Why should we talk about guns?

Tuesday, January 29th, 2013 10:00 PM

Sound familiar? Ken Trainor used it last week as the headline of his column [Why we should talk about guns, Viewpoints, Jan. 16]. He and I had breakfast recently. I am 77 and have supported (not blindly supported) the Second Amendment to our federal Constitution for most of my life. Ken is about 60 and doesn't really say directly how he thinks and feels about the Second Amendment.

More importantly, he does agree: let's get 10-12 critical thinking Oak Park citizens together in an ad hoc committee and see if they can, to quote Ken, "… engage in some in-depth discussion from a variety of angles, followed by recommendations for the village board and staff to consider." Almost sounds like the old "12 good men and true" phrase to describe a jury. Not quite accurate for a few reasons:

1) Ken and I hope several critical-thinking women (maybe a majority) will be stalwart members of this group. Also, varying ages from the "age of reason" (teenagers) to me and older — and perhaps, not 10 or 12 but nine or 14 participants.

We both agree that mutual respect, a sense of humor and the dedicated seeking of truth must be how the committee handles itself. Easy? No. Rewarding? Yes. History making? Hopefully.

Ken said last week and I strongly endorse: "The outcome I'm hoping for is a set of clear, reasonable, enforceable rules/ordinance on gun control measures that protect public safety and can stand up in court should they be challenged."

This is a complicated issue — protect all of us as "the public" while protecting "individual citizens' rights." The state has been charged by the 7th Federal Circuit Court to create a statute in not over 180 days (starting about six weeks ago) that extends to Illinois citizens the basic right to conceal and carry handguns as is now the law in all the other 49 states.

Lisa Madigan, the state's Attorney General, has vowed to fight this 7th Circuit decision to somehow prevent its being implemented in Illinois. Remember, the citizens of 49 states say concealed-carry is a very good idea. Are they wrong? Is what Oak Parkers want on this issue more obstruction or creative implementation? Do we really want Lisa Madigan, and our local state politicos to control Oak Park?

Think about it (that's critical thinking!). We have six stalwart citizens who are willing to donate a good bit of their time to this issue. If you can think critically, please call me very soon.

Dave Schweig

708-383-3850 or 708-491-1179 (cell)

Email: cyn42z@comcast.net

Reader Comments

7 Comments - Add Your Comment

Comment Policy

John from Oak Park

Posted: January 31st, 2013 11:31 PM

No, I didn't miss the point. You claim that nay sayers hide, and folks like you stand tall. There are been plenty of people who have put their name on letters to the editor for and against gun control. On the message boards you have the same case on all issues. conservatives and liberals a like hiding their identity.

The dude

Posted: January 31st, 2013 10:14 PM

Ray, I do plenty of anti gun activism. It's silly to assume that just because someone doesn't publicise their name online doesn't do anything.

Ray Simpson from Oak Park

Posted: January 31st, 2013 9:45 AM

@John - you missed my point! The idea of a group committed to finding common ground is a good idea. The idea of putting a range of ideas on the table and then just give one side everything they demand is not acceptable. I understand not broadcasting your name and have been tempted myself, but, by supporting an argument with your name adds some level of accountability. I am not ashamed of my lifelong participation in competitive shooting sports and I am willing to give public support to a bunch of nice, good citizens with whom I have competed.

John from Oak PArk

Posted: January 31st, 2013 9:26 AM

Ray, That couldn't be further from the truth. And you know better than that. Go look at the recent article on abortion. Plenty of "nay sayers" who are choosing to stand against the constitution don't give their name. I have seen you all around this site, and you know better that many times those with conservative views will not display their names...

Ray Simpson from Oak Park

Posted: January 31st, 2013 8:38 AM

@Dude - I assume you will not be volunteering. Has anyone noticed that the nay sayers and flame throwers always hide behind nicknames while many of us who defend the second amendment stand tall, name and all.

The dude

Posted: January 30th, 2013 2:04 AM

Well, I'll tell you what I think about the 2nd; I think it's STUPID! It's been twisted from it's original conception with the help of the NRA, because it's original meaning was meaningless in contemporary society, and changing it's meaning would mean more gun sales, which means more guns violence, which then means even MORE gun sales etc... I think the 2nd should be thrown out like a piece of trash, and all guns should be banned. There are some "freedoms" people shouldn't have.

John from Oak Park

Posted: January 29th, 2013 11:18 PM

Because a state has a law doesn't mean the majority of the citizens think its a good idea. The Supreme Court, from my understanding, has also ruled that States have a right to regulate. Therefore, the question still remains does a State retain its right to regulate, or will the Federal government tell it what to do. Interesting thought for those who yell about "Big Government" and "States rights."

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