This blog is maintained for the sole purpose of allowing the people of Peru and those interested in the cities of the Illinois Valley to express their views.
“It doesn’t take a majority to win, just a tireless minority that will keep starting brush fires in the mind and hearts of their fellow men.” Samuel Adams
That is great news. The numbers keep going up. Peru is number three with 1.2% of the population having a license. Now keep in mind they are basing the percentage of the total population. If you remove the population that is under 21 it is a little higher. Anyway, when you go shopping in Peru, chances are that guy next to you has a gun - because everyone shops in Peru.
As a CCL holder, I'd also like to point out that you might accidently see the pistol when a person reaches for something on the bottom shelf, or reaches for their wallet. You might even see the outline of a gun in a pocket. Don't get excited like the people at the coffee shop did. The law says "concealed or mostly concealed." This takes into account these situations. I guarantee you - that gun is not going to jump out of the person's holster on its own and shoot you just because you get a glimpse of the grip.
Anyway - keep it up Peru. Winter is here, its a good time to get and continue training at several of the indoor ranges.
People let's step it up. Peru may have collected the most sales tax and have the lowest tax rate. They may have the lowest electric rates and the lowest water rates and a few new schools. But they don't have the most CCL licenses. They are falling behind and I am sure that many will be moving out of Peru as a result of not being #1 in concealed carry permits! What else should we complain about Peru?
Why would someone carry any form of weapon when going shopping. As for seeing a person in a store or any other public facility with a concealed or semi concealed weapon I am going to call the police on the spot. Recently people were killed and injured because neighbors of the killers did not turn them in when they had a suspicion. 4:18 PM Your lesson that a gun is not going to jump out of person's holster on its own and shoot you is thoughtless. Remember the NRA's favorite saying of guns don'kill, people do. Everyone will be a lot safer if you leave yours at home. If guns are so important to your or others life I suggest a stint or lifetime career in our military services. Another fear is that if you were in the situation of providing protection you would panic and not be as proficient with a weapon as you believe you are and as a result get not only yourself but others endangered. There is a huge difference between a conflict with weapons and a training range. Even Johnny Cash sang "Leave your guns at home".
11:40 AM, I think we should continue to complain about the Peru's small-minded and slack-jawed cheerleaders like you who lie about Peru having the lowest tax rates, electric rates, and water rates. How's that?
1:04 The truth hurts........I would re-phrase that to say in the Illinois Valley. Can you give me the evidence to prove the point that Peru doesn't have the lowest water, electric and tax rates? I guess you have agreed that the highest retail is in Peru. I will agree that Peru is not the leader when it comes to having guns.
1:04 that comment echos what many think. It doesn't make someone a "cheerleader" and you issue the same insults to anyone who doesn't despise everything about Peru. Our town is not perfect, but 11:40 said nothing wrong. You Peru haters love to lie and say hateful things. Why not try to help make our community better instead? Or you can just stay behind the screen and throw out insults and call people names. That'll help.
5:00 PM, so exactly what are you trying to say. Are you insinuating that low income is equal to high crime? Or are you saying that only unsophisticated low income people like guns? Or maybe you think low income is equal to non-white which is equal to high crime. You, 5:00 PM are typical of some of the "slack jawed yokels" that inhabit this little valley.
12:21 - I have served over 20 years in the military. That being said, military service and even active police service does not guarantee proficiency with firearms. In fact, many CCL holders are more proficient. Many CCL holders have better training than police officers and I'd bet that the shot their guns more than 9 out of 10 of our local cops. And by training I don't mean the training that Illinois requires - which barely covers even the most basic aspects of defensive shooting. I will continue to carry my gun when shopping in Peru. I will also actively promote real gun safety through the NRA. I will actively support political candidates that support my views on firearms and I will actively work against those that don't.
It was not "leave your guns at home" it was " don't take your gun to town." And if you listen to the lyrics, they concern a young man going to town to drink. I whole heartedly support NOT drinking while carrying a loaded gun. The other silly remark you made about calling the police if you see somebody carying a concealed weapon... What exactly will you tell them? "Officer, I just saw a guy exercising his rights as a citizen, please arrest him." No, I suspect you will do what the Moms Demand Action group advocates. The tell their members to call the police and tell the that a person is carrying a gun and threatening people. The try to get the police to over react and shoot innocent CCL holders. This is called SWATING and will soon have diar consequences in Illinois. Anyone reporting a non-crime or falsely reporting a crime should be sent to prison.
