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* Sneed…
Sneed has learned State Rep. Dan Burke will pay homage to the memory of slain CPD Commander Paul Bauer Tuesday by introducing a major piece of gun legislation named after him.
The Commander Paul Bauer Act, originally introduced in 2017 as House Bill 1469 — a piece of legislation with no substantive language — will include Burke’s amendment banning the sale of body armor and high capacity gun magazines to anyone other than police officers, licensed security guards and members of the armed forces.
Sneed is also told the Bauer Act will have behind it the full weight of powerful House Speaker Mike Madigan. […]
Ald. Ed Burke, the state lawmaker’s brother, said the bill “would be the first time that the legislature in Illinois been able to resist the forces of the NRA opposing any kind of reasonable gun control legislation.”
Illinois already has a law on the books making it a crime to unlawfully use body armor…
Unlawful use of body armor. A person commits the offense of unlawful use of body armor when he knowingly wears body armor and is in possession of a dangerous weapon, other than a firearm, in the commission or attempted commission of any offense.
The new proposal…
A person commits unlawful use of body armor when he or she knowingly sells, transfers, purchases, possesses, or wears body armor.
Full disclosure: I purchased some body armor before going to Iraq. I think I got rid of it, but I suppose I’d better check around my house and garage just to make sure.
* Tribune…
Declaring that America is in the midst of a gun violence crisis, Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Monday urged state lawmakers and Gov. Bruce Rauner to approve a series of gun control bills and called on the public to hold officials’ feet to the fire this week and in the upcoming elections.
Lawmakers could consider a group of bills on Wednesday that would require gun dealers to be licensed, raise penalties for the illegal use of body armor, address waiting periods for gun purchases, and ban “military-style” assault weapons high-capacity magazines and “bump stocks,” Emanuel and Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said.
Johnson said he will travel to Springfield on Tuesday to testify in favor of the efforts, and Emanuel said he would be working the phones. The mayor on Monday repeatedly called on the public to get engaged in the maneuvering in Springfield and contended that a vote against the gun control bills was a vote against police officers.
“Watch this vote, and if the legislators do not back up the public safety, do not back up the police officers — in the primary and in this general election, you must hold them accountable,” Emanuel said, pounding a podium as he addressed Chicago’s latest class of police recruits. “Trust me, if they think they can get away without having any political pressure, they’re going to do the bare minimum rather than what is the appropriate thing. This is not about their political safety, this is about our public safety. And don’t let them get away with doing the bare minimum to take the issue off the table.”
* ABC 7…
But the bill that bears Bauer’s name is just one piece of a broad gun control bill that will go before state legislators this week.
“The Gun Dealer licensing Bill, which will allow us to encourage better business practices among gun dealers as well as holding corrupt dealers accountable. It will also require background checks for dealers and their employees, training to prevent straw purchasing, and enforce proper dealer security measures,” Emanuel said.
As the national conversation about gun control has taken on a renewed urgency over the past few weeks, advocates are now hoping their proposal will get a better chance at becoming law.
“We’re seeing more energy from young people than we’ve ever seen before, saying enough is enough,” said Colleen Daly of the Illinois Council on Handgun Violence.
The bill also includes a waiting period for buying assault weapons, and a ban on bump stocks.
* Speaking of guns, Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios has a TV ad bashing his Democratic primary opponent Fritz Kaegi on the issue.
“To stop the NRA, follow the money,” the ad begins, claiming that Kaegi “invested heavily in this NRA donor’s company.” Kaegi “got rich and the NRA got millions to spend blocking gun control.”
*** UPDATE *** The campaign sent me a better copy…
Now that I can actually see it, the “NRA donor” in the TV ad is Clayton Williams, who made a reported $1.35 billion last year when he sold his company.
An interesting background piece on Williams and the NRA is here.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 9:37 am
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Shouldn’t any legislation referring to Commander Bauer include, at a minimum, much stronger sentencing and higher bail requirements for gun offenders? For example, if you use a gun in a crime, no bail until trial and no “good time” in prison, offenders must serve 100% of their sentence.
I mean, isn’t that what he advocated for?
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 9:45 am
Oh goodness. That Berrios ad may the creepiest sounding thing I’ve ever heard. It is so bad on so many levels and so off-subject for an Assessor race that it is not even possible to rate it.
Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 9:46 am
I get the focus on high capacity magazines, but
“A person commits unlawful use of body armor when he or she knowingly sells, transfers, purchases, possesses, or wears body armor.”
It just seems kind of counter intuitive to me to ban a completely defensive item such as body armor.
If somebody lives in a high crime area and wants to walk around with a kevlar vest on for their own protection, wouldn’t that be preferable to the gun control crowd than having that person buy a gun for defense?
You can’t cause anyone any harm with body armor. I understand the idea that it makes it harder for police to dispatch criminals with armor. But at the same time, especially in light of the recent awareness of police brutality, do we want to loudly call for a law that would make it easier for police to shoot people?
