004

State Legislators Have Load of Gun-Related Bills to Consider

Prospect of Votes This Session Means Constituents Need to Voice Their Opinions

As state legislators head back to Springfield this week, they have the opportunity to deal with several gun-related bills that have been introduced this session. With these bills facing consideration and possible votes, now is the perfect time for Illinois residents to raise their voices about these critical issues. ICHV will do our best to keep you posted and to send out action alerts when legislators need to hear from you on crucial issues.

Here is a short list and summary of some of the bills that we may be asking you to take action on during the remainder of this legislative session:

• SB 947--Introduced by Rep. Harry Osterman, this bill aims to close the "gun show loophole" by requiring criminal background checks on all gun sales at Illinois gun shows. This bill is on concurrence in the Illinois Senate.
• SB 2165-Introduced by Senator Ed Petka, this bill provides an "affirmative defense" to a violation of a municipal ordinance that prohibits, regulates, or restricts the private ownership of firearms if the individual who is charged with the violation used the firearm in an act of self-defense or defense of another. This bill is currently in the Illinois House.
• SB 2163-Introduced by Rep. Gary Forby, this bill amends the Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) Card Act by lowering from 21 to 18 the age at which a person may apply for and be issued a FOID Card without the consent of a parent or legal guardian. This bill is currently in the Illinois House.
• SB 2188-Introduced by Senator Ed Petka, this bill would allow retired law enforcement officers and military police to carry loaded, conceal handguns anywhere in the state. This bill is currently in the Illinois House.

There are many other gun-related bills alive in the Illinois General Assembly, and we will keep you posted as action occurs in Springfield on these issues. We ask you to be prepared to make a phone call, write a letter, or send an email to your state legislators about these issues when action is needed. Contact from constituents and voters are the most effective way to get our message across to legislators. Their job is to represent you, but they can only do that accurately if they hear from you.

Our legislators rely on contacts from their constituents, whether it's a phone call, a letter, or a face-to-face meeting, to gauge how they should vote on a particular issue.
That's why it's so important for advocates of common sense gun laws to continue communicating with our elected officials, even if they have a good position and voting record on the issue. Sometimes, even the legislators who are on our side need reassurance from their constituents that they are doing the right thing. As you can imagine, the gun lobby is constantly barking at them year-round, and it never hurts to encourage them to stay strong on gun safety issues during the legislative session.

As action resumes in the state capitol this week, we'll be watching closely to monitor activity on gun-related issues, and we'll be contacting you to let you know when to take action. Remember that your voice has a big impact on your representatives, and it's worth taking the time to take action.

April 12, 2004

Gun Injury Prevention is Focus of HELP Network Conference, April 16-18 in Chicago

Conference Will Cover Medical Standards for Gun Injury Prevention

There's still time to register for the 8th HELP Network conference, Defining a Medical Standard of Care for Gun Injury Prevention, to be held April 16-18, 2004, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

The HELP Network conference will focus on prevention, encouraging doctors and other medical professionals to think critically about how to develop standards for medical professionals to prevent gun injuries. The HELP conference provides a unique educational opportunity for physicians and other health professionals to focus on an important public health issue. And while this educational event is designed especially for physicians, other interested health care professionals and gun violence prevention advocates are encouraged to attend to obtain current information on the public health effects of gun violence and on emerging strategies to prevent gun injury.

When thinking about gun injury and death in America, people often ask why medical societies and other health professionals view it as a public health issue. Perhaps it's because guns are the second leading cause of injury-related death in the United States. Data gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more than 28,000 Americans die each year from gun injuries (approximately 16,000 suicides and 11,000 homicides). While those numbers are down by nearly 10,000 from the mid 1990's, the U.S. still has a gun death rate 8 times higher than rates in other industrialized countries.

In addition to those killed by guns, more than 55,000 Americans suffer nonfatal gun injuries every year, often leaving them with life-altering debilities requiring lifelong medical care. Increasingly, the medical professionals who treat these injuries are shifting their focus from treatment to prevention. Indeed, there has been considerable consensus by the major medical societies on specific approaches to gun injury prevention.

The HELP Network's mission is to reduce gun death and injury by promoting established public health approaches and by serving as a catalyst for a growing network of regional, national and international professional organizations. HELP provides information regarding the health effects of firearms, and promotes policies that will enhance public health efforts to prevent firearm injury and death.

