Illinois gun-rights advocates are complaining that Gov. Rod Blagojevich has renewed support for gun-control measures. The Chicago Tribune reports that Senate Republican leader Frank Watson said the Democratic governor reversed stance since he talked in downstate Illinois campaigning about the importance of the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. “I guess this is the new Rod Blagojevich, the new free-spirit governor,” said Watson, who is from downstate Greenville.
Blagojevich is backing legislation to ban the sale of semi-automatic assault-style weapons and to limit a person to buying one handgun a month.
Andrew Arulanandam of the National Rifle Association said Illinoisans should feel betrayed by Blagojevich, who “revealed his true stripes.”
Arulanandam said, “the two words that come to mind are disingenuous and devious.” A Blagojevich spokesman said the governor’s position on the specific issues has not changed.
Sen. John Cullerton (D-Chicago), a gun-control advocate, said suburban Republicans could make the difference in districts where more constituents want strong anti-crime laws.
Link: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0401140148jan14,1,6971822.story?coll=chi-news-hed