Comment by m Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 9:50 am
@Responsa:
I second the motion. It is bad and so far disconnected from property assessments that I cannot think how Team Berrios thought that this would be helpful.
Comment by Practical Politics Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 9:51 am
I guess we can’t count on Kaegi to outlaw firearms in his position of property tax assessor. Thank god for Berrios, staunch defender of things totally unrelated to his job.
Comment by PJ Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 9:52 am
Perhaps Rauner and ISP should take this opportunity to push for the resources to enforce the current law on revoked FOID cards.
Rauner said just yesterday that the state needs to keep guns from felons and the mentally ill. Enforcing the law on the books would be a baby first step. Thousands have lost their rights to legally possess guns after due process of law, but there’s no follow up.
Maybe Rauner should put Looch on the case. He’s the alleged “policy guy” who’s ghosting on the ISP payroll. Would be a perfect fit.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 9:53 am
Rahm Emanuel’s quote about “backing up police officers…” is ironic. I cannot recall a Chicago mayor who has had a worse relationship with the police department and has been continuously criticized for mismanaging the CPD and throwing cops under the bus whenever possible.
Comment by Practical Politics Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 9:55 am
If these gun control bills end up on the Governor’s desk, he would face a dilemma: Sign bills popular with the public, or side with the NRA/ISRA and veto them. If he opts for the former, he would alienate the part of the GOP base for whom guns is the single most important issue.
Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 9:58 am
So Kaegi managed funds which invested in a company which donated to the NRA?
Wow Bkerrios is scraping the bottom of the barrel with this one.
Comment by walker Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 10:08 am
Commander Bauer would not request or want legislation on this matter.
His legacy should be about repeat offenders and keeping them locked up so no other Police Officer is killed or disabled in the future. Below is what Commander Bauer wanted all along and was in a article about his interest. Commander Bauer does not mention anyhing about extended clips or body armor. He wants gun offenders locked up and in custody. Not on streets. Extended clips and body armor did not kill Bauer. A repeat offender killed Commander Bauer. The police union should speak up for what the killed police officer wanted. Commande Bauer has family on the job. Laws should be enforced and tough on repeat gun offenders so Commander Bauers relatives are not killed on the job and victims of the same thing. It takes 1 bullet and a gun in the hands of a convicted gun offender roaming the streets to kill. Body Armor and A extended clip alone did not kill this fine officer. The FOP should demand the Commander gets his true wishes not this dog and pony.
After ascending the department ranks, Bauer in 2016 assumed leadership of the Near North District, just north of where he was shot. In that role, he publicly vented frustration about the difficulty of clearing repeat offenders from the street — a common refrain among Chicago police and political officials who confront a stubborn violent crime rate driven in part by recidivism.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 10:11 am
–Commander Bauer would not request or want legislation on this matter.–
We all speak for ourselves and no one else. Pretending that you speak for a cop who was killed does not add credibility to your position, it just reveals your vulgarity.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 10:14 am
And the extinction of the Downstate Democrat continues. These pass it’s over. 3 seats lost in a year where increases should occur.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 10:23 am
Is Berrios even capable of running a positive ad?
Comment by Just Me Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 10:26 am
I saw the Berrios ad today. I am sooooo glad my Assessor is no NRA stooge!
That really is as dumb as it sounds.
Comment by Terry Salad Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 10:28 am
-We all speak for ourselves and no one else. Pretending that you speak for a cop who was killed does not add credibility to your position, it just reveals your vulgarity.-
Aren’t the author’s of the bill named for Commander Bauer also pretending to speak for a cop that was killed?
Comment by TheGoodLieutenant Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 10:31 am
TheGoodlieutenant - well said…
Comment by Saluki Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 10:40 am
–Aren’t the author’s of the bill named for Commander Bauer also pretending to speak for a cop that was killed?–
Yes. That wasn’t clear? How could I have simplified it for you?
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 10:44 am
Several good points made already, that I’d like to second. The career criminal that shot and killed Commander Bauer already had 4 felony convictions, he should not have been on the streets. We need to enforce the laws on the books. The introduction of the body armor and high capacity magazine will do nothing to keep guns/high capactiy magazines off the streets. A four time felon should already not have been in possession of either.
And yes, the downstate Dems are done.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 10:45 am
TheGoodLieutenant: Very well said.
From everything I’ve read about Commander Bauer, 47th ward and anonymous 10:11 are correct. From what I read about his outspoken frustration was in the system not keeping offenders locked up. He may have; but I don’t remember reading anything about him advocating against body armor or high capacity magazines. It is about getting and keeping offenders off the streets.
Comment by logic not emotion Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 10:52 am
Dems are receding downstate, while the GOP has been receding in the suburbs. North and northwest Cook County, for instance, used to be a GOP bastion. Now they’re lucky if they can hang on to the Harris seat (Go Walker!). DuPage used to be solid GOP. Not any more.
Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 10:54 am
Maybe I’m the underachiever here, but what is the issue with body armor? I can perhaps understand that we don’t want a shooter wearing it, but there are some perfectly legitimate uses for it. There’s a company, for example, that makes kevlar backpacks for, among other things, the protection of children and teenagers at school. Would wearing such a backpack make me or my child in violation of this law?
