New Trier Gun Control Panelist Reacts to Protests
Bill Jenkins, a panelist at Sunday's gun control panel, discusses his stance in this letter to the editor.
To the Editor,
I was the featured speaker at the New Trier Democrats’ event on gun violence last Sunday. Word had gone out from the Illinois State Rifle Association warning that this would be a “recruitment andorganizational rally” and “These are the people leading the charge to raid your gun safe and confiscateand destroy your guns. … These are the people who don't care if you or your family members are raped,robbed and murdered by violent criminals. They only care about one thing - disarming you.” Althoughnot at all true, it was with this incitement that gun advocates came from all over the state to our littleevent, loaded for bear, as it were.
From the moment they hijacked the meeting’s agenda by turning the Pledge of Allegiance into self-serving posturing, we knew this crowd was not there to listen. Kudos to Judy Mandel of the New TrierDems for doing her very best to ride herd on this unruly group that was fully prepared to “[challenge]those who would tear down our Bill of Rights.” These downstaters who arrived early with a disruptiveagenda were clearly at the wrong meeting.
Four experts in gun violence prevention were asked to prepare a basic educational program about thegun industry and the violence that inevitably accompanies an over-abundance of guns coupled with easyaccess. The event was not for those who would take any criticism of the gun industry’s corporatebehavior as a personal affront. It was not for anyone who was looking to bait or argue with thespeakers. And it was not structured for audience members to present personal opinions outside of thequestion and answer period.
I’m sure many of these folks are very nice people when they don’t have “gun fever.” I spoke withseveral afterwards whose sympathy for our personal losses was quite sincere. I found that these quiet,thoughtful gun owners and I actually have a lot in common. We both want to keep guns out of thehands of criminals in the first place and are willing to consider each other’s concerns in the process. Ijust wish they would stand up to the bullies in their midst and call for the meaningful reforms wealready agree on so that victims don’t have to do all the work.
In the fifteen years since my son’s murder, I have looked deeply into the gun issue and have observedthat people with something tangible to lose will often fight more fiercely than those with somethingintangible to gain. But the Constitution belongs to all of us, not just the most strident or the most wellfunded. The Second Amendment belongs to those on both sides of the gun. Other countries havefigured out how to effectively deal with horrific gun violence by interdicting criminal access to firearmsand life goes on without tyranny, enslavement, and the collapse of civilization. We can, too
Bill Jenkins
Northfield, IL
Jim
6:40 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Bill sounds like a reasonable and sincere person who thinks rationally and strongly speaks for his opinions. The problem is not finding a rational way to accomplish his ends in accord with the second amendment. It is that most gun advocates and owners do not trust the politicians and the regulators at any level of government. And why nshould they. Look at what they have done to the economy and fiscal policy, the housing market, the tax situation, the infrastructure, the popular culture, the mental health system, the criminal justice system, the political system, the public school system, etc, etc. If the powers that be were considered trustworthy and reliable and intelligent, reasonable gun policy probably could be devised and implemented very quickly.
Sully
6:02 am on Thursday, January 24, 2013
But what does that have to do with people disrupting this forum? Whatever the reason for disagreement, that does not give carte blanche to be rude and disrespectful. The distractions at this forum would not even have the courtesy, or interest, in what the subject here was about. If they refuse to hear what others say, they're being ignorant.
Willie Wilmette
10:01 pm on Saturday, January 26, 2013
But what does that have to do with people using taxpayer funded buildings to forward a political agenda? Shouldn't there be a law against taxpayers being forced to support political causes that they may not agree with?
I wasn't there so I can not speak about any rudeness, but rudeness is uncalled for.
Dan Cox
9:47 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
1/6/13 Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, Sponsored Bill: SB 2899, a Assault Weapons Ban, with confiscation authorization to the Illinois State Police. Many guns were listed in this so-called Assault Weapons Ban, including Pump Action Shotguns, which have existed for over 100 years and are one of the most common home defense guns in Illinois and America. This Bill was being readied for a Vote, during the Lame Duck Session. Illinois State Rifle Association, informed its members of the threat and we killed the Bill, before it even left commitee. We are dedicated Second Amendment Defenders and we will stand to defend our Rights, at any place, in which they are threatened. Many of us are Veterans and the Sons, Daughters and Grandsons and Granddaughters of Veterans. When you dare to attack our hard fought for Rights, you had better be prepared for a fight. We are not soft spoken Liberals, that depend on others to protect and defend us and our families, we defend ourselves and our families. We do not need 911, we have a 1911. Something has been lost, men are not allowed to be men in these Chicago Suburbs, they are not allowed to stand up and defend their families. They are taught to call 911 and pray, that the Police come in time, to save them. That kind of liberal weakness, makes me Ill and annoys me. Keep your hands off of my Constitutional Rights!
