Yesterday was the six -month anniversary of the Fourth of July shooting and I had a really hard time in the morning as we got to 10:14. And I remember where I was standing, about to start the parade, and my wife and my two children were right behind me. And my staffer was standing in front of me and yelled, ‘Gunshots! Gunshots!’
And I reached back to make sure my children were safe.
When I got to the scene, I saw those who’ve been shot, carried away a two-year-old who was covered in blood because both of her parents had been shot.
And this is not a unique situation. And I left that day thinking I will do whatever I can, whatever is in my power to make sure none of us none of you, none of your communities go through what we went through.
And yet I failed. Because within three days of the Fourth of July shooting, there were more gun deaths throughout the state of Illinois than that day on the Fourth of July in Highland Park. So I failed. And I literally have been carrying that on my shoulders to this moment as we stand here right now.
So, I really want to say thank you. I know this is a complicated issue that affects a lot of communities in a lot of ways. A lot of you have directly been impacted by gun violence, mass shootings, death by suicide, individual gun violence. And you have created this legislation by sharing your stories with me, with us in this chamber. So I want to thank you all and I urge and aye vote.
I know people who were at the parade and who carry the sounds with them, luckily far enough away from the worst things seen. Thank you Rep. Morgan for putting such good action into this work. If you did not visit the site to see where it all happened, of the thousands terrified, and of the dozens wounded, and of those killed, let me tell you it is very sobering. Action so welcome.
We didn’t make it a day without this continuing to prove true locally.
The Maarion Star on FB:
“UPDATED 10:13AM: Police are entering a wooded area off Cardinal Road, west of Carterville, in search of the suspect in a confirmed shooting this morning.
The shooting took place in the area of Integrated Health and Dollar General near the east entrance to John A Logan College in Carterville.”
I have spent more than twenty years playing a game called -gunshots or fireworks-. I have had my car shot through, (fortunately it was empty at the time) and seen young men murdered on my block. No one should live like this. I thank Rep. Morgan for his leadership.
I get very angry when opponents of common sense gun legislation claim that Democrats do things like this out of some bizarre desire to control people. We do it out of profound desire to save lives and stop the insanity that is unique to our country.
The NRA has killed more Americans than most diseases and the blood on their hands at the behest of the gun manufacturing industry will continue practically endlessly. Thank you Bob for trying to do something meaningful.
We will, unfortunately, always be the nation of the gun.
We used guns to conquer the continent, exterminate most of the natives and shove the rest into wasteland reservations, enslave Africans, and subjugate minorities.
Would be nice if we could at least moderate the insanity a bit.
In jest, but how about:
- Adults can have bolt action rifles, double barrel shotguns, and revolvers (including concealed carry).
- Those who want semi-automatics have to enlist in and qualify regularly in a state militia.
=Police are entering a wooded area off Cardinal Road, west of Carterville=
As an update, the Sheriff has announced she did not make it. Two kids today are coming home from school orphans because their father had access to a firearm.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 12:32 pm:
The Carterville guy killed himself after killing his wife. This happens way too often.
But it seems you never hear of the wife killing the husband and then herself.
- Amalia - Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 10:09 am:
I know people who were at the parade and who carry the sounds with them, luckily far enough away from the worst things seen. Thank you Rep. Morgan for putting such good action into this work. If you did not visit the site to see where it all happened, of the thousands terrified, and of the dozens wounded, and of those killed, let me tell you it is very sobering. Action so welcome.
- Shibboleth - Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 10:16 am:
We didn’t make it a day without this continuing to prove true locally.
The Maarion Star on FB:
“UPDATED 10:13AM: Police are entering a wooded area off Cardinal Road, west of Carterville, in search of the suspect in a confirmed shooting this morning.
The shooting took place in the area of Integrated Health and Dollar General near the east entrance to John A Logan College in Carterville.”
- Shibboleth - Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 10:17 am:
That comment was meant to refer to;
=I know this is a complicated issue that affects a lot of communities in a lot of ways.=
Apologies for the error.
- West Sider - Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 10:23 am:
I have spent more than twenty years playing a game called -gunshots or fireworks-. I have had my car shot through, (fortunately it was empty at the time) and seen young men murdered on my block. No one should live like this. I thank Rep. Morgan for his leadership.
- New Day - Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 10:45 am:
I get very angry when opponents of common sense gun legislation claim that Democrats do things like this out of some bizarre desire to control people. We do it out of profound desire to save lives and stop the insanity that is unique to our country.
The NRA has killed more Americans than most diseases and the blood on their hands at the behest of the gun manufacturing industry will continue practically endlessly. Thank you Bob for trying to do something meaningful.
- SpringfieldMH - Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 11:17 am:
We will, unfortunately, always be the nation of the gun.
We used guns to conquer the continent, exterminate most of the natives and shove the rest into wasteland reservations, enslave Africans, and subjugate minorities.
Would be nice if we could at least moderate the insanity a bit.
In jest, but how about:
- Adults can have bolt action rifles, double barrel shotguns, and revolvers (including concealed carry).
- Those who want semi-automatics have to enlist in and qualify regularly in a state militia.
One can dream.
- Shibboleth - Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 11:48 am:
=Police are entering a wooded area off Cardinal Road, west of Carterville=
As an update, the Sheriff has announced she did not make it. Two kids today are coming home from school orphans because their father had access to a firearm.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 12:32 pm:
The Carterville guy killed himself after killing his wife. This happens way too often.
But it seems you never hear of the wife killing the husband and then herself.
- Lincoln Lad - Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 12:48 pm:
Thank you Bob for all your efforts. It’s a step, one of many needed, but it’s a step.
- JS Mill - Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 12:57 pm:
Funny how some of our gun advocates didn’t care to comment here.
Morgan is thoughtful and compelling.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 1:14 pm:
===Funny how some of our gun advocates didn’t care to comment here.
Morgan is thoughtful and compelling.===
The reality isn’t about winning hearts or minds, they tell you they have the constitution and the law, feelings and humanity are secondary.
“See you in court” isn’t an empathetic or sympathetic response.
- Dotnonymous - Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 2:54 pm:
Rep. Morgan has a lot of guts…that’s something I like that about him.
- wow now - Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 3:32 pm:
Great job Bob, thank you.
Thank you to every House Member who voted for this, shame on those who wanted to but were afraid.
- Shytown - Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 3:57 pm:
Bob is a class act
- Dirty Red - Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 4:34 pm:
Good speech.