Of course, the Illinois Safe Gun Storage Act, now law, would get a near hysterical push back from Republicans. This common sense law would require gun owners to keep their weapons secured and inaccessible to minors, people at risk of harming themselves or others, and people prohibited from possessing firearms.

The County Board’s performative Resolution to oppose this law was passed, with perfect fealty to the NRA, and was designed to demonstrate to the Board’s constituents a willingness to fight Governor Pritzker, and those citified democrats, on anything they attempt to do for the public good.

A reminder to those fetished followers of the 2nd Amendment, freedom is not free. Freedom requires responsibility and this means the requirement to consider the effects of your freedom on others. One person’s freedom is another person’s unfreedom.

Consider that firearms are the leading cause of death for children in the US and are the weapons used most often in domestic violence against women. Also, there are more gun deaths per capita in rural areas than in urban areas. Firearm deaths cost an average taxpayer nearly $2000 annually.

If you remain fearful of intruders after securing your gun, get a dog. The money saved will pay for its upkeep.

Steve Miller

Nauvoo