A Second Amendment representative explains how the latest attack on gun makers isn’t just unwarranted, it’s concerning.
Some believe advertising can be misconstrued in different ways, depending on the message they provide. At least, that’s what Illinois officials seem to think when it comes to gun advertising.
Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker has noted that he will soon sign a bill that will forbid advertising for firearms, based on officials noting that it “produces a public safety threat or appeals to children, militants or others who might later use the weapons illegally,” according to AP News.
Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul pointed out one specific example, the JR-15, a smaller version of the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle with the tag line “Get ‘em One Like Yours.” He noted how this would appeal to “younger shooters,” explaining how it “potentially entices them to skip the adult supervision and start firing.”
Gun-rights advocates have already spoken out against the law, believing that not only are officials wrong about the message coming from the advertising, but also that the law affects both free-speech rights and the right to own guns.
With us now to discuss this further is a representative for the Second Amendment Foundation, a group that firmly believes in everyone’s right to bear arms, especially in this day and age. Their expertise will certainly prove useful in this matter.
Q&A:
- Why do you think Illinois is so concerned with the advertising coming from gun makers? Do they truly believe that they’re trying to appeal to a younger gun market?
- Do you believe Attorney General Raoul is going too far in misconstruing the message of “Get ‘em One Like Yours” with the JR-15? Or with the belief that younger shooters would “skip the adult supervision and start firing”?
- How does this affect both free speech rights and the right for people to purchase and bear arms?
- Do you believe this law will stand with the Constitution and the Second Amendment right? Could Illinois face an uphill battle attempting to enforce it?
- Several other states are also concerned with the advertising provided by these gun makers. But should they be? Is there really anything harmful about it?
- Where can we learn more about the Second Amendment Foundation and its members?
Those interested can visit http://www.saf.org/.
Second Amendment Foundation/CCRKBA spokespersons available to be your guest:
ABOUT CHRIS CHENG (In Pacific Time)
Chris Cheng serves on the advisory council to the Second Amendment Foundation’s Board of Trustees. He is the History Channel’s Top Shot Season 4 Champion and author of the book “Shoot to Win.” Cheng is an Asian D&I advocate in the gun community; a former Google employee who went from self-taught amateur to pro shooter.
ABOUT CAM EDWARDS (In Eastern Time)
Cam Edwards is the editor at Bearing Arms-dot-com and hosts the popular podcast Cam & Company that focuses on Second Amendment news and information. Cam is originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and has worked in radio, television, and online media for over two decades. He currently lives on a small farm with his family near Farmville, Virginia, and is a member of the board of Citizens Committee to Keep and Bear Arms.
ABOUT MARK WALTERS (in Eastern Time):
Mark Walters is a member of the board of directors for the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. As a nationally syndicated host of two talk radio programs, Armed American Radio and Armed American Radio’s Daily Defense, Mark is heard on hundreds of stations weekly across the country. Mark is the co-founder of Armed American News and the recipient of the 2015 “Gun Rights Defender of the Year award.” In addition, Mark Walters is co-author of three books, including Lessons from Armed America, Lessons from Unarmed America, and Grilling While Armed.
ABOUT LEE WILLIAMS (In Eastern Time)
Lee Williams is also known as The Gun Writer and has been writing about the Second Amendment, firearms, the firearms industry, and the gun culture for more than ten years. He is the Chief Editor of the Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Reporting Project and is a frequent contributor to Ammoland News and Armed American Radio. In addition, Lee serves as a board member of Florida Carry, Inc. He was also an editor for a daily newspaper in Florida. Before becoming a newspaper editor, Lee was an investigative reporter in three states and a U.S. Territory. Before becoming a journalist, he worked as a police officer. Before becoming a cop, Lee served in the Army. Lee has earned more than a dozen national journalism awards as a reporter and three medals of valor as a police officer.
ABOUT DAVE WORKMAN (In Pacific Time):
Dave Workman is an award-winning career journalist and senior editor of TheGunMag.com. He writes for Liberty Park Press, Conservative Firing Line, and is communications director for the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. He has authored Op-Ed pieces in several major newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune, Seattle Times, and Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and co-authored seven books with Second Amendment Foundation Alan Gottlieb. Workman’s beat is firearms, from politics to the outdoors. He is widely considered an authority on firearms, concealed carry, and gun politics.
The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing, and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 700,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.
CONTACT: To schedule an interview, contact Jerry McGlothlin of Special Guests PR Agency at 919-437-0001 or geraldmcg@outlook.com.
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