Care to become a criminal?

The House passed the concurrence on HB 182 on May 29, 2009, with a vote of 90-28. Rep. Franks and Rep. Tryon voted in favor of this, as did Sen. Althoff on the Senate version. The Senate's vote was 57-0.

Now, here's what you can do. Call Gov. Quinn's office at 312/814-2121 right now and ask him to sign this into law. The following is the press release from the Illinois State Rifle Assn.

"URGENT ALERT -- YOUR IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED
GUN CONTROL GROUPS WANT YOU ARRESTED, TRIED, AND JAILED FOR TOUCHING GUNS

"In a strong show of bipartisan support earlier this spring, the Illinois General Assembly overwhelmingly passed HB182. This important piece of legislation clarified ambiguities in the unlawful weapons use statutes. These clarifications ensured that law-abiding citizens would not accidentally violate the law while preserving the justice system's ability to arrest and try violent criminals.

"As you might expect, the gun-control extremists are blasting the General Assembly for making these reforms. The gun grabbers are mounting a campaign to have Governor Quinn veto HB182.

"WHAT IT WOULD MEAN TO YOU IF GOVERNOR QUINN VETOES HB182:
1. You would not be able to handle a firearm in any manner outside your own home, a gun shop, or gun range.
2. Let's say you were invited to a birthday party for your friend Hank. Let's say that one of Hank's gifts was a new shotgun. Hank notices you admiring the shotgun and hands it to you so that you could examine it. If Gov. Quinn vetoes HB182, then you could be subject to arrest and felony prosecution for handling Hank's new shotgun -- even if you possess a valid FOID.
3. Let's say your buddy Bill asks you and Hank to come down to his farm for a day and for you to bring a couple of rifles with you for some good old fashioned plinking. If Gov. Quinn vetoes HB182, then you and Hank could be subject to arrest and felony prosecution for plinking on Bill's farm, despite the fact that Bill gave you permission and despite the fact that you possess a valid FOID.
4. Let's say you're on the road and stop off at a hotel in a seedy part of town. Once inside your room, you unpack and load a pistol and place it on the hotel room nightstand. If Gov. Quinn vetoes HB182, then you could be subject to arrest and felony prosecution for preparing to protect yourself within your hotel room.

"Once again, we see that the primary interest of the gun control movement is to harass law abiding gun owners. WHAT YOU MUST DO TO PROTECT YOUR GUN RIGHTS:

1. Call Governor Quinn's Office as soon as possible at (312) 814-2121 and POLITELY tell the person who answers the phone that you are a law-abiding firearm owner and that you are tired of being treated like a criminal. Politely tell the person that you would like Governor Quinn to sign HB182 into law at his nearest convenience.
2. Pass this alert along to all your gun owning friends and neighbors.
3. Post this alert to any and all Internet blogs or bulletin boards to which you may belong.

"REMEMBER -- GUN CONTROL IS A DISEASE -- YOU ARE THE CURE!"