There is a growing movement, which I support, for Open Carry in Illinois. I've traveled quite a bit in my life and one thing I noticed was that crime is lower in places which have a large armed civilian population. It is also common in Switzerland and Israel for qualified citizens to carry rifles with them, not just side arms.
Lifer, are you trying to convince people that there is no difference between a rifle range and a real life experience of a combat zone? What is it that has scared you so much that you need a sidearm to go buy a loaf of bread? After rereading your comment I have thoughts that you military experience is short of some of the claim you have made.
I have indeed served just over 20 years in the armed forces. However, my shooting was limited to missiles from a submarine. I have been trained in small arms tactics in order satisfy the requirements to safeguard nuclear weapons. My live fire experience is limited to training.
It is irrelevant why a person chooses to carry a pistol routinely. Your comment regarding fear is a Bloomberg tactic designed to illicit an emotional response. My response is simply that my pistol is no different than an insurance policy or fire extinguisher. Do you have a fire extinguisher in your house? Why? What makes you so scared that you purchase a fire extinguisher and mount it on the wall in your kitchen? Are you a professional firefighter? What makes you think that you can do anything about a fire?
At no point did I state that shooting at a range was the same as military combat experience. You brought that up. This is another Bloomberg tactic – trying to convince people that only so called “professionals” should be trusted with a gun… that civilians cannot possibly get adequate training to safely defend themselves with a gun. Well, I’m here to tell you that your argument is without merit. Tactical training opportunities for CCL holders abound. Often, civilian CCL holders are better trained than active military members and even Police Officers on tactics used in defensive shooting. However, the comparison is not fair. All things being equal, the mission of a Police Officer, Combat Soldier, and CCL Holder are quite different. Most CCL holders encourage and participate in constant training. Police and Combat soldiers have clearly defined training cycles and are limited by budgets. It is not unheard of for a police officer to only have classroom training and range qualification once a year. Keep in mind that we are discussing carrying a firearm in public. Not owning a firearm. Because I know what your next argument will be.
Combat training does not equal the ability to defend yourself against a single person inside your personal safety zone with the intent to kill you or harm you. In combat, there is a clearly defined enemy and a goal of taking a position and eliminating that enemy. In military combat, you are not concerned with what lies beyond your target. An often used tactic is "spray and prey." CCL holders, on the other hand, are responsible what lies beyond the target. Combat shooting is at a distance beyond 25, 50, or even 100 yards. The distance of most defensive shooting is close. In most cases, defenders make the shoot decision just before the criminal is at arm’s length. Defenders often communicate with their attackers. Something that does not happen very often in combat action. Almost all defensive shooters use a handgun. Rifles are used in almost all military combat engagements. In fact, there is a saying in the Army that the only purpose of a sidearm is to fight your way back so you can get a rifle. Combat tactics concentrate on offense. CCL tactics concentrate on defense. --- to be continued ---
In most defensive shootings by a civilian CCL holder, two shots are generally fired. I bring this up because in many police shootings, there is very little regard for what is beyond the target and they almost always empty their pistol, which is a larger duty gun with a capacity of 15 rounds or more. In defensive shooting, the goal is not to eliminate the perpetrator, it is to protect life. A CCL holder does not try to stop a crime. A CCL holder does not insert himself or herself in a dangerous situation purposefully. The first rule is to avoid dangerous places. If you are in a dangerous situation, the first rule is to try to escape. Lastly, if your life or the life of another person is in danger, you stop the assailant. The goal is not to kill them, the goal is to stop them from killing or harming you or someone else. They might die in the process, but they should have thought of that beforehand. Police have a different mission. They put themselves in harm’s way. They enforce the law. This is very different than a CCL. So, like it or not. When you go shopping, I guarantee that someplace in that store, there is a civilian with a gun. You should not be frightened by this fact. CCL holders are the most law abiding citizens, having been investigated and vetted by Federal, State, and Local law enforcement agencies.