Sully
6:03 am on Thursday, January 24, 2013
You da man, Dan!
L Vondrake
10:20 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
The vast marjority of firefights are fought with these weapons on semi-automatic for accuracy. The military version has fully automatic, and semi- automatic.
The rate of travel of the round i is beyond 3200 ft per second. On a head shot it will empty or remove most of the skull, or destroy large amounts of human tissue in a body shot. Bullets leave a large hole on the exit side of the wound, be it Ak-47 or AR-15 or bushmaster or whatever the name. Putting a 30 round magazine on this killing machine is totally insane.As a Marine NCO (5th Marines Vietnam 68/69) Grunt we used 20 round magazines. That was the standard issue.Inverting one and taping together two 20 round you in effect have a very fast change to lock and load when the first magazine is empty.
Banning these types of weapons is common sense, and has nothing to do with the right to keep a weapon for protection as our founding father's suggested. Any weapon that can bring down aircraft, kill in quanity should be and must be eliminated from civilians.
I suggest that people that get their jollys off by firing these weapons should join the US Military or specifically the US Marines. I can assure them they will get all the action of a lifetime the first time in war or their first firefight.
These dear children and adults were shot multiple times and for those on the scene first will never ever remove from their minds the damage and carnage the little but high velosity rounds do to the human body. L Vondrake
bvklaw
12:35 am on Thursday, January 24, 2013
To Bill Jenkins. I find it interesting that the Second Amendment Rights groups who loudly proclaim that "the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed," conveniently forget that those words are preceded by "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state." What do they have to say about "a well regulated militia"? Nothing at all, of course.
Dan Cox
10:42 am on Thursday, January 24, 2013
The problem that you and many people have with the phrase "A well regulated militia, being necessarry to the security of a free state." I s simply a lack of understanding, in what the phrase mean, let me break it down for you. 1. Militia, Armed Citizens. 2. Well Regulated, well armed and equipted, 3. Security of a free state, in defense of their home state. This is the simple explanation of why it does refer to citizens in a militia. We have an Army and we do not need a "Right" to arm an army. Soldiers in the military do not serve in the military, with our judicial system and constitutional rights as a defense against criminal charges. A soldier is subject to Military Law and can be hung or shot to death for a serious offense. The Illinois Constitution and many other states have a portion in it that states: All able bodied men are members of the state militia and may be called to serve in the defense of the state. I hope that this helps you and now you can go slap the school teachers that did not give you a proper education.
Willie Wilmette
10:04 pm on Saturday, January 26, 2013
The problem with the First Amendment is that notoriety encourages copycat killers.
L Vondrake
10:23 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
My thoughts exactly. Thank you. Executive order, register, and and get regulated by General Chesty Puller.
Sully
6:04 am on Thursday, January 24, 2013
I've brought that point up several times. They usually answer with "constitution" or some other very lame verbiage.
Dan Cox
9:12 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Illinois State Constitution, Article 12. State Militia. If you are a able bodied person, residing in Illinois, you are in the State Militia, in defense of the State.
Derek R.
2:27 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013
The 2nd amendment supporters would have served the cause more effectively had they controlled their tempers and contributed to a civil dialogue. That said, I appreciate and support their cause. The increase of government controls is not consistent with the spirit of the United States Constitution. Furthermore, I would simply appeal to common sense in this whole controversy. Does anybody actually believe that legislation protects us from deranged, violent criminals? Does the banning of drugs stop the abuse of them? Violence, hate, and selfishness seem to be endemic to humanity. Legislation won't solve the problem; people taking an interest in their families and communities might be a solution though. Is it a coincidence that the decline of the nuclear family has been accompanied by the growth of mental instability across demographic groups? Do we not think this has to do with increased violence? A child who is raised without the inculcation of ethics by which to live is predisposed to a troubled future. Furthermore, humans are creative, and our creativity and ingenuity can be harnessed for great good or incredible tragedy. Legislation will not ever be able to corral the human mind; that said, regulations and restrictions will, I believe, prove to be ineffective. To the Air Force vet, well said, sir. From one vet to another, thank you for generally keeping your composure and giving a well-spoken and concise rebuttal to the New Trier Democrats.
Lee Mulcahy
10:27 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013
This issue is meant to divide us. The Crown family's revenue at General Dynamics tripled from 2000 to 2010 from selling weapons to all sides. End war first and then tackle the gun issue. But Obama won't stop the war profiteers his wife sleeps with [she crashes at the Crown's winter palace in Chicago South/Aspen when she skis...]
Dan Cox
6:01 am on Saturday, January 26, 2013
Thank You, well said and I agree 100%.
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