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* Appropriate response by the governor to the NRA or not? Make sure to explain your answer…

And 100% of mass public shootings happen with guns.

As Governor, on behalf of the people of Highland Park — leave us the hell alone. https://t.co/biBV75pWxA

— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) July 6, 2022

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:29 pm

Comments

It was a perfect and perfectly appropriate response. The NRA has so much blood on its hands.

Comment by New Day Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:30 pm
It’s perfect. Well done.

Comment by Former State Worker Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:32 pm
Perfect response.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:33 pm
Absolutely appropriate, if anything, too gentle.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:34 pm
Yes it’s appropriate.

The NRA always comes up with a response that at first glance sounds kinda reasonable but after some thinking, misses the point. The Governor didn’t.

Comment by Sir Reel Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:34 pm
The NRA represents gun manufacturers. They only care about selling more guns. The only solution to gun violence is more guns. Rinse, lather, repeat.

The Governor’s response to this stupid tweet is far more restrained than mine would be.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:34 pm
The gist of the NRA’s message has always been, gun laws don’t matter, so let’s have more guns.

Pritzker’s response is absolutely correct.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:37 pm
Highly appropriate, because they are fighting words. And that is what all of us must do - push back quick and aggressively on the rhetoric of the NRA and any politician who supports its nonsense. I am done with anyone who supports the NRA.

Comment by Moved East Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:37 pm
Ab-So-Golden-Lutely appropriate.

Comment by Concerned Observer Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:38 pm
Appropriate. The NRA’s tweet was gloating that the shooting happened in Highland Park.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:38 pm
(Explanation: the NRA had no problem dropping its 4th of July Yay Guns tweet in the middle of a massacre, so gloves are off)

Comment by Concerned Observer Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:40 pm
When *hasn’t* the NRA not been tone deaf.

Appropriate.

Comment by Hello Friend Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:42 pm
Thumbs up. I wish more DC Dems in leadership were as forceful.

Comment by Derek Smalls Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:43 pm
Appropriate.

And refreshing.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:46 pm
As a hunter,gun owner and CCL carrier I agree 100% with this:

=It was a perfect and perfectly appropriate response. The NRA has so much blood on its hands.=

I like the fightin mad JB Pritzker.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:48 pm
He should have gone further.

Comment by Glengarry Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:52 pm
In his role as a Democrat Governor, yes that’s the appropriate message.

It also signals a shift. Pritzker, and the party itself, isn’t so much arguing for more gun free zones or incremental change. They are arguing for a total move away from guns. Reflexively, you have the (R)s saying crazy things because they think they’re losing their guns. That’s the current stage of debate.

Comment by Lakefront Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:53 pm
I would have used far less kind words than he did

Comment by Nick Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:54 pm
Have voted Republican my entire life. I am through voting for anyone that is pro gun. And since I won’t vote for those that are pro tax and anti financial common sense I can’t vote for Dems either. Guess I am done voting, and it feels good.

Comment by Really Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:59 pm
* As a hunter,gun owner and CCL carrier I agree 100% with this *

If it weren’t for the NRA you wouldn’t have that CCL. Facts are stubborn things.

Comment by Crusty Oatmeal Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 4:00 pm
The NRA tweeted that July 5. Does it have no conscience?

Yes, the governor’s response was entirely appropriate.

Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 4:00 pm
I would have added that they weren’t very gun-free if mass shootings took place. Maybe the NRA is pro “gun-free” zone now since they don’t matter?

Comment by Lefty Lefty Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 4:00 pm
==since I won’t vote for those that are pro tax and anti financial common sense==

You have to pick one.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 4:01 pm
83K likes versus 3K comments, I think the ratio says a lot.

I think the response and the tone of the response was perfect. The NRA is not a group of serious people. Powerful and influential, sure. But 100% disingenuous, deceitful, and not the folks who you can engage in meaningful discussion or debate with. Those people should be dismissed, swatted away like gnats.

Good people have tried to rise above the mud, be the better person, turn the other cheek, and hope that strategy prevails.

Instead, the fence sitters see them as weak, and flock to the other side when they are afraid.

Kevin and Irina McCarthy laid down their lives to save their son Aiden, and we owe it to that child to wage a fierce, unrelenting, unceasing, terrible campaign until no parent ever has to worry about being the next Kevin or Irina McCarthy.

Hurt feelings for the NRA are an acceptable part of that process.

Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 4:01 pm
And 100% of corrupt politicians are politicians. Also 100% of auto accidents involve automobiles, let’s ban them both.

I understand his point as a “gotcha” comment however overly simplistic and not constructive to any real dialogue regarding these tragedies.

Comment by really??? Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 4:04 pm
It’s fine in view of the glaring illogic of the NRA’s argument.

Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 4:05 pm
It’s a little light. ‘Burn in hell’ would have much more accurately captured the public sentiment. I mean, they did employ Russian spies, didn’t they?

