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| Gun Ruling Smacks Of Chicago-Style Political Cronyism, Says ISRA U.S. Newswire 1 Jan 14:52 Gun Ruling Smacks Of Chicago-Style Political Cronyism, Says ISRA CHICAGO, Jan. 1 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA): The closing day of 2001 was political pay back day for the First
District of the Illinois Appellate Court. As the nation focused on a
brighter and happier 2002, an appellate court panel handed Chicago mayor
Richard Daley a sweetheart New Year's gift by ruling that it is
reasonable to assume that firearm The ruling, written by Appellate Judge William Cousins, Jr., came in relation to a civil suit brought against firearm manufacturers by the family of a Chicago police officer killed in the line of duty. The firearm used to kill the officer was purchased in full compliance with federal and state gun laws, but was later transferred illegally to the gang member who shot the officer. Nonetheless, the plaintiffs assert that the murder weapon's manufacturer willfully placed the gun into commerce, knowing that a gangbanger would ultimately use it to kill their son. The lawsuit, which is bankrolled by a major gun control organization, is designed to accomplish what Mayor Daley has been unsuccessful at doing in the state legislature. That is, the imposition of gun control policies that would make it impossible for law-abiding American citizens to own and use firearms. Daley, who is fond of saying that if it were up to him nobody would own guns, currently has a parallel lawsuit on appeal before the First District Appellate Court. It is widely believed that Judge Cousins' decision will be used to jump-start Daley's stalled attempt to ban civilian firearm ownership. Those familiar with Chicago politics know that Mayor Daley is at the wheel of the political machine that paved the way for Cousins' election to the Appellate Court. "Judge Cousins is obviously blinded by his political allegiance to Mayor Daley," commented ISRA president Richard Pearson. "If we extend Judge Cousins' logic to other lawful products, we see just how cockeyed his ruling is. For example, manufacturers of hypodermic syringes must know that their products will be used to inject illegal drugs. Marketers of prepaid phone cards must know that their products will be used by cheating husbands to make untraceable calls to their girlfriends. And how about companies like Sony and Nikon? Certainly they must know that their digital cameras greatly facilitate the burgeoning kiddie-porn trade. Should they all be hauled into court for creating a public nuisance? Would Judge Cousins rule that it reasonable to do so? I guess that answer would depend on who else makes Daley itchy." "We're confident that the continuing appeals process will
separate political opportunism from the rule of law," said Pearson. The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. For nearly a century, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners. http://www.usnewswire.com 01/01 14:55 Copyright 2002, U.S. Newswire
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