1:07 PM If you are trying to emphasize that to you it is dangerous to go to wally market at 2:00 AM and walk across the parking lot alone I am starting to realize the quotient of needless fear in the Illinois Valley. In the Illinois Valley I cut my baby teeth walking through streets which make Walmart's' parking appear a lot safer than a child's sand box. How can someone's imagination get so cared away that they believe a ride to Brookfield Zoo is a trip to a safari in Africa? Living Dangerously!
4:34, you are indeed naive. It is known that a woman was recently shopping alone at Wally mart at 2:00, left the store and was walking to her car when a guy pulled in next to her and was pleasuring himself so she could see. At what point will this jerk turn into a rapist? This isn't your mama's Peru any more.
Mr. Living Dangerously. That might be fine for you, but not for me. I feel better with a .38 caliber insurance policy in my pocket. As far as going to Brookfield Zoo. No thanks. There is nothing that is worth the risk of venturing into north-east corner of our state. I also have no desire to contribute to the corruption. I take my money south.
I forgot to mention one more thing 11:57. Are you saying it is the victims fault if the crime occurs at 2:00 AM? Next you will say that the way a women dresses causes rape.
We have friends that live close to housing in La Salle and they don't complain about crime. In my thoughts, Housing if run properly has rules that must be abided by and people who live their are not just given the keys and allowed to do whatever. But the individual slum lord owner of many individual homes scattered around Peru etc. can rent to whom they want and they do not always maintain their property. Many times it is one after another of bad renters. The city does not seem to have a method to monitor them until the neighbors have to complain and complain and complain. Sometimes it takes everyone in blocks to voice their complaints. On this topic I do know what has happened.
8:14, well then, you have discovered the Holy Grail of Law Enforcement. Round up all the poor people and put them in a concentration camp out west somewhere. We will all be safer. I can hear the battle cry now, This is Our City! If you don't make enough money, you are not welcome here.
Lois, your sentence , "Housing if rum properly has rules that must be abided by and people who live there are not just given the keys and allowed to do whatever". Those that simply hand out the keys and collect the rent are normally slum landlords and worse than their renters. They never raise their standards as a result have the same type of tenant waiting in line to rent unless "babysit" by law and reported by neighbors. Sadly many of these tenants will aggressively exhibit personnel repercussions to those they believe who have reported them as will some landlords. What must be remembered is that their are property owners who have a application process for those they rent to and do a background check. They also visit the properties neighbors and ask them to call if they observe any wrongdoings. These property owners desire that their ownership is a plus rather than a negative. Conducting property ownership on a professional basis is not only a pleasurable experience for all it also raises the value of the property. Peru at one time had a residential home ownership being lived in by the owner of 93%. Today, 2016, it would be interesting to know how many who rent out homes are not local residents themselves. Thankfully Peru as many other local cities have a strong chain of professionals to contact for those unsatisfied with the unusual. They are available to be contacted and than updated.
Yes you are absolutely correct, we have many responsible landlords who follow the rules but when you see others who do not and never will and nothing is done unless one complains to the city for years, it is discouraging. It is the absentee landlord who owns residential and business properties also.
Our local high rise is a version of a housing program also as is the one in La Salle and several in Ottawa. There will always be a need for public low rent housing and ignoring it does not help. So what is the answer. We also allow section 8 which is administered by the Housing Authority.
Private ownership has built large apartments in the area and similar problems happen to be a part of that also, ask any of the neighbors. Where is our long range plan extending out 5 or 10 years
It is the people, not the property owners. Aggressive enforcement of existing laws will eventually correct the situation. But it is a long, arduous process. For starters, we need to have a program in this county in which petty offenses are punishable by forced labor. If you are arrested for littering, you should be forced to perform 80 hours of cleanup duty supervised by an officer. If you get a DUI, instead of weekend in jail, you should be forced to do some sort of chain gang work.
The original idea of the High Rises were that they were housing for the elderly alone. A idea which was considered to be a wonderful idea. Sadly this idea was contested and defeated which allowed many others besides the elderly to be residents which as a end result has diminished the desire of the elderly to live at the high rises. It has also instilled a fear of the elderly to live in a high rise. Many years ago the older sect looked forward to living in a high rise. I do not understand how a long range plan extending out 5 or 10 years has any importance when the federal or state government are involved, also with the number of business becoming bankrupt. Possibly the best long range plan is if it is available and positive take and fence it in to its proper location. I do believe that well thought out zoning and the ability to not change it except when truly necessary is extremely important.
