News: Blagojevich Ally Calls for House to House Gun Searches

CHICAGO, July 17 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was released today by the ISRA Political Victory Fund (ISRA-PVF):

The ISRA-PVF is asking Governor Blagojevich to explain why one of his political allies is calling for house-to-house searches to locate and confiscate legally-owned firearms.

Earlier this month, Cook County Board member Joseph Moreno stood before the county board and called for "...house to house searches to pull every gun out of Cook County." Moreno's statement comes within days of Blagojevich claiming that anyone in Chicago who owns a gun is a "gang banger" and is "...up to no good."

"I think the timing of the Blagojevich and Moreno remarks is more than just coincidence," commented ISRA-PVF spokesman, Richard Pearson. "During the July 6th dedication of the Sparta shooting complex, Blagojevich didn't mince any words when he essentially declared that any gun-owner north of I-80 is a criminal. Then, days later, a powerful member of the Cook County Board calls for police sweeps against the homes of lawful gun owners. These statements didn't happen by accident -- the intent is clear."

"Normally, the Blagojevich and Moreno statements would be laughable," continued Pearson. "However, Blagojevich has the potential means for authorizing police raids on gun-owning homes. House Bill 2414 remains alive in a House committee awaiting a call for a vote. If passed into law, HB2414 would result in the banning and forced confiscation of millions of lawfully-acquired firearms from law-abiding Illinois citizens. The raids would be aided by a database of firearm owners being maintained illegally by the Illinois State Police."

"Blagojevich is fond of saying that gun owners have nothing to fear from him," said Pearson. "If vilification of gun owners and wild-eyed calls for house to house gun searches aren't reasons to fear this administration, then I don't know what are. It's time for the governor to address the gun owners of this state and tell us why we should trust him."

Contact: Richard Pearson of ISRA Political Victory Fund, 815-635-3166

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The ISRA-PVF is a political action committee affiliated with the Illinois State Rifle Association. A copy of its report is available for a fee from the Illinois state board of elections.
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