Robert "Bob" Brandt
Campaign Promises regarding firearms 2003-2007:
I will propose a resolution urging Congress to extend the federal ban on assault weapons.
A federal or state ban on assault weapons would be much more effective than a municipal ban. (see information about assault weapons below).
Click here for my presentation. Click here for slides that illustrate the dangers of assault weapons. Click here for a copy of the resolution in WORD to customize for your town.
06-23-05- click here for a misleading article from the Illinois State Rifle Association that incorrectly states my campaign promises.
08-19-04 - The Village Board voted 4-2 against my resolution. (see votes below)
08-13-04 - Click here for a "legislative alert" by the Illinois NRA.
08-10-04 - Click here for a list of 111 police departments in Illinois that support the ban.
08-09-04 - Click here for a copy of the resolution approved by Lemont, IL.
07-21-04 - I proposed a resolution urging Congress to extend the federal ban.
Where do Woodridge officials stand on the assault weapons ban?
Mayor Bill Murphy - against the ban.
Trustee Mary Ann Frank - voted against the ban (resigned April 2007)
Trustee Pam Beavers - voted against the ban.
Trustee Robert Brandt - voted for the ban (voted out of office April 2007)
Trustee Joe Kagann - voted against the ban.
Trustee Chester Szerlag - voted against the ban (voted out of office April 2005)
Trustee Richard Wood - voted for the ban (resigned April 2007)
I will propose to ban assault weapons in Woodridge.
The federal ban on assault weapons expires September 13, 2004. That means that semi-automatic guns with multiple assault weapon features will become available for anyone with a FOID card on September 14, 2004. Fully automatic weapons will continue to be banned. (fully automatic weapons continue to fire as long as the trigger is depressed, semi-automatic weapons fire one round and instantly load the next round with each pull of the trigger i.e. fire as rapidly as you can twitch your finger.) Shotguns, handgun, rifles and semi-automatic firearms without assault weapon features are not affected. Absent leadership from Washington or Springfield, we must have leadership in Woodridge on this important issue. My concern is that assault weapons create a greater hazard than they are worth i.e. they are far more likely to be stolen (there were 168 residential burglaries in Woodridge in the the last 5 years), to be used in domestic situations (there were 842 incidents of domestic violence in Woodridge the last 5 years), rather than be used in self-defense (there were 10 home invasions in Woodridge in the last 5 years). I have no records for accidential shootings or suicides in Woodridge.
Click here to send an email to the Mayor and Village Board or click here to send a pre-printed email.
06-23-05 - click here for an article from the Illinois State Rifle Association that mis-states my campaign promises.
05-31-04 - Click here for a letter from Sen. Dick Durbin.
02-12-04 - Click here for another letter from Rep. Biggert (she says she wants existing gun laws to be enforced - but she wants the existing assault weapons ban to expire?).
02-02-04 - Click here for a letter from Rep. Biggert (she is against the ban - I think)
01-30-04 - Click here for an example of assault weapons banned in CA.
01-08-04 - Mayor Murphy issued a memorandum against the ban (he wants assault weapons to be readily available).
01-08-04 - I sent an email to my colleagues asking for concurrence to place the ban on the agenda for public discussion so both sides may present their views.
11-15-03 - I sent an e-mail to Village Administrator Perry and my colleagues on the Village Board with my proposal to ban assault weapons in Woodridge.
11-06-03 - I proposed an assault weapons ban at the 2003 Goal-Setting Meeting. It was half-heartedly received by my colleagues on the Board.
Click here to see a draft of my proposed ordinance (subject to modification).
Click here for a summary of the federal ban.
Click here to see a list of banned and protected rifles, shotguns, etc. - the only weapons that are prohibited are those with multiple assault weapon features.).
Click here for a Q&A on the federal ban (which is similar to my proposed ban).
Click here for more information on the federal ban.
I will propose requiring trigger locks for all firearms kept in Woodridge.
More than 400 children are killed in the U.S. every year from accidental shootings that could have been prevented with trigger locks. Illinois has a new state law that holds gun owners responsible if children are injured or killed after getting their hands on an unsecured weapon ($1,000 fine). I would have the Village purchase trigger locks and give them away to any resident with a firearm free of charge.
UPDATE: I proposed this at the 2003 Goal-Setting Meeting. My colleagues wished to keep this a voluntary idea, not mandate it. That would be worthless. I will continue to pursue it.
- click here for an article from the Illinois State Rifle Association that mis-states my campaign promises.
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