Getting back to the crime issue. Peru is becoming quite a target for Thugs and Marauders from Chicago. Back 30 years ago, there was nothing to see from I-80. Now we have a thriving retail area that is easily seen coming into town. It catches the eye, especially at night.
People forget that downtown Chicago is only about a two hour drive. Easy pickings for a gangbanger on a night raid looking for some quick cash. We had the raid on the telephone store. The druggies with the pharmacy grab. That's just two I can remember off the top of my head. And don't forget the local addicts. Everyone says that we have a massive heroin epidemic in the Illinois Valley. A heroin addict can turn into a murder overnight if they don't get their fix. The cops are cracking down on the dealers, it is only a matter of time before one of these addicted kids goes on a rampage trying to get money and drugs. According to the LaSalle County States Attorney, heroin is the NUMBER ONE ISSUE in this area.
I whole heartedly support the right to keep and bear arms. But I reject the premise that a minority should use fear to try to create an armed society and continue to reject the responsibility associated with the ownership of extremely dangerous pieces of machinery designed for a sole purpose, to disable and kill.
By continuing to make simple and ridiculous arguments comparing guns to butter knives or any other tool, and quoting a study that when examined over a longer term shows that increasing gun ownership actually seems associated with a dramatic increase in violent crime, the radical faction of the gun rights group stymie logical thought and responsible controls and regulation.
The vast majority of gun owners are highly responsible law abiding citizens. There is NO proof they are better trained in crisis response than law enforcement, although it is likely true that they may be better shots. I am completely in favor of gun ownership , both in type and qty most gun owners want. I even support concealed carry. But I am concerned that responsible gun owners refuse to acknowledge the cradle to grave responsibility they carry when they place a gun into service. A vast majority of guns obtained illegally and used in crimes of planning AND crimes of passion began their service life legally. All rational and common sense debate gets buried when the gun lobby paranoia and anti governmwnt fears enter into the disxussion.
Military personnel are much more comfortable with side arms than the average citizen, and that is how it should be. We cannot devolve into an armed society and over react to the isolated threats by arming everyone. Just as we should not overreact by taking away classes of weapons after a madman uses one, we should not over react to all loophole closing and increased registration requirements. The NRA has a great membership class but a radical autocratic leadership and lobbying group. It is time for responsible thoughtful gun owners to rise up and recognize the problem and come up with compromise solutioms. The world is not comprised of good guys and bad guys. Guns kill people AND people kill people. They are not mutually exclusive. And the weapoms of today are NOT the weapons the founding fathers could even imagine. It is time we started to respond to that as gun owners.
"Hi-Rise" is an "Illinois Valley-ism" - sort of like calling tortellini "ravioli". There is no other city in the world in which you could say "The Hi-Rise" and the reply would be "LaSalle or Peru?".
These where indeed the tallest buildings that anyone in a 40 mile radius had ever seen in the 1970's. I remember newspaper articles about how old folks living on the top floors might need extra oxygen. Firemen from here to Marseilles and Princeton demanded extra tall latter trucks due to the carnage that was sure to happen if there was a fire. During the campaign for the Peru Airport, several Aldermen demanded that Camlin's conduct a study to determine if airplanes would collide with these Hi-Rise monstrosities.
It was not until I went on a field trip to the "big city" that I learned that these structures where called "Apartment Buildings" by everyone else outside our provincial bergs.
"By continuing to make simple and ridiculous arguments comparing guns to butter knives..." Response: This Has not happened in this blog post.
"increasing gun ownership actually seems associated with a dramatic increase in violent crime" Response: This is not true. FBI Statistics have proven out that violent crime has dramatically DECREASED as private gun ownership has INCREASED. In fact, we are at an all time low in violent crime despite the problems in Chicago which has had the most restrictive gun laws in the state and perhaps the country.