For more information about the 8th HELP Network conference, Defining a Medical Standard of Care for Gun Injury Prevention, April 16-18, 2004, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, visit the HELP Network website at www.helpnetwork.org.

April 5, 2004

ICHV Encouraged By Governor Pressing for State Assault Weapons Ban

Governor Says Assault Weapon Ban Required Before He'll Sign FOID Card Bill

ICHV applauds Governor Rod Blagojevich's recent decision to push for a statewide ban on semi-automatic assault weapons. In a press conference last week, the Governor stated that he would support a state ban on such weapons as part of a comprehensive package of gun violence prevention measures.

It has been well publicized lately that the federal assault weapons ban is set to expire on September 13, 2004 unless Congress and the President take action to renew it. If Congress does nothing, it will be up to the states to address the issue of assault weapons on their own.

"We're encouraged to see that the Governor is taking the lead on assault weapons," said ICHV Executive Director Thom Mannard. "While Congress continues dodging bullets on this issue, our Governor is taking steps to fill in the hole left by the impending expiration of the federal ban."

ICHV is urging our members to contact their state representatives and senators and ask them to take action and support efforts to enact a statewide ban on assault weapons.

In addition, the Governor also stated that, unless an assault weapons ban reaches his desk as well, he would not sign into law a bill that would lower to 18 the age at which Illinois residents can obtain Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) cards without the consent of their parent or guardian.

ICHV opposes efforts to allow 18-year-olds to obtain FOID card without the consent of a parent. We urge our members to contact their state representatives and senators on this issue as well, urging them to oppose SB 2163 and HB 3938.

Visit the Illinois General Assembly website at www.legis.state.il.us to find contact information for your state elected officials.

March 29, 2004

Illinois Gun Deaths Up During 2001

Most Recent Data Shows Illinois Gun Deaths Increased by 14% in 2001

Recently released data provided by the Centers for Disease Control shows that, for the first time since 1994, gun deaths both in Illinois and across the U.S. increased during 2001 (the most recent year for which data is available).

Nationwide, gun deaths totaled 29,573 in 2001, up from the 2000 total of 28,663. Illinois gun deaths were also significantly higher, with 1,289 people killed by guns in our state during 2001, an increase of 14% from the 2000 total of 1,130.

"The increase in gun deaths in our state is a disturbing trend and poses concerns for all Illinois residents," said Thom Mannard, Executive Director of ICHV. "A 14% increase in one year is a serious problem for our communities."

The data includes gun homicides, gun suicides, and unintentional gun deaths, as well as gun deaths from legal intervention and of undetermined intent. When broken down by category, the Illinois numbers show that gun homicides increased by 15% to 747 in 2001, and gun suicides increased by 17% to 505 over the same period.

"While many factors contributed to these numbers, we do know that firearm ownership and availability is directly related to gun death and injury. In fact, a recent study shows a significant relationship between statewide gun ownership and gun death rates for children ages 5 to 14," Mannard stated. "We know that firearm purchases in 2001 dramatically increased in response to the September 11th terrorist attacks, and that certainly had an impact on the increased gun deaths across the county."

The study, "Firearm Availability and Unintentional Firearm Deaths, Suicide, and Homicide Among 5-14 Year-Olds," was conducted by Harvard researchers Matthew Miller, Deborah Azrael, and David Hemenway, and was published in the Journal of Trauma in 2002.

Gun ownership and accessibility has a direct effect on the increased number of people, especially young people, who are injured or killed by guns in America. When we recognize that there are nearly 300 million guns in the United States, one for every man, woman, and child, it only supports the idea that more guns lead to more gun death and injury. In light of this data, we must be all the more vigilant in our efforts to educate the public about the risks of gun accessibility and to reduce death and injury from gun violence.

"We're hopeful that, when the 2002 data are released, we see a decline in gun deaths in Illinois and across the country," Mannard concluded.

March 22, 2004

Recent Study Thwarts Pro-CCW Research

Illinois One of Few States Without Concealed Handguns In Public Places

Over the past year, several state legislatures have either considered or passed "shall-issue" legislation to legalize the carrying of loaded hidden handguns. Both Ohio and New Mexico now allow people to carry their loaded handguns in public, concealed in holsters, pockets, purses, and cars. Missouri recently overrode their governor's veto of a concealed carry bill to institute the law in their state. In Wisconsin, the state assembly was one vote short of overriding the governor's veto of concealed carry. And Kansas is considering legislation in their state. If it passes, only three states, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Nebraska, will not allow loaded hidden handguns in our parks, sports arenas, shopping malls, and churches.