Comment by Springfieldish Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 4:07 pm
==Also 100% of auto accidents involve automobiles, let’s ban them both. ==

Cars are basically the most heavily regulated object in the country, precisely because we recognize that they’re so dangerous. If we treated guns like cars, the government would only allow them to be made with certain safety and environmental standards, require every gun owner to carry insurance, only let them operate them on designated land, and track who owns which guns.

==not constructive to any real dialogue regarding these tragedies==

Don’t pretend that you care about that, you just did the “wHy dOnT wE bAn cArS” thing.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 4:15 pm
They messed around and found out.

Appropriate.

– MrJM

Comment by MisterJayEm Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 4:20 pm
Totally appropriate. I like to see more angry Dems.

Off topic: gun owners have been able to coalesce under the NRA banner whether they agree with its extreme positions or not. Unfortunately there is no single gun control group to represent those who
oppose those extreme views. The pro-gun control (I’m purposely not saying anti-gun) groups are too fragmented to effectively counter the NRA.

Comment by Original Rambler Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 4:25 pm
Absolutely appropriate. Glad we have a gov with guts.

Comment by Tony DeKalb Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 4:30 pm
He is a Governor of a major State of the USA. It was way over the top. He should have responded that Highland Park is not a gun free zone and the NRA tweet and the message sent was wrong.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 4:31 pm
=It was way over the top.=

How so? I’m guessing that the majority of Highland Park residents don’t feel that way.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 4:34 pm
100% appropriate

Comment by HCMcB4 Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 4:39 pm
Absolutely appropriate. And, importantly, factual.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 4:41 pm
Agree. Pritzker is the Gov of a major state and has formidable resources. If he were to become truly angry … well, I don’t think the NRA would be wise to cross him. He may turn out to be the opponent they cannot get to, and others may join him. Very predictable response by the NRA, but in retrospect they may regret it.

We shall see.

Comment by dbk Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 4:55 pm
Appropriate. And restrained.

Comment by northsider (the original) Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 4:56 pm
These people worship weapons specifically meant to kill large amounts of people quickly. There is no inappropriate response.

Comment by High Socks Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 4:59 pm
What is the source of the NRA’s misleading stat???

Comment by I am curious Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 5:03 pm
==Unfortunately there is no single gun control group to represent those who
oppose those extreme views. The pro-gun control (I’m purposely not saying anti-gun) groups are too fragmented to effectively counter the NRA.==

This is representative of a larger problem Democrats have when it comes to battling Republicans.

Comment by Roadrager Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 5:08 pm
appropriate and needed - not enough politicians reflecting the anger we are feeling

Comment by pc Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 5:10 pm
==‘Burn in hell’ would have much more accurately captured the public sentiment==

I agree. And at the same time, also promise that anti-gun control legislators “are going to pay.” INcluding massive cuts to state jobs and facilities in those legislators’ districts.

Comment by Just Sayin Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 5:19 pm
Governor - you are correct.

NRA - your elimination of “gun free zones” includes courtrooms with contested child custody cases?

Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 5:25 pm
Perfectly appropriate and here’s why:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mass_shootings_in_the_United_States_in_2022#List

Comment by LBJ Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 5:27 pm
== How so?==

Well, JB is a Democrat, so all of his actions are per se wrong, and if there is no reason for them to be wrong, Louis will gladly invent one.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 5:38 pm
Sounds fine. But….America will never get effective gun control. See the last 3 decades.

Let’s go outside the box.
https://www.rawstory.com/nra-penalty/

Don’t like it ? Don’t do the crime.

Comment by sal-says Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 6:00 pm
=and if there is no reason for them to be wrong, Louis will gladly invent one.=

Well at least Louis resisted the urge to refer to Pritzker as a pedo which seems to be the go to response for the party of decorum these days.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 6:01 pm
No, because NRA members aren’t mass shooters. But, if they are JB should have them prosecuted.

Comment by Steve Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 6:04 pm
Rich,

You confirm your bias by not allowing my comment. 6 people died in Waukesha as many as highland park. More were injured. It is an objective fact. You say you want debate so long as it goes one way. Disappointing.

Comment by Politics Drive Policy Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 6:10 pm
Isn’t he also the Gov of Chicago??

Comment by Big Tent Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 6:10 pm
NRA = Merchants of Death

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 6:19 pm
=6 people died in Waukesha as many as highland park.=

We’ve had over 300 mass shootings this year. I haven’t seen the stats on the number of folks that deliberately drove into crowds (parades or otherwise) but I’m guessing it’s a lot less. Maybe we could read about it on your blog of how things aren’t really as bad as the media makes them out to be.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 6:19 pm
My criticism is he should use hell for either abortion or guns, not both. Starting to overuse it.

Comment by Naper mom Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 6:21 pm
Pundent
Merely pointing out if someone wants to kill people at a parade their are multiple avenues for it. He blocked my original comment which was less harsh in tone.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 6:32 pm
Appropriate.

It is also interesting that there were articles in WaPo today arguing that Democratic leaders need to be more aggressive. Looks like Pritzker it taking that to heart, and it is good thing.

