Richard Pearson, executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA), is calling upon its members to keep abreast of what is happening in Springfield.
“We are now seeing bills introduced that I call the 'gems of January,'” Pearson wrote in a bulletin sent to members on Jan. 31. “These bills clearly indicate where the anti-gun mob would like to go."
Among the measures that most caught Pearson’s eye is House Bill 888, which he describes as “an anti-gun social media bill" introduced by freshmen lawmaker Rep. Daniel Didech (D-Buffalo Grove).
Richard Pearson
“This bill requires the Illinois State Police (ISP) to conduct a search of a person’s social media accounts before issuing or renewing their FOID card,” Pearson added. “You can also have your FOID card revoked if the ISP finds something they disagree with. This bill would make Adolf Hitler proud—no 1st Amendment Rights, no 2nd Amendment Rights and no 4th Amendment Rights.”
Pearson also takes exception to Senate Bill 107, the assault weapons ban sponsored by state Sens. Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield), Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) and Antonio Munoz (D-Chicago) that would place numerous restrictions on legal gun owners not registered with ISP.
“Registration is the first step to confiscation,” Pearson added. “There are more bills out there and more will be introduced. This is just the beginning.
“The ISRA will, of course, fight these bills and fight them in court if we have to,” he said. “If the anti-gun side ever looks outside their ideological ivory tower, they will see more and more of these bills are being challenged in court, the last stop being the United States Supreme Court. The attitude of the anti-gun side has been, "We will pass these bills and if you want your rights back, you will have to sue for them.' We will.”
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