Chicago, IL – On Wednesday, Rabbi Philip Lefkowitz of Agudas Achim, traveled to Springfield with a contingency representing the Chicago Police CAPS program. the mission was to be “on the rail” (solicit support from State Representatives) for House Bill 758-Universal Background Checks.
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The Bill, initiated by State Representative Osterman of Edgewater, is aimed at closing loopholes in the sale of handguns in the State of Illinois. It would require private sale of such weapons to include a background check of the purchaser, Succinctly, all such private sales, would have to be done at a federally licensed gun dealer who would do a background check on the purchaser. At present such sales can be done without any background check.
The Bill is not blazing new trails. It is merely extending a process now used in the sale of guns to the private sales sphere. As you may know, much of the murders in Chicago occurring in turf wars between rival guns involve the use of illegal hand guns. It is hoped that this new law would impact the availability of such weapons thereby bringing down the deaths of teens and in some instances, pre-teens, killed by the use of these deadly weapons,
Rabbi Lefkowitz told VIN News “I was prompted to go because the issue resonates with me. Additionally, such a shooting occurred literally in front of my home a few months ago. said Rabbi Lefkowitz “It was on a Shabos night about 11 PM when I heard the obvious sound of gunfire. Shortly thereafter I heard someone scream, “ Please call for an ambulance, someone has been shot.” I subsequently learned from our police commander that a rival gang member shot a young man in his early teens. He sustained severe wounds, but, thank G-d, was not killed.”
TO CHARLIE HALL:
If I am being attacked, I would much rather have immediate access to a .357 than to a 911. By the time the police get there, all they can generally do is pick up the pieces! Washington, DC has completely banned guns for 30 years and they are the murder capitol of the country.
Anonymous 4:41pm:
I just looked up the crime statistics for Florida and Illinois. As of 2006, the last year for which statistics were available, they have very similar rates of murder, rape, and robbery, but Florida has much higher rates of assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft. New York, famous for its anti-gun laws, is significantly lower than either state for everything except rape. The picture is more complex than you think.
A contingency is a plan: Rabbi Lefkowitz, however, would be traveling with a CONTINGENT. Chag Sameach.
Chicago and the state of Illinois have some of the toughest anti-gun laws in the country. “Ess helft of toiten bankes”! The good Rabbi would be more helpful if he would work to make Illinois a “right to carry concealed firearms” state, like Florida. When the law went into effect there, the violent crime rate fell and has stayed down in the ensuing years. Criminals now know that the potential victim they are after may well be packing some suprises. Since most criminals are cowards at heart (which is why they mostly attack women and elderly people), they have moved on to safer pastures (like Chicago!?). The Florida experience has been duplicated in every state that adopted “right to carry” laws. Think about it, Rabbi Lefkowitz. As the saying goes, when you find yourself in a deep hole, stop digging!