Clearly, this issue is again a hot topic, and we expect the gun lobby to focus their efforts on those three remaining states, including Illinois. But a recent study by Professors John Donohue of Stanford University and Ian Ayres of Yale University has bolstered opponents of CCW with results showing that most states that adopted shall-issue concealed carry laws saw an overall increase in both violent crime and property crime.

"Clearly, the idea that carrying loaded hidden handguns will make us all safer and reduce crime doesn't hold water," said Thom Mannard, Executive Director of ICHV. "This study and many others support what many of us have been saying all along, that more guns actually lead to more crime, more injury, and more death."

Ayers and Donohue duplicated the study done by pro-gun researcher John Lott, Jr., author of several articles and two books promoting the "more guns, less crime" theory. Ayers and Donohue used the same data as Lott (county crime data from 1977-92), plus an additional five years of county crime data (through 1997). They also used the same statistical models that Lott used in his analysis, as well as some additional models to help reduce the potential for "unpredictable affects" that a particular model would have on the outcome.

The Ayers and Donohue study found that 16 of the 23 states that adopted concealed carry laws experienced increases in violent crime, including robbery and murder. In addition, 18 of the 23 states saw increases in property crime as well.

These results --that crime actually increased in states with shall-issue laws-- directly contradict Lott's theory, which is that, with shall-issue laws in place, violent crime would decrease because criminals would fear being "shot or otherwise thwarted by a potential victim or by-stander carrying a concealed weapon," and that property crime would increase because it poses a much smaller risk to criminals of being shot or thwarted by property owners, who are typically absent when these crimes occur. And while Lott's assumption that property crime would increase seemed to hold true, the significant increases in violent crime contradicts his position that armed citizens would prompt criminals to choose property crime instead of violent crime, for fear of being shot by a potential armed victim.

In the last year, several studies have found Lott's work to be less than credible. In fact, Lott himself admitted that not only was he dishonest with one of his crucial research findings, but that he had also invented an on-line personality to defend his flawed work from critics. These facts, however, have not deterred the gun lobby from heralding Lott's work as the sole proof that concealed carry laws reduce crime, and using it to back their claims that guns in the hands of every last person will solve America's crime problems.

"Sadly, this study has had no effect on the gun lobby. They continue their efforts put guns in every possible venue, from our schools and churches to our supermarkets and little league parks," said Mannard. "Every year when the state legislature convenes in Springfield, the gun lobby is right back there with proposals to arm people in every public setting, despite the data to show that CCW does not, in fact, decrease crime, and that the majority of Illinoisans oppose the idea."

The Ayers and Donohue study can be found in the book "Evaluating Gun Policy" (Brookings Institution Press, 2003).

March 15, 2004

Illinois Leads Nation in Manufacturing Post-Ban Assault Weapons

New Study Shows State Has More Post-Ban Weapons Makers Than Any Other

On March 3rd, ICHV and the Million Mom March held a press conference to highlight a new study that shows Illinois has more "post-ban" assault weapon manufacturers than any other state. The study, Illinois: Land of Post-Ban Assault Weapons, was conducted by the Washington, D.C.- based Violence Policy Center ((study can be found in PDF format here).

Since the federal assault weapons ban was passed in 1994, the gun industry has willfully circumvented federal law and created, through a process called "sporterization," a new generation of assault weapons, renaming them "post-ban" or "after-ban" assault weapons. Gun makers have skirted the law by making minor design changes to produce "clones" and "knock-off" versions so they can continue selling these deadly weapons at the expense of law enforcement and public safety.

Six Illinois gun makers-ArmaLite, Inc., D.S. Arms, Inc., Eagle Arms, Les Baer Custom, Inc., Rock River Arms, Inc., and Springfield Armory, Inc.-have manufactured post-ban assault weapons at some point since 1994. Today, all of these companies, except for Springfield Armory, continue to manufacture post-ban semi-automatic assault weapons.

Semi-automatic assault weapons pose a grave risk to our law enforcement officers. One of every five law enforcement officers slain in the line of duty between January 1st, 1998, and December 31st, 2001, was killed with an assault weapon, according to a previous study also conducted by the Violence Policy Center, Officer Down-Assault Weapons and the War on Law Enforcement (study can be viewed online here).

