Teenagers gather to support gun ownership rights

A group of young people Tuesday night chimed in on the old debate over gun control.

And the message they stressed during a Second Amendment forum at Wheaton city hall was that gun-control measures won't reduce firearm-related violence.

"Additional laws and taking away the rights of the people to bear arms simply will never work," said Christos Dimoulis, a 15-year-old South Barrington resident.

The home-schooled student served as master of ceremonies during the meeting, which was held in response to an April 21 gun control forum sponsored by several League of Women Voters chapters and the Illinois Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

Because last month's forum was held for Wheaton North High School students, the organizer of Tuesday's event said she wanted local teenagers to participate.

"We must have high school students addressing the other side and their peers," said Rosanna Pulido, who invited several teens to speak.

Olivia Snow said she decided to participate because she wanted to talk about the value of the U.S. Constitution.

"We stand here today as young Americans feeling that it is our duty - not only to protect our own rights - but to protect the rights of the generations to come," the 17-year-old Wheaton resident told the crowd of more than 100 people.

Unlike last month's gun control forum, which was cut short because of hecklers, Tuesday night's forum was calm. Members of the audience interrupted speakers only to applaud, cheer or voice agreement.

While several gun-rights experts spoke, the teenagers got a huge response.

Nik Powell, a 16-year-old sophomore at Lake Park High School in Roselle, said he enjoys shooting guns with his father and uncle. "It's a good experience for the whole family as long as you know what you are doing," he said.

And 15-year-old Megan Liddy said shooting sports and hunting have helped boost her confidence.

"I haven't always been good at school and I haven't always been good at sports," the Wheaton Warrenville South High School student said. "But I have always been good at shooting and I have always been able to beat people at it."

Dimoulis argued that increased gun-control measures will only make it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to obtain firearms. At the same time, criminals will find a way to arm themselves.

"The government fails to realize that they cannot legislate morality," Dimoulis said. "If a person is immoral, no law will make that person do what is right."

Forum: Teens get big response from crowd