CHICAGO, July 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The
following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle
Association (ISRA):
Imagine the horror of watching one of your fellow commuters
hacked to death.
Imagine the terror in wondering if you might be next.
Imagine the frustration of knowing that's there's nothing you can
do about it.
Every day, hundreds of thousands of Illinois commuters head out for work knowing
full well they face brutalization with very little recourse.
That's because the Illinois General Assembly decided that
self-defense is needed least where is it needed most – public
transportation. The outcome is predictable. Hardly a
week goes by when chilling stories of murder and mayhem on trains
and buses aren't splashed across the headlines.
Unfortunately, last week was no different.
"The recent stabbing death of a young woman on a CTA train and
this week's stabbing of a good Samaritan on a CTA bus should serve
as a grim wake-up call to opponents of concealed carry on public
transportation," said ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson. "They say they don't want
to ride with armed people. Well, guess what? They
already are. Knives, bats, razors and Tasers are all along
for the ride whenever you hop on the 'L' or the METRA or a CTA
bus. Trouble is, they're being carried by criminals who prey
on the defenseless."
"Once the doors to the bus or train slam shut, you're locked
into a bullring from which there is no exit," continued
Pearson. "There's no way out, no authority, no rule of
law. As you hurtle across the urban landscape, you're left
with nothing but the fervent hope that today is not the day that
some miscreant decides to raise havoc during your commute.
Not a very comforting situation to be in. But sadly, it's the
reality that millions of law-abiding transit riders must
unjustifiably face every week."
"Since its passage in Illinois,
concealed carry has proven itself to be a safe, reliable and
comforting means of self-defense for the good citizens of
Illinois," said Pearson.
"Every day, many thousands of Illinoisans go about their daily
business fully assured that their concealed defensive firearm will
provide them with at least a fighting chance if attacked by a
murderer, robber or rapist. Unfortunately, the General
Assembly chose not to extend the right of self-defense to what is
arguably the riskiest environment that many citizens will ever face
– public transportation."
"The ISRA has been working hard, and will continue to work hard
to bring concealed carry to where it's needed most," concluded
Pearson. "Top among those places is the public transit
system. No longer should our good citizens sit quietly in
their seats hoping hope upon hope that it is some other passenger's
unlucky day."
The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and
responsible firearms ownership. For more than a century, the
ISRA has represented the interests of millions of law-abiding
Illinois firearm owners.
WEB SITE: http://www.isra.org
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visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/illinois-state-rifle-association-it-is-time-to-permit-concealed-carry-on-public-transportation-300293148.html
SOURCE Illinois State Rifle Association