Jacology: Gay Marriage, Gun Control And IL Legislature

(KPLR) – In Friday’s Jacology, Charles Jaco questions the priorities of the Illinois General Assembly.

By the end of this coming spring, it’s likely that gay marriage will become legal in Illinois; while certain kinds of assault weapons will be made illegal. So what’s all this mean to you?

It could be argued in a state like Illinois that’s on the critical list economically, that dealing with same-sex marriage and assault weapons should be the top priorities. But since fixing that mess would mean cutting state retirees benefits and raising taxes and cutting spending on social programs, it’s probably easier to deal with weddings and ar15′s.

Guns first, even though they didn’t have the votes in this session, the next session of the Illinois legislature will have even more democrats from the Chicago area. That means by May Illinois will probably vote to legalize same-sex marriage. Which raises the possibility of gay and lesbian couple from St. Louis; heading across the river to get married, only to return to Missouri, where the marriage isn’t recognized.

Then there’s gun control; an assault weapon ban just means between now and may, people will be flooding Illinois gun stores to buy their ar15′s or other assault-style rifles. The same legislation will also outlaw ammo clips containing more than ten rounds.

Despite all the freaked out emails we get here, there is no chance, repeat, no chance that the state will seize anyone’s weapons. The law will only apply to new purchases.

Will an assault weapons ban prevent mass slaughter like at sandy hook elementary school? That’s the hope. But studies so far are non-committal about the relationship between tough local gun laws and reduced crime. And that’s because we already have 300 million guns on the street in this country.

I’m Charles Jaco and that’s Jacology.