... In the 2009  school year, by mid March, already more than 11 Chicago Public School students have been killed by gun violence, since Labor Day. Our children are dying and guns are creating an atmosphere where no one is safe. No one is trying to take away guns. For God’s sake, lets regulate them!

“What is the Issue About Guns?”

There is a great amount of confusion regarding the issue of gun legislation. The National Rifle Association and Illinois National Rifle Association like to paint the picture with a very broad and untrue brush. They say Rev. Michael L. Pfleger, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Mayor Richard M. Daley and others are trying to take your second amendment rights away and the N.R.A. is trying to protect them! This is an outright lie!

The Supreme Court in its recent decision made it clear, individuals have a right to bear arms. Like it or not, that was their interpretation. All we are saying is fine, but let us regulate the sale of guns and stop the flow of guns. We have asked for “common sense” gun laws. One gun per month, reinstate the assault weapon ban, require universal background checks and make crime data public. These are not complicated, just common sense!

I have said, lets regulate guns like we do cars. Right from the manufacturers, every car has a title that must be transferred from owner to owner. Why can’t we do the same with guns? The N.R.A. response is criminals will always get guns. No, not if we regulate them right from the manufacturer.

Many downstate legislators say their constituents do not want any gun legislation. I do not believe this is true, but is being used to hide behind the lucrative campaign donations of the N.R.A. and the threats by them to run someone against them if they support any gun legislation. Every time we question downstate individuals, they overwhelming support regulating the flow of guns. Others say, well, if we do so in Illinois, they will just come from out of state. There are many laws that we have begun in Illinois just because they’re right, and some have become national models for other states to follow. Why not lead the country?

Thirty-Thousand a year are killed from firearms. Fifty-five percent of the national firearm deaths in 2005, were from suicide by firearms. Statistics tell us, guns in a home are more likely to harm than protect. Every year we hear of more and more injuries and deaths by children playing with a gun in the home.

Last year over three-hundred students were shot by a gun. That is the size of a school. This school year, already eight Chicago Public School students have been killed by gun violence, since Labor Day.

Our children are dying and guns are creating an atmosphere where no one is safe. No one is trying to take away guns. For God’s sake, lets regulate them!

Statement by: 
Rev. Michael L. Pfleger, Pastor
Faith Community of Saint Sabina
1210 West 78th Place
Chicago, Illinois 60620
773-483-4300