"There is NO proof they are better trained in crisis response than law enforcement," Response: Nobody said the where. Private gun owners are NOT law enforcement and nobody pretends they are. They respond to an immediate threat that involves themselves or their loved ones only.
"And the weapons of today are NOT the weapons the founding fathers could even imagine." Responses: If you read the original debates over the Second Amendment, our founders where not concerned with the type of arms involved. They did not debate hunting or even crime. The purpose of the Second Amendment is to ensure the people have access to arms in "common use." Further more, the founders wanted to be sure the people could defend themselves against any enemy - foreign or domestic.
We will see, in the very near future, open carry in Illinois. Get used to the idea of good people with guns on their hip. They are already there - but you will soon see this on a daily basis.
To those who have used the age old excuse of someone worked on the midnight shit and that is the reason they shop at 2:00 AM. If some one is working the midnight shift they would still be at work at 2 AM. Wal-Mart where the incident took place is open 24 hours so even if the person works 12 hour shifts they have hours of daylight to shop. People who have experience in working a 3 shift rotation will inform you that a person working the midnight shift during the winter is off the most hours of daylight than the other 2 shifts.
12:25, the incident and the time where both hypothetical. But if I read your comment correctly, you are saying that we should close down the stores at night. In other words, your answer to crime is to restrict the liberties of the law abiding.
Nobody has brought this forward yet and only one has skirted around the issue a little. So I'll make it clear. This is not only about self defense. The right of the people to keep and bear arms is a safeguard on all our other freedoms. The Bill of Rights is not a list of things that the Government allows us to do. It is a list of things that the Government is not allowed to infringe on. In fact, the entire Constitution lists what WE, The People, allow government to do. Not the other way around.
Having over 300 million firearms in civilian hands is a very good way to keep the government in check.
The violent crime rate from the mid 1960's until the late 1990's quadrupled. During this period the US saw the most "Progressive" gun control laws put in place - penalizing the law abiding citizen. Starting with the Gun Control Act of 1968 to the Clinton Gun Bans of the 90's - violent crime in America increased dramatically as average citizens where disarmed. Since reforms have been put in place, including concealed carry by private citizens and the expiration of the draconian Clinton gun laws, violent crime has decreased by about half starting in the 2000's.
That should tell you the story. Arm the law abiding citizen, and violent crime is decreased.
Anon 5:46 AM You can out a ape in a fur coat and diamonds but you still have a ape. I agree with you. The conclusions that 12:59 PM has reached are evidently nowhere near what 12:25 PM has placed in the blog. Also 12:59 PM you have discredited yourself by entering nothing but hypothetical s. Best answer I have for you 12:59 is to surround yourself with sci fi rather than trying to enter Facts & Truth.
It was posted that it is dangerous to walk through a particular parking lot in the early morning hours and that people doing so should be allowed to defend themselves. Then somebody responded that no respecting lady would be out at that hour. Then somebody said, what if they work at night. It continued with, if they work at night, they should not be shopping. On and on it went. But, essentially, there is a person that thinks instead taking precautions to defend yourself, you should not go out in the early morning hours.
The entire exchange is nonsensical. I for one avoid that particular store even at high noon. But that does not mean that I should ask others to follow my lead. There is no curfew, the store is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have legal ways that people can defend themselves if they choose to.
I carry a pistol everywhere it is legal. That includes the grocery store, the auto shop, the clothing store, the coffee joint, and most restaurants in town. I also do not take chances. I stay away from places that might be dangerous. I don't hang out in bars (mostly because I can't have a pistol with me and you can't have one when you drink).
The only problem I see is somebody telling me I can't have a pistol with me. Hopefully you will never have to see my pistol. But if you do, don't freak out if it is an accidental viewing of the "print" or the grip above my waistband when I bend over. If I actually draw it in defense, you will probably thank me afterword.
Here is an idea for the Anti-Gunner. Put a sign in front of your house that says "I Don't Have a Gun." Then go to South Chicago for the weekend and put a sign around your neck that says "I am Unarmed."
You talking about you rights to carry a gun. That is protected by your rights. I think that you may be understating the fact that we do need control over those not able to make good decisions.