"Just yesterday, as part of the gun industry immunity bill, the U.S. Senate voted in favor of an amendment to extend the assault weapons ban, but sadly a simple extension would do nothing to curtail Illinois' unique distinction as being number one in manufacturing deadly post-ban assault weapons," said Thom Mannard, Executive Director of ICHV, at the March 3rd press conference. "The current assault weapons ban needs to be strengthened, not just renewed. Our police officers deserve better, and we will continue to fight for a stronger law."

Tracy Egan, a representative of the North Side Chapter of the Million Mom March, also spoke at the press conference.

"The Senate vote on the assault weapons ban amendment shows that there is bi-partisan support on this important public safety issue, and that senators on both sides of the aisle know that they don't want to be on the wrong side of the assault weapons debate or gun violence prevention measures," Egan stated. "Our work now is to continue to educate the public and lawmakers about the need for strengthening the ban."

Mannard said, "March 13th marks the six month countdown for expiration of the federal assault weapons ban. Congress cannot afford to wait any longer to deal with this issue. The House leadership needs to step up and bring this critical issue to a vote so the American people can see where they truly stand on issues of public safety and homeland security."

March 8, 2004

VICTORY IN SENATE: Gun Industry Immunity Bill Shot Down by 90-8 Vote

Despite Gun Lobby Hopes, Senate Rejects Their Top Priority

In a stunning victory for gun violence prevention advocates, the U.S. Senate last Tuesday defeated, by a vote of 90-8, a bill that would have given gun makers and dealers unprecedented immunity from civil lawsuits, a proposal that was the top priority for the gun lobby.

"Our supporters have been contacting their Senators for the past two weeks urging them to oppose this bill, and their work won a huge victory," said Thom Mannard, Executive Director of ICHV. "What the Senate did by voting this measure down was respond to the majority of Americans who oppose special treatment for any industry, especially one that make such deadly products."

Indeed, the bill would have singled out the gun industry for special protections afforded to no other consumer industry in America. This bill would have not only prevented any future lawsuits from being filed, but would also have thrown out any lawsuits that are currently in the court system, including the suit brought by the family of slain Chicago police officer Michael Ceriale, and the suits brought by the families of the DC sniper victims.

"As much as the gun lobby wishes otherwise, this vote proves that gun violence prevention is still a priority with members of the U.S. Senate and will in fact play a major factor in the November elections," said Mannard. "Americans are paying close attention, and they will cast their ballots based on how incumbent legislators voted on gun issues."

The bill's defeat was an historic victory for gun violence prevention advocates, who rallied over the last two weeks to push Senators to vote against the measure. We also gained victories on several amendments that were attached to the bill, including an amendment to renew the federal Assault Weapons Ban for ten more years, which passed the Senate 52 to 47, and amendments to close the gun show loophole and to enhance penalties on the use of armor piercing "cop-killer" bullets, which passed by votes of 53-46 and 85-12 respectively. Both Illinois Senators Richard Durbin and Peter Fitzgerald voted in favor of these amendments.

But these amendments doomed the fate of the immunity bill. The gun lobby and the White House pulled their support for the bill after these common sense amendments passed the Senate and were attached. The immunity bill's chief sponsor, Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), was so opposed to the assault weapons and gun show amendments that he urged his colleagues to vote against the bill, stating, "I believe [the bill] is so dramatically wounded that it should not pass."

The gun lobby's opposition to these amendments clearly shows how out of step they are with the majority of Americans who support requiring criminal background checks at gun shows and renewing the assault weapons ban. Recent polls of Illinois voters show that 70% support renewing and strengthening the assault weapons ban, and 94% support criminal background checks at gun shows. Nationally, 80% of Americans believe Congress should at minimum renew the assault weapons ban, and 92% of Americans support criminal background checks for all handgun purchases.

"Our members worked hard to contact Durbin and Fitzgerald, and it paid off," Mannard stated. "We owe a big thank you to our Illinois Senators standing up for their constituents and against the pressure of the gun lobby."

March 1, 2004

HELP Network Conference Set for April in Chicago

Doctors and Other Health Professionals to Discuss Medical Standards for Gun Injury Prevention

When thinking about gun injury and death in America, people often ask why medical societies and other health professionals view it as a public health issue. Perhaps it's because guns are the second leading cause of injury-related death in the United States. Data gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more than 28,000 Americans die each year from gun injuries (approximately 16,000 suicides and 11,000 homicides). While those numbers are down by nearly 10,000 from the mid 1990's, the U.S. still has a gun death rate 8 times higher than rates in other industrialized countries.

