I often read opinions defending these unconstitutional laws, but I rarely see opinions to the contrary. I would like to speak out against the proposed Illinois Community Protection Act.
We’ve all seen snippets of opinion in support of this, and it’s all for the same reason. Those who seek to essentially disarm the public in order to feel safer are doing the exact opposite. Rarely attracts the attention of Also, by definition, criminals tend to overlook disobedience to the law. Therefore, the new law disarms only law-abiding citizens.
We hear hot taglines like “assault weapon,” “high-capacity magazine,” and “military grade,” but few people seem to understand what they mean. No politician can explain what an “offensive weapon” is, because an “assault weapon” is a myth. Visually speaking, the same parts can be attached to the nailer used to build a house. Does that make it a weapon of war? because they look alike? And what about the many other items that are weapons of war? Knives? jeep? boat? pen? Computer? plane? The military uses them all. And it has more blood on it than his AR-15, all civilian.
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A “high-capacity” magazine is another coined term. A 30-round magazine is the standard capacity for most rifles. Pistols vary from 7 to 17 for standard capacity. None of them are “high capacity”.
Let’s move on to the term “military grade”. This simply means meeting the minimum criteria for the lowest price. Military grade is not a standard for judging quality or functionality.
Every year we see a staggering number of deaths from firearms. But according to sources like Pew Research and the FBI, more than half of the 40,000 deaths per year are from self-inflicted gunshots. Suicide is a mental health issue. If the same person happens to drive in front of a semi using his car, are we going to ban the car? Or a semi truck? We seek to help those in need in times of great turmoil. So why do we blame guns for suicide?
Sure, more can be done to save lives when it comes to gun violence, but the answer isn’t to get rid of guns. Let’s not let violent criminals escape easily. Please impose harsher punishments. Let criminals fear prison instead of seeing it as stepping stones and small obstacles. Help free our youth from street and gang life. Help the poor move forward so that crime doesn’t look so glamorous. Please help those who are suffering mentally. Fix the family court system so that while a vengeful ex dries him out, it’s not so wrecked that men think suicide is better than being seen as a failure for their children.
See what has become of society and try to solve the problem. Don’t blame inanimate objects. Criminals are still criminals and people still harm each other. Suicide will continue to occur. Tackle the real problem and stop looking for scapegoats.
Jason Hartel, Naperville
Kevin McCarthy’s victory is the final hurray
I couldn’t help but notice the irony of the House Speaker’s 15-round vote. It’s reminiscent of 1975’s “The Thrilla in Manila” between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. After Ali and Frazier made his 14 rounds brutal in the stifling heat of the Philippines, Frazier’s trainer relentlessly signaled to end things before the final round.
It’s a shame nobody called it out before Kevin McCarthy’s final round. Despite McCarthy’s victory, the already weakened man is so bloodied that unlike Ali, he never lives to fight again.
Tom Scoby, St. Charles
