By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – At a place where McLean County honors its history, Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner addressed a crowd Wednesday night demanding legislation aiming to end gun violence.
Speaking on the steps of the McLean County Museum of History, Renner said history will not look kindly on people who pit one group against the other.
“I wouldn’t want to be the person saying, ‘Well, I kind of did that for short-term political gain, and it stirred hate, it stirred violence, it created a less safe country, a less safe society,”‘ said the mayor.
“Who in the world could possibly justify something like that,” he added.
The local chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America organized Wednesday night’s rally, featuring thoughts and prayers, but also a call for action following a bloody weekend of mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio that claimed 31 lives.
“We’ve had enough empty rhetoric that’s gone nowhere,” said Renner.
Sarah Breeden leads the legislative effort. One of the goals is passage in Springfield of the Fix the FOID bill intended to close background check loopholes.
“This still needs State Senate approval, and we’re looking at you, Bill Brady and Jason Barickman.”
On the federal level, Central Illinois Congressmen Rodney Davis and Darin LaHood received a chorus of boos when Breeden noted the lawmakers have voted against all Gun Sense legislation, including background checks.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at howard.packowitz@cumulus.com