Absent some compelling argument, I don’t see a reason to make it a crime to simply possess or wear body armor.
Comment by Name Withheld Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 11:16 am
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 10:44 am:
Yes. That wasn’t clear? How could I have simplified it for you?
So, your comment was directed at the vulgarity of State Rep. Dan Burke?
Comment by Birdseed Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 11:18 am
–So, your comment was directed at the vulgarity of State Rep. Dan Burke?–
Read it again for comprehension. “We all speak for ourselves and no one else.” I can’t dumb that one down for you.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 11:23 am
Is it finally time to focus on gun offenders? Since it is too expensive to put criminals in prison for long sentences to be fully served, politicians pass more feel-good laws that criminals just disregard. Heroin is a perfect example 100% outlawed and it’s easy to get and no waiting period. More laws that’s what we need.
Comment by jimk849 Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 11:24 am
=== - wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 11:23 am:
Read it again for comprehension. “We all speak for ourselves and no one else.” I can’t dumb that one down for you. ===
Read my question again for comprehension. It’s a simple question. I can’t dumb that question down for you any further.
Comment by Birdseed Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 11:34 am
–So, your comment was directed at the vulgarity of State Rep. Dan Burke?–
Burke, the original commenter and all those who claim to speak for others, especially those who can’t speak for themselves.
That’s been a thing of mine for many years, as many here could attest.
If you still need some guidance, perhaps your JuCo has some remedial courses.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 11:38 am
Speaking just for myself, I would like them to leave body armor out of the bill. There is a growing market for bulletproof clothing. Some $475 million per year. That will grow as the cost of synthetic spider silk and other materials drops. That money is not being spent by school shooters. Are we going to be checking travelers at O’Hare?
Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 12:07 pm
Am I understanding this correctly that a person in a dangerous neighborhood (or work area) could not have any bullet proof attire to protect him/herself?
Comment by titan Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 12:11 pm
The ban on body armor seems short sighted. It should be easier to buy body armor than a gun, not the other way around.
And I am sure that non-law enforcement people, like the President wear body armor.
Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 12:16 pm
This legislation places more burden on cops and others to be victim of a repeat gun offender roaming downtown streets. The burden should be on the Mayor and Supt to get true legislation which the Police Commander spoke publicly about. This is not what Commander Bauer would want. Vest and clips will not save the next police officer or any other person from being killed. I though the police had a Union which kept polticians honest.
What a waste of time. Prayers to the Bauer Family. Sad that Dan Burke is also being used.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 12:25 pm
I’m so happy that the Majority Party sat down with the Minority Party and developed a violence prevention package that surely will pass with bi-partisan support and easily become law. I can’t imagine why it has taken this long and finally getting these important votes this week finally.
Comment by Just Me Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 12:31 pm
I’m glad these bills are being proposed. Consistent with the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America and “The Well Regulated Militia”.
Comment by Mike Cirrincione Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 1:00 pm
47th. All comments after yours pale. You are spot on.
Comment by blue dog dem Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 1:02 pm
In step with the 2018 #metoo movement the next ad could be: Kaegi invested in a company that the owner said some victims of rape should “relax and enjoy it”.
http://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/26/us/texas-candidate-s-comment-about-rape-causes-a-furor.html
Comment by lostintranslation Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 2:06 pm
Most of the above proposals make sense, I suppose. BUT, what is being done about securing our kids schools ??? I see nothing…..
Comment by JDuc Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 4:00 pm
So now body armor hurts people
Comment by California Guy Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 4:08 pm
Nearly 4,000 people a year are killed on our roads each year due to cell phone use. There are laws on the books making this an illegal practice in most states. Still it hapoens. Laws dont change much unless they are enforced. Not saying we shouldnt try, but I dont get to excited about a ban on body armor.
Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 4:26 pm
Have any congressional candidates weighed in on this?
Comment by Rugbyaunt Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 5:26 pm
I think all Illinois police should march to Springfield to keep firearms out of the wrong hands. And continue are right to the 2nd Amendment .
Comment by No Sense Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 8:26 pm
Would I Have to dispose of my body armor from Iraq that I kept because of the AK47 round lodged in the chest plate? That is my reminder of a lucky day.
Comment by FormerParatrooper Wednesday, Feb 28, 18 @ 7:59 am
FP. Keep it. Register it with the local police as a non-working war souvenir. The bullet has compromised its integrity.
If they come to take it, ask for the $500,000 the government did not have to pay your family because it kept you alive. They owe you something under the takings clause. Let a jury set the value.
Thanks for your service.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Feb 28, 18 @ 9:18 am
Perhaps GA Republicans would like to propose some of Pres. Trumps ideas?
–“I think they should have taken them away, whether they had the right or not,” Trump said. He added later, in case there was any doubt: “Take the guns first, go through due process second.”–
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2018/02/28/trumps-gun-meeting-went-way-off-the-rails-quickly/?utm_term=.71cde64017f5
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 28, 18 @ 7:20 pm