Comment by G'Kar Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 6:35 pm
It was not appropriate for Pritzker to spend 30 million dollars of his personal wealth to promote a NRA backed opponent. People that actually care about ending gun violence do not fund far right gun zealots.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 6:48 pm
>>>>>The NRA represents gun manufacturers.

The NRA represents me.

Comment by We've never had one before Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 6:55 pm
why do my comments not post and when I try to do it again I get a duplicate detection, even though the original would not go through?

Comment by really??? Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 6:58 pm
“why do my comments”
Sometimes it’s just glitchy. Sometimes people accuse Rich of being nefarious but I doubt that’s what’s happening.

Comment by Proud Papa Bear Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 7:12 pm
Chef’s kiss for the Guv.

Thing is, I know JB to be a nice guy, a nice guy *by choice*. It’s his default mode, I think that’s his real temperament. But he has the means to be a not-nice guy, if he has to. He’s one of those guys that never has to mention that, because he’s confident. You just FA/FO, if you’re curious about it, though. He’s really taken to heart his role of public steward/guardian of his citizens and you cross that at your peril.

Comment by Give Us Barabbas Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 7:14 pm
- We’ve never had one before - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 6:55 pm:

>>>>>The NRA represents gun manufacturers.

The NRA represents me.

Condolences.

Thanks Governor Pritzker. Appreciate your leadership.

Comment by danray Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 7:14 pm
“The NRA represents me.”

Aww, that’s so cute.

Comment by Springfieldish Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 7:15 pm
If the NRA had said this in a bar in the Highland Park, and then gotten the snot kicked out of them by the other bar patrons, I would argue that it was completely justified.

I’m glad we’re finally starting to see some Democrats with passion and backbone. Beto O’Rourke is another one I’m going to keep an eye out for.

Comment by Narc Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 7:46 pm
proud papa bear nefarious sounds about right, I have tried a different name/nickname and varied my comment, however all will not post, perhaps Rich has a problem with the hard truth of life.

Comment by really??? Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 7:51 pm
this is a test, will it post?

Comment by really??? Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 7:56 pm
so as long as I say nothing of substance, the system will post it?

Comment by really??? Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 7:57 pm
Kool-Aid? is that a trigger word for Rich?

Comment by really??? Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 7:58 pm
Rich, perhaps you explain your algorithm of silencing people.

Comment by really??? Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 8:08 pm
I love Mike Madigan, if this post it explains everything.

Comment by really??? Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 8:16 pm
Appropriate and showed some chutzpah.

Comment by BTO2 Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 8:24 pm
@really

Shouldn’t you be leaving hate messages for Adam Kinzinger rather than complaining here?

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 9:03 pm
demoralized-

I don’t engage in hate speech and that rhetoric speaks volumes to your decorum. What specific hate do you speak of? Or to afraid to answer?

Comment by really??? Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 9:50 pm
Pritkzer’s being rawly honest, and I get that these days.

I also get the frustration with comments not going through, but it does seem to have to do with the site not processing everything well enough in some way. About half of my comments go through. I wonder if an upgrade of blog site is possible?

Comment by Yooper in Diaspora Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 10:14 pm
Inappropriate. Too kind.

Comment by Lurker Thursday, Jul 7, 22 @ 12:40 am
@Louis G. Atsaves “Highland Park is nat a gun free zone”

The parade which requires a permit from local government is a prohibited area.

ILCS 430 66/65 (10) Any public gathering or special event conducted on property open to the public that requires the issuance of a permit from the unit of local government, provided this prohibition shall not apply to a licensee who must walk through a public gathering in order to access his or her residence, place of business, or vehicle.

Comment by Kevin Highland Thursday, Jul 7, 22 @ 6:48 am
I often think the governor and his spokespeople are a little too snarky. Not in this case though. Bringing up gun free zones is not the mic drop line that the NRA believes it is.

Comment by Jaguar Thursday, Jul 7, 22 @ 6:55 am
Seriously, have none of you people claiming “gun free zone hur hur hur” actually seen the videos of the shooting?

It took *maybe* 10 seconds for the first 30 rounds to go off into the crowd. People were looking around like, what was that? Then as the next 30 rounds started going off people started to panic and flee. Had the parade been a yay-guns zone, how many people do you think could locate a rooftop sniper, draw their weapon, and return fire in 10 seconds? Of course at that point, you’d have 5 armed buckos in the crowd and they’d all think each other is the shooter, so they’d start shooting each other. Not to mention the fact that the cops have a tendency to neutralize the “good guy with the gun” pretty quick with extreme prejudice.

Comment by Narc Thursday, Jul 7, 22 @ 7:08 am
NRA can’t buy Governor Pritzker. Candidate Bailey on the other hand………

Comment by Consider This Thursday, Jul 7, 22 @ 8:17 am
JB Pritzker spent thirty million dollars to get the most pro gun far right republican nominated. JB Pritzker is responsible for moving the overton window to the right. This is just a game to Pritzker and he wants to win.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 7, 22 @ 9:32 am
I can’t imagine a good argument for why it would not be appropriate.

Comment by VoteUnion Thursday, Jul 7, 22 @ 3:37 pm

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