In addition to those killed by guns, more than 55,000 Americans suffer nonfatal gun injuries every year, often leaving them with life-altering debilities requiring lifelong medical care. Increasingly, the medical professionals who treat these injuries are shifting their focus from treatment to prevention. Indeed, there has been considerable consensus by the major medical societies on specific approaches to gun injury prevention.

The HELP Network will focus on prevention and the medical field at its 8th conference, Defining a Medical Standard of Care for Gun Injury Prevention. The conference will be held April 16-18, 2004, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

The HELP Network's mission is to reduce gun death and injury by promoting established public health approaches and by serving as a catalyst for a growing network of regional, national and international professional organizations. HELP provides information regarding the health effects of firearms, and promotes policies that will enhance public health efforts to prevent firearm injury and death.

The HELP conference provides a unique educational opportunity for physicians and other health professionals to focus on an important public health issue. While this educational event is designed especially for physicians, other interested health care professionals and gun violence prevention advocates are encouraged to attend to obtain current information on the public health effects of gun violence and on emerging strategies to prevent gun injury.

For more information about the 8th HELP Network conference, Defining a Medical Standard of Care for Gun Injury Prevention, April 16-18, 2004, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, visit the HELP Network website at www.helpnetwork.org.

February 22, 2004

U.S. Senate Vote Imminent on Gun Industry Immunity Bill

Measure would give gun industry unprecedented protection from civil lawsuits

As U.S. Senators head back to Washington on February 24th, a vote is likely on a measure that would give sweeping and unprecedented protection from civil lawsuits to gun makers and dealers across the country, protections that no other consumer industry currently enjoys.

The gun lobby is pushing for special treatment from Congress in the form of Senate Resolution 659 (S. 659). This measure is part of an unprecedented effort to single out one industry for sweeping immunity from most civil lawsuits, including cases when they engaged in negligent or intentional misconduct.

When someone files a lawsuit, it's up to the judge to decide if the case has merit and whether it will proceed to trial. But S. 659 prohibits civil lawsuits, even ones that are currently in the courts, such as the suit brought by the family of slain Chicago police officer Michael Ceriale and the suits brought by the families of the DC sniper victims. The purpose of our judicial system is to keep in check the other branches of government. If the Senate follows the House's lead and passes S. 659, then Congress is essentially anointing itself judge and jury, making our judicial system impotent and irrelevant.

"By granting immunity from civil litigation, Congress wants to give the gun industry a bullet-proof vest," said Thom Mannard, Executive Director of ICHV. "This bill would exempt from liability even the most heinous gun makers and dealers who are linked to hundreds of crime guns. Where is the justice in that?"

The measure essentially encourages reckless and negligent industry practices that endanger the health and lives of the consumers they claim to serve, because it seeks to remove any recourse for those who are adversely affected by the industry. If the Senate caves in to the special interests of the gun lobby and grants the immunity it seeks, they will be setting an unprecedented and dangerous standard for our nation's legal system, inviting one industry after another to demand the same special treatment from Congress, the same exemptions from our country's laws.

Since this bill was first introduced, hundreds of organizations across the country have voiced their opposition to this special interest measure, including mayors and police chiefs, gun violence prevention advocates, and religious and consumer rights groups. Several newspapers across the country have also taken a position against immunity, publishing editorials urging the Senate to defeat this measure. The February 18th Newsday editorial reminded our Senators that "holding people liable if their negligence contributes to the injury of others is one of the oldest principles of civil justice."

"No other industry in the U.S. enjoys the kind of protection that Congress wants to give the makers of these deadly products," said Mannard. "The Senate must stand up against special interest protections for the gun industry and in favor of victims' rights by voting against S. 659."

February 16, 2004

Clergy for Safer Streets Announces Gun Turn In

Six local churches participate in Valentine's Day event

The Chicago-based group Clergy for Safer Streets announced a gun turn in event to take place at 6 churches across the city on Saturday, February 14th, 2004. More than 30 churches and congregations are involved with the Clergy for Safer Streets coalition, and several representatives attended a press conference on February 10th to announce the turn in events.

"Our message today is to show your love and save a life by turning in your gun," said Rev. Dr. Walter Johnson, pastor of the Wayman A.M.E. Church, which will serve as one of the turn in locations. "The purpose of our efforts is to reduce gun violence in the city by giving the general public an opportunity to get rid of any unwanted guns in their homes, and to give the people with illegal guns, especially our young people who may be on the wrong track, an opportunity to come into the house of God, turn over their guns, and move forward on a more positive path through the church."

