Ray Hanania
We need to get tough on more than guns
By Ray Hanania
I agree that there needs to be some tougher requirements to owning a gun, and that we should ban the sale of automatic weapons or owning an operable automatic weapon in a collection.
But despite the high-profile killings that the news media showcases, such as the tragic massacre of 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas, most gun violence involves handguns.
Even if you tighten the requirements and ban the automatic weapons, hundreds if not thousands of young people will be killed in Chicago and suburban Cook County each year, and thousands more will be injured by guns.
Without addressing the lax policies of people like Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, changing gun laws are meaningless. Those who only call for banning guns, like the many big-shot Democratic politicians who are using the issue for selfish political purposes, we won’t eliminate the real threat of violence that plagues many neighborhoods–not just in Chicago but across the country.
It’s not a race issue, either. It’s an economic and poverty issue. Many people who “need” use guns to “get.” Politicians like Foxx, who coddle criminals, and hypocrites like Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who tie the hands of police and blame ethnic minorities like Arabs for their gun violence problems, need to be removed from office.
Before you change gun laws, police need to be empowered even more, not weakened. They need to be tougher. They need to be protected from political lawsuits filed by parents and activists who refuse to accept responsibility for the criminal actions of their children that they enable.
We need to pass laws to punish parents and hold them accountable for the actions of their children, when those parents, for whatever excuse or reason, fail to be parents. If a child under 16 is on the streets at 2 in the morning with a gangbanger and a gun, those parents should be locked up.
Lower the age of imprisonment for anyone 12 years of age or older involved in gun violence. Take them off the streets and impose mandatory jail sentences of at least 10 years without parole.
I’m tired of trying to save the criminals when we do nothing to save the innocent victims of their violence. Law abiding citizens should be protected first.
So, when you hear politicians scream about the need for “gun control” but say nothing about parental responsibility or empowering the police, you know that all they are doing is exploiting politics with tragedy.
Don’t vote for any politician who only screams about needing gun control. Vote for the other candidate for your own protection.
THE POLITICAL GRAPEVINE: Starting with the Democrats. A lot of people are blaming Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi for the delay in collecting property taxes, which is putting strains on local governments to provide services. They blame his failure to implement a new system in his office. That’s why you should vote for Kari Steele instead. … Tammy Wendt is the only woman on the Cook County Board of Review and yet she has been targeted by the male-dominated Democratic Party that claims to care about gender rights. Wendt is being attacked for doing things that every other politician has done. It’s all political BS. Your first priority this election is to ensure Wendt returns to the Board of Review to protect your properties.
We need good judges, and none are better than Nick Kantas and ShawnTe Raines-Welch, who are running for two seats on the 4th subcircuit in Cook County. … And are you not tired of the lies and failed policies of Gov. JB Pritzker, who has done nothing to speak out in support of reasonable policies on gun laws and safety, taxes, healthcare or controlling state spending? The state is in the worst disrepair we have ever seen. … State Rep. Fran Hurley and Cyril Nichols, who work hard, also deserve your vote. So do State Senators Bill Cunningham and Michael Hastings.
On the Republican Side, you’ve noticed I write in support of Liz Gorman for both returning to the Cook County Board in the 17th District and as Republican Committeewoman in beleaguered Orland Park. She deserves your vote over Sean Morrison, who ranks as the top mudslinger in Cook County’s elections. No one lies more than Morrison, who defended one of his top employees who was accused of sexual harassment of two 14-year-old girls, one an undercover agent … Either Mike Grasso or Scott Kaspar are better choices than empowering Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau in the 6th Congressional District. Pekau is a Morrison enabler … and the better candidate for governor is Jesse Sullivan.
Check out Ray Hanania’s columns and political podcasts at hanania.com.
