The recent shooting in Highland Park, Illinois has proved one thing – gun control laws don’t work.
In addition to an “assault weapons” ban, Highland Park, like all of Illinois, has a red flag law, a 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases, and would-be gun buyers must first obtain a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card from the state.
Even with all of that, the restrictive measures failed to stop the July 4th attack and the city’s Democrat Mayor Nancy Rotering resorted to blaming “gun culture” for the attack.
Rotering appeared on NBC’s Today Show and host Hoda Kolb noted, “In 2013, you signed an ‘assault weapons’ ban that was in place and is in place.”
Kolb and Rotering then discussed the gun used in the July 4 parade shooting, with Rotering saying “it was legally obtained.”
Rotering called for a new look at laws surrounding “legally obtained guns.”
She added, “we came together as a community to celebrate independence and freedom after two years of not having a parade. We were ready to come together as a community to celebrate our nation and, in fact, as a result, because of this gun culture, our nation turned its back on us and turned its back on our celebration.”
As the conversation moved to the individual police took into custody following the attack, Rotering suggested someone “had a mental breakdown.”
She then quickly pivoted to say, “But I don’t want to even ascribe it to mental health. I want us to talk about the fact that there are weapons of war on our streets that people can legally obtain…then take out dozens of people.”
In another demonstration of the gun control system failing, the suspected killer was not only known to law enforcement, but was involved in two previous incidents that might have barred him from obtaining firearms.
The Illinois State Police disclosed that they received a report in September 2019 indicating the now-alleged perpetrator was a “clear and present danger,” related to threats he made against his family.
“There were no arrests made in the September 2019 incident and no one, including family, was willing to move forward on a complaint nor did they subsequently provide information on threats or mental health that would have allowed law enforcement to take additional action,” an ISP press release explained. “Additionally, no Firearms Restraining Order was filed, nor any order of protection.”
Lake County sheriff’s office public information officer Christopher Covelli explained at a press conference that the suspected perpetrator had threatened to “kill everyone.”
In that incident, police collected 16 knives, a dagger, and a sword, but released the items and determined there was no probable cause for arrest.
Still, the clueless Democrats continue to push for gun control as a solution.
After Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart announced the charges against the shooting suspect, he pushed for gun control measures – which already exist in the state.
In addition to praising his state’s red flag law, Rinehart called for an “assault weapons” ban, the same ban which was passed in 2013.
Well if you don’t want to blame the root cause, MENTAL ILLNESS, then the blame solely falls upon the state police, law enforcement. They dropped the ball on this pos.
It’s interesting that anytime someone breaks the law. Everyone and everything is to blame except the individual who broke the law.
We are advised not to judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics. (Terrorists)
We are advised not to judge all Black people base on the actions of a few lunatics (BLM rioter)
We are even required to allow rioters to destroy businesses and attack people without arresting them. And when you are attacked and defend yourself, you are criminalized. (Kyle Rittenhouse). The rioters with guns were not arrested.
We are expected to judge ALL Gun owners based on the actions of a few lunatics. And in fact, expected to obey even more restrictive laws to legally own guns.
What I’m unable to find in the news is anyone that was legally carrying a gun stepping forward and shooting back at the attacker at the parade. Oh, wait… Illinois is already infringing on the rights of free people to defend themselves and others.
Funny thing, these same policy making elected officials are protected by armed security and armed police.
And police are stretched so very thin that when seconds count they are minutes away.
Sounds more like we the people need to ensure more rights are given back to the people at the state and federal level. Take care of ourselves and others if you are willing and able. Don’t if your not. That is freedom.
Cheers, my fellow Americans.