These events are part of an ongoing effort by Clergy for Safer Streets to reach out to the communities that are most affected by gun violence, and to those who are involved in gangs and drugs. In December, the Clergy group focused on the pipeline of illegal guns that flow into Chicago through criminal networks. According to the group, the gun turn in offers a chance for those people who possess these illegal guns to give them up and make a change in their own lives. ICHV partnered with Clergy for Safer Streets on these efforts.

"As people who promote messages of peace and non-violence, it's great to see the faith community taking matters into their own hands and addressing violence so directly," said Thom Mannard, ICHV Executive Director. "Certainly our clergy see better than most of us the tragic toll that gun violence takes on their communities, and they are charged not only with consoling families who have lost loved ones, but also with working to help stop the violence."

Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina's Church also participated in the announcement. St. Sabina's will serve as one of the gun turn in locations.

"Guns still pour into our city and fall into the hands of gang members, drug dealers, those who have lost hope in a better future, and our young people whose minds are easily influenced by such powerful and deadly items," said "We are reaching out to these people who are most at risk for gun violence, spreading the words of peace, love, and forgiveness, and urging them to give up violence, to give up guns, and to give in to a life of hope and prosperity. We believe this is essential work for the church."

Cleary, guns are weapons of mass destruction in our own communities, and the efforts of Clergy for Safer streets to help get these weapons off our streets are truly commendable. ICHV applauds their efforts and is proud to be working together with them.

February 9, 2004

ICHV 9th Annual Essay, Poetry & Art Contest Kicks Off

Students Voice Their Concerns About Gun Violence

As spring approaches, ICHV is kicking off the 9th Annual Essay, Poetry & Art Contest. What began as a simple writing event for a small group of students has grown over the years into an annual contest that has given thousands of Illinois students the opportunity to raise their voices on gun violence issues while building their creative art and writing skills.

ICHV is very concerned about the effects of gun violence on our youth. Our children and youth are the segment of the population most affected by gun violence, either as victims of tragic gun incidents, or as survivors who must carry on after they have lost a parent, sibling or friend. The contest gives students an outlet for expressing their thoughts and feelings about gun violence, and for sharing how gun violence has affected their lives.

"Our young people often do not have voice in the decisions that are made by adults on their behalf," said Bob Williamson, ICHV board member, former school teacher, and founder of the Essay Contest. "By writing or creating artwork, young people can share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas with the rest of us, especially the adults who are charged with leading our children toward a better, safer future."

Over the contest's history, ICHV has honored 77 students from 54 different schools. The winners are chosen by a Blue Ribbon panel of judges, including local TV and radio personalities, published authors, and artists. Winners are recognized at an awards assembly at one of the winning schools, where they are honored for their achievements in front of their peers, family and friends. Students also read their essays and poems and display their artworks at the awards assembly. Prizes include a $100 bookstore gift certificate for individual students, and a brand new computer for their schools.

"We never expected the contest to grow into something this big," said Mr. Williamson. "We're thrilled about the opportunity to work with young people, and we look forward to including more and more schools each year."

February 2, 2004

Illinois Governor Reiterates Support for Sensible Gun Laws

Governor Rod Blagojevich Supports Ban on Assault Weapons and Other Measures in Illinois State House

In early January, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich stated in an interview with the Chicago Tribune that he would support a ban on semi-automatic assault weapons and a measure to limit handgun purchases to one per month to help stem gun trafficking through straw buyers. While some pro-gun advocates are claiming the Governor "backtracked" on promises during his campaign to protect the 2nd Amendment, these statements reaffirm the Governor's longstanding support for sensible gun laws throughout his career in public service.

Governor Blagojevich's support for a law banning assault weapons reflects public support for such a law. A September 2003 poll of Illinois voters showed that 69.7% support re-authorizing and strengthening the federal assault weapons ban, which will sunset on September 13th, 2004, unless Congress and President Bush reauthorize the law. A nationwide poll conducted in November for NBC News and The Wall Street Journal showed that 78% of Americans believe the U.S. Congress should keep the ban on assault weapons. And a 2002 Internet survey of Field & Stream subscribers found that 67% of hunters and other outdoor sportsmen do not consider assault weapons to be legitimate sporting guns. But if Congress bends to the pressure of the gun lobby and simply lets this ban expire in September, despite strong nationwide support for the law, then it will be up to state governments to enact such laws.