Local News
Oak Lawn trustee says village needs state grocery tax
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle An Oak Lawn trustee said that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposal to eliminate the state’s grocery tax will be costly for the village. Trustee William “Bud” Stalker (5th), accompanied by Mayor Terry Vorderer, recently returned from a fact-finding trip to Springfield where they learned more about the governor’s proposal to eliminate…
Palos Heights recognizes volunteers
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Palos Heights handed out awards last week recognizing the services provided by volunteers through the years. The proclamations, which were read aloud during the city council meeting April 16, were a testament to the city’s volunteers and were handed out as part of Volunteer Recognition Week. Volunteers were cited for…
Boys Volleyball | Richards weathering struggles after run of success
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After a tough weekend at the Smack Attack tournament, Richards got back into the win column with a two-set victory over Eisenhower in a South Suburban Red match. The Bulldogs made quick work of the Cardinals, winning 25-16, 25-15 on April 23 in Oak Lawn to snap a five-match…
SD218 puts on annual Arts Extravaganza
Spread the loveBy Kelly White The arts have become a major portion of the curriculum Community High School District 218. Showcasing those many talents, the Friends of CHSD 218’s Education Foundation proudly hosted its 15th annual Arts Extravaganza on April 5 at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island. “The Arts Extravaganza is a great event…
Gaming licenses to be tougher to get in Orland Park
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva It’s going to take longer to receive gaming licenses in Orland Park. The village board passed an ordinance April 15 that would allow table service businesses open at least 36 consecutive months to apply rather than the previous 18 months, and extended the probationary period to 18 months instead of…
Palos Park passes $16 million budget
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva The Palos Park Village Council approved the 2024-25 budget, which totals a little more than $16.3 million at the April 22 village council meeting. According to village documents, it represented an increase of a shade over $603,000 from last year. The village is expecting $13.4 million in revenue and $1.86…
Fire damages Al Bahaar Restaurant in Orland Park
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Orland Fire Protection District firefighters responded to a fire Monday evening at the Al Bahaar Restaurant, 39 Orland Square Dr. At first, restaurant owners suspected the fire alarm was triggered by a malfunction, but as firefighters inspected the restaurant to reset the fire alarm, they detected a burning smell. “What…
Year of growth | Evergreen Park enjoying inaugural boys volleyball season
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After almost 70 years of existence as a high school, Evergreen Park finally has a boys volleyball team. The Mustangs are playing their inaugural season with a junior varsity squad, with some matches being played at the varsity level. Head coach Brian Zofkie is leading this group with assistant…
Neighbors
Oak Lawn trustee says village needs state grocery tax
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle An Oak Lawn trustee said that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposal to eliminate the state’s grocery tax will be costly for the village. Trustee William “Bud” Stalker (5th), accompanied by Mayor Terry Vorderer, recently returned from a fact-finding trip to Springfield where they learned more about the governor’s proposal to eliminate…
Palos Heights recognizes volunteers
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Palos Heights handed out awards last week recognizing the services provided by volunteers through the years. The proclamations, which were read aloud during the city council meeting April 16, were a testament to the city’s volunteers and were handed out as part of Volunteer Recognition Week. Volunteers were cited for…
Boys Volleyball | Richards weathering struggles after run of success
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After a tough weekend at the Smack Attack tournament, Richards got back into the win column with a two-set victory over Eisenhower in a South Suburban Red match. The Bulldogs made quick work of the Cardinals, winning 25-16, 25-15 on April 23 in Oak Lawn to snap a five-match…
SD218 puts on annual Arts Extravaganza
Spread the loveBy Kelly White The arts have become a major portion of the curriculum Community High School District 218. Showcasing those many talents, the Friends of CHSD 218’s Education Foundation proudly hosted its 15th annual Arts Extravaganza on April 5 at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island. “The Arts Extravaganza is a great event…
Gaming licenses to be tougher to get in Orland Park
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva It’s going to take longer to receive gaming licenses in Orland Park. The village board passed an ordinance April 15 that would allow table service businesses open at least 36 consecutive months to apply rather than the previous 18 months, and extended the probationary period to 18 months instead of…
Palos Park passes $16 million budget
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva The Palos Park Village Council approved the 2024-25 budget, which totals a little more than $16.3 million at the April 22 village council meeting. According to village documents, it represented an increase of a shade over $603,000 from last year. The village is expecting $13.4 million in revenue and $1.86…
Fire damages Al Bahaar Restaurant in Orland Park
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Orland Fire Protection District firefighters responded to a fire Monday evening at the Al Bahaar Restaurant, 39 Orland Square Dr. At first, restaurant owners suspected the fire alarm was triggered by a malfunction, but as firefighters inspected the restaurant to reset the fire alarm, they detected a burning smell. “What…
Year of growth | Evergreen Park enjoying inaugural boys volleyball season
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After almost 70 years of existence as a high school, Evergreen Park finally has a boys volleyball team. The Mustangs are playing their inaugural season with a junior varsity squad, with some matches being played at the varsity level. Head coach Brian Zofkie is leading this group with assistant…