Chicago City Wire

The Illinois State Rifle Association has come out against Chicago Mayor-elect in his comments seeking to not “demonize” youth who flooded into downtown Chicago last week. 

“The advent of warm weather has brought out the worst in Chicago,” ISRA said in a press release. “This is no surprise. The Mayor-elect is already making excuses for those who ruthlessly attacked innocent people and property. I suspect the Chicago Police Department will not be able to handle this, moreover, if they do, they would be in more trouble than the perpetrators.” 

ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson reminded “One of the first rules of self-defense is if you know there is likely to be trouble, don’t go there." He mentioned that "Last weekend a couple from Indianapolis drove to Chicago to see what it was like." The tourists' car "was wrecked by people pounding on it, and they ended up in the hospital. 

“I know some of you are thinking, 'It shouldn’t be this way,' lamenting that we have reached such a low state, hoping this will all change, none of which does any good," Pearson said. "Just standing around and thinking about change is a useless waste of time. You cannot control the actions of others. You can only control your own actions and reactions. Now is the time to prepare yourself. If you don’t have concealed carry, get it. If you already have concealed carry, take more training.” 

Apart from the disturbing news in Chicago, “There are increasing news stories about individuals defending themselves, helping others under attack, and assisting the police," the release stated.  "A great example of just such an act occurred last weekend in Houston, Texas. An armed citizen witnessed a person trying to withdraw money from an ATM. A thug attacked him and was pistol-whipping the guy. The armed citizen pulled in and engaged the thug, shooting him in the leg. The police showed up and soon discovered that their would-be robber was wanted for murder in Louisiana. Who knows what would have happened to the intended victim if the armed citizens had not intervened. The guy was already wanted for murder, after all.”  

Johnson wants to absolve those responsible for the mob violence that devastated Chicago over the past two weekends. 

“It is not constructive to demonize youth who have otherwise been starved of opportunities in their own communities,” Johnson said in a statement.

Johnson's viewpoint is similar to that of State Sen. Robert J. Peters (D-Chicago), who similarly justified last week's actions. 

“I would look at the behavior of young people as a political act and statement. It’s a mass protest against poverty and segregation,” Peters said in a tweet.

State Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) lambasted Peters for protecting violent mobs that terrified residents over the weekend. 

“It looks to me like at least one person in this video did not want to participate in your mass "political act and statement,” @RobertJPeters. Chicago is a dying city b/c of "leaders" like you. The death & destruction is so tragic and so unnecessary,” Plummer said in a tweet.