Support for other gun violence prevention measures, such as criminal background checks on all gun sales in Illinois, is also widespread across the state. But this sensible provision has been abandoned by federal legislators due to gun lobby pressure. The Omnibus spending bill recently passed by the U.S. Congress included hidden provisions to dispose of criminal background check data after 24 hours, allowing buyers to walk away with guns in that time even if their background check was not completed. This provision will severely hamper law enforcements ability to ensure that gun purchasers do not have violent criminal histories or severe mental illness. Resolving this issue in the state legislature can help us ensure that gun buyers cannot walk away with a firearm unless they pass the required criminal history check. And a one-handgun-per-month provision would help stem the pipeline of guns flooding the criminal market through straw purchasers. As long as straw purchasers can continue to buy dozens of handguns at one time, guns will flows easily into the hands of criminals.

ICHV looks forward to working with Governor Blagojevich on measures to reduce gun crime and death in our state.

January 26, 2004

69% of Illinois Voters Support Strengthening the Assault Weapons Ban

Federal Assault Weapons Ban Will Sunset on September 13, 2004 Unless Congress and President Bush Take Action.

Recent poll results show that 69.7% of Illinois voters support re-authorizing and strengthening the federal assault weapons ban, which will sunset on September 13th, 2004, unless President Bush and Congress reauthorize the 1994 law. The poll results were released Wednesday in Springfield at a press conference sponsored by Champaign County Health Care Consumers (CCHCC) and the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence (ICHV).

The survey results were part of the 2003 Annual Survey of Illinois Voters, which interviewed a random sample of 821 registered voters throughout Illinois on a number of public policy issues, including assault weapons. Households were chosen through random digit dialing and further screened for proper sampling within the household. The 69.7% of Illinois voters who favor strengthening the assault weapons ban is comprised of 61% who strongly support improving and strengthening the law and 8% who somewhat favor strengthening the law.

"This survey shows that Illinois voters, including downstate voters, support keeping military style semi-automatic assault rifles out of our communities and off our streets," said Brooke Anderson, Project Organizer for the Champaign County Health Care Consumers. "The people of Illinois clearly want to see the gun industry held accountable and for Congress to close deadly loopholes in the assault weapons ban."

Although the federal assault weapons ban was passed in 1994, the gun industry has willfully circumvented the ban and created a new class of assault weapons, calling them "post-ban" or "after-ban" assault weapons. Gun manufacturers have evaded the intent of the law by making minor design changes and continuing to produce and sell assault weapon "clones" and "knock-offs" at the expense of public safety.

These combat style semi-automatic assault weapons pose an especially grave risk to law enforcement officers. One in every five law enforcement officers slain in the line of duty from 1998 to 2001 were killed by assault weapons, according to "Officer Down," a report by the Violence Policy Center. This is one reason why the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police supports strengthening the assault weapons ban. Just last week, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police passed a resolution stating that the group "strongly supports legislation to reauthorize the existing ban on assault weapons" and "supports any technical amendments to correct oversights in the original law that weaken the effects of the prohibition on assault weapons."

Other national surveys have also shown broad support for the assault weapons ban. Last October the Consumer Federation of America found that 62% of those surveyed supported renewing the ban, including 50% of gun owners. And a poll conducted last November for NBC News and The Wall Street Journal showed that 78% of Americans believe the U.S. Congress should keep the ban on assault weapons.

It is urgent for Congress and President Bush to act and reauthorize the assault weapons ban before it sunsets on September 13th, 2004. Seven Illinois Congressional members have signed on as co-sponsors of the Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act (House Resolution 2038) that renew the existing ban and would close loopholes that have been exploited by the gun industry. Those Congressional members include Representatives Bobby Rush, Danny Davis, Rahm Emanuel, Luis Gutierrez, Jesse Jackson Jr., Bill Lipinski, and Jan Schakowsky. Congressmen Lane Evans (D-17th), Mark Kirk (R-10th), and Henry Hyde (R-6th) have also indicated their support for renewing and strengthening the assault weapons ban.

Several of these members of Congress also co-signed a letter to House Speaker Dennis Hastert (IL-14th) and President Bush that stated "[i]t is critically important to the safety of all Americans that we not only renew this ban on deadly assault weapons but that we also strengthen it." In previous statements, the President has stated that he supports the ban.

