ISRA Calls Upon Congressman Bob Dold To Say 'Thanks, But No Thanks' To Award From Extremist Group

News provided by

Oct 04, 2012, 12:06 ET

CHICAGO, Oct. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA):

The ISRA is urging Congressman Bob Dold (R-10) to decline an award bestowed upon him by a Chicago-based gun ban group. That award, given by the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence (ICHV), designates Dold as legislative advocate of the year. The ICHV is widely known for its extremist views opposing self defense, hunting and private firearm ownership.

"The ICHV's extremist views are out of step with the majority of Americans – including those living in the 10^th Congressional District," said ISRA Executive Director, Richard Pearson. Under the guise of violence control, the ICHV has advocated legislation that would severely curtail the rights of lawful firearm owners, hunters and sportsmen. As a matter of policy, the ICHV has nothing but contempt for people who own firearms. Thus, the organization's primary goal is not necessarily to control violent crime, but to inflict punishment on citizens who choose to exercise the right to own firearms. Congressman Dold is definitely sending the wrong message by accepting an award from a group that has great disdain for such a large segment of the U.S. population. Bob Dold should reject the ICHV award as a symbol of his desire to bring Americans together – not drive us apart."

The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. For more than a century, the ISRA has protected the interests of millions of lawful Illinois firearm owners.

http://www.isra.org

SOURCE Illinois State Rifle Association