Gun advocates say NIU is being used
SPRINGFIELD - Gun advocates accused lawmakers of trying to politically capitalize on the Northern Illinois University shootings by pressing ahead Wednesday with a series of gun restrictions.
"That's what's precipitated all this (gun votes)," said Joel Brunsvold, a former state lawmaker and state Natural Resources director who now lobbies for the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Supporters of the restrictions, which would limit handgun purchases to one a month and ban so-called assault weapons, bristled at the suggestion they were using the tragedy for political gain.
"I'm appalled that anyone would suggest the gun bills are being run today because of the NIU tragedy," said Democratic state Rep. Edward Acevedo, a Chicago police officer.
Others lashed out at Brunsvold for bringing up NIU as a possible political motivation.
"That was a tragedy. But there's other tragedies that go on every day," said state Rep. Harry Osterman, a Chicago Democrat. "Everyone needs to acknowledge there is a gun violence epidemic in our state."
Both proposals were approved. The suburban lawmakers on the panel -- all Republicans -- voted against the restrictions, which now go before the full House.
The proposals are not new. On a nearly annual basis, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley unveils the same set of gun restrictions, which are then sponsored by Chicago-area lawmakers in the House and Senate. The proposals generate great rancor at the Capitol and usually clear initial committee hurdles. However, to date, they've not advanced to the governor's desk to be considered for the law books.
Brunsvold said neither proposal would have prevented the NIU gunman from buying the guns he used.
"Do we take all the cars away because there are some drunks killing people?" Brunsvold told committee members. "If we're going to do something, let's do something that makes a difference."
Brunsvold, once Gov. Rod Blagojevich's pointman on hunting and natural resources, suggested raising the firearm owners identification card price. A card now costs $5 and is good for five years. Brunsvold suggested raising it to $25.
Blagojevich vowed repeatedly during his 2002 campaign not to raise the cost.