January 19, 2004

Urge your U.S. Senators to Oppose the Omnibus Spending Bill

Gun Lobby Attached Anti-Law Enforcement Provisions; Senate to Vote on Tuesday, January 20th

In December, ICHV highlighted a press release from the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV) about how the gun lobby prompted Congress to pull off a last-minute move to use the combined end-of-the-year appropriations bill to push through anti-law enforcement measures that did not pass through Congress on their own.

Tucked away in the massive omnibus spending bill are provisions that would codify into law the near-immediate destruction of criminal background check records for gun purchases, and hamper law enforcement's ability to share and analyze crime-gun trace data.

The legislation passed out of the House of Representatives on December 8th, 2003. The bill is now in the U.S. Senate where it will be called up for a vote on Tuesday, January 20th.

ICHV is working with the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence and other gun violence prevention groups to urge the U.S. Senate to reject these anti-law enforcement provisions by opposing the omnibus bill when it considers the legislation on January 20th.

Here are 2 ways to take action on this issue:

1) Send a quick email or letter to your Senators by clicking HERE

2) Forward this email to your friends and family. We need the Senate to hear from everyone who supports tough enforcement of our nation's gun laws.

Urge your Senators to OPPOSE THE OMNIBUS SPENDING BILL DUE TO THE ANTI-LAW ENFORCEMENT MEASURES ATTACHED.

For more information, visit CSGV's website at http://www.csgv.org/. A more detailed fact sheet is available for download on the front page, located in the center under the heading Congress' Secret Santa.

January 12, 2004

New Year Brings Many Issues on Gun Violence at Federal Level

Several Items To Be Decided in 2004

As the New Year begins, we look toward the many issues facing Americans regarding gun violence prevention. Several critical issues from 2003 are still undecided as we change our calendars.

The federal Gun Immunity bill, which would prevent lawsuits against reckless gun dealers and manufacturers, is still a crucial issue. The gun lobby has put enormous pressure on Congress to bend to their will and pass this legislation. The U.S. House passed the bill last year, and the Senate is extremely close to giving in, save for a promised filibuster by opposing Senators. Now is the time to contact your Senators and urge them to support the filibuster and vote against the Immunity bill.

The federal Assault Weapons Ban is set to expire on September 14, 2004. In order to be reauthorized, Congress must hold a vote on the issue. But the work to secure renewal of the existing law, let alone to close the loopholes, is proving to be extremely difficult thanks to a gun lobby that wants to once again legalize these weapons of mass destruction in addition to forcing Congress to protect reckless and irresponsible gun makers and sellers through the Immunity bill.

Support for the ban has in fact been growing steadily over the past several years, as shown by a plethora of polls. An August 12-13, 1999 poll showed that 68% of Americans, including 63% of gun owners, supported a ban on assault weapons, and a successive poll conducted from August 30 to September 2, 1999, showed that 77% of American adults supported such a ban. Even a spring 2002 poll in Field & Stream magazine, whose primary audience is hunters and other outdoor sportsmen, showed that 67% of respondents did not consider assault weapons to be legitimate sporting guns. Most recently, and NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll showed that 78% of Americans believe the U.S. Congress should keep the ban on assault weapons.

With this kind of nationwide support for the assault weapons ban, including the support of President Bush, it only makes sense that Congress should at minimum renew the ban, and hopefully strengthen the law to close existing loopholes. But intense pressure from the gun lobby is counteracting common sense.

"It's an uphill battle in Washington this year," said Thom Mannard, Executive Director for ICHV. "Congressional leaders have caved in to the gun lobby and strategically pushed off dealing with these issues for political reasons. By doing that, they're not serving the interests of American citizens who overwhelmingly support a ban on assault weapons."

Indeed, despite widespread public support for the assault weapons ban, Congressional leaders like House Majority Leader Tom Delay (R-TX) have promised to quash efforts to bring this issue to a vote, even stating publicly last May their intentions to actively work against allowing a vote on renewal. The NRA is attempting to coerce and intimidate members of Congress, particularly the Republican leadership, urging them to sit on their hands and let the existing ban expire next fall without any discussion, let alone a vote, which this critical issue truly deserves.

"The assault weapons ban is an issue critical to homeland defense and security. The majority of Americans understand the dangers that assault weapons pose to the public, and they don't want them on our streets," stated Mannard. "By refusing to take action on this measure, members of Congress will only be showing the American public that they do not want to be held accountable for their actions, which is not only inexcusable, but gutless as well. Congress has a responsibility to all Americans to vote on this critical issue."