Nothing was mentioned about a respectable woman, what was mentioned was what sensible woman. Huge, huge difference 8:20 AM. It's about time for those who refer to others comments to refer to them correctly.
you are correct Dirty Harry. If you commit a felony, you need to do hard time and give up many of your civil rights, including firearm possession and voting.
I stand corrected 1:31, but the point remains the same. That person projected the problem on to the woman, "sensible", "respectable", or otherwise. The person essentially said, in that hypothetical case, the women would be a fault for being in that location at that time.
WE need to bring back the law in Illinois that permanently removes the right to vote from anyone convicted of a felony. Right now, the only time they can't vote is when they are actually in prison. Somebody tell Andy Skoog that is a law he can champion in the Statehouse.
I'm a conservative and I do not see why an American citizen who has served his time should lose his most basic civic duty and right for the rest of his life. I don't see why this is a democrat or a republican issue, but then I am not an idiot who follows ideology like this. I just think for myself.
So a 250 year old who gets busted with drugs and turns his life around, becomes a preacher, has a family and does good in the community should never be able to vote? Please.
8:53, someone who has committed a felony has broken a convenience with society. Even after they have "done their time", they should not longer have a say in how society is organized or what laws are made. Now, I will say that they need to be informed of this before they have a chance to commit a felony. We need to bring back education in "Civics" at every level from kindergarten to High School Seniors.
Wow 6:49. Too bad for you we live in the United States of America. I would not want to live in a country where you forever give up your right to VOTE because of a past indiscretion. You cannot be serious and if you are then you are just another nut job.
Should you never be able to drive a car again after an accident? Three speeding tickets? I would argue that some who have done wrong and served their time may have a better perspective than some who have done wrong and just never been caught.
Ha! What an interesting lesson in "civics" your idea of "civics" would be to some high school kids. Pretty sure they know way more than you about our rights as citizens.
8:53 AM Voting is not strictly a Republican, Democrat, Conservative or Liberal issue but a American issue. The parties today fight one another going into a election and sadly vote by party after the election. After the election their vote should be for a better country not a party swayed vote.
58 comments:
That is great news. The numbers keep going up. Peru is number three with 1.2% of the population having a license. Now keep in mind they are basing the percentage of the total population. If you remove the population that is under 21 it is a little higher. Anyway, when you go shopping in Peru, chances are that guy next to you has a gun - because everyone shops in Peru.
As a CCL holder, I'd also like to point out that you might accidently see the pistol when a person reaches for something on the bottom shelf, or reaches for their wallet. You might even see the outline of a gun in a pocket. Don't get excited like the people at the coffee shop did. The law says "concealed or mostly concealed." This takes into account these situations. I guarantee you - that gun is not going to jump out of the person's holster on its own and shoot you just because you get a glimpse of the grip.
Anyway - keep it up Peru. Winter is here, its a good time to get and continue training at several of the indoor ranges.
Peru is at fault for everything in this world so says the faithful
More guns = less crime.
People let's step it up. Peru may have collected the most sales tax and have the lowest tax rate. They may have the lowest electric rates and the lowest water rates and a few new schools. But they don't have the most CCL licenses. They are falling behind and I am sure that many will be moving out of Peru as a result of not being #1 in concealed carry permits! What else should we complain about Peru?
Why would someone carry any form of weapon when going shopping. As for seeing a person in a store or any other public facility with a concealed or semi concealed weapon I am going to call the police on the spot. Recently people were killed and injured because neighbors of the killers did not turn them in when they had a suspicion.
4:18 PM Your lesson that a gun is not going to jump out of person's holster on its own and shoot you is thoughtless. Remember the NRA's favorite saying of guns don'kill, people do. Everyone will be a lot safer if you leave yours at home. If guns are so important to your or others life I suggest a stint or lifetime career in our military services.
Another fear is that if you were in the situation of providing protection you would panic and not be as proficient with a weapon as you believe you are and as a result get not only yourself but others endangered. There is a huge difference between a conflict with weapons and a training range. Even Johnny Cash sang "Leave your guns at home".
11:40 AM, I think we should continue to complain about the Peru's small-minded and slack-jawed cheerleaders like you who lie about Peru having the lowest tax rates, electric rates, and water rates. How's that?
1:04 The truth hurts........I would re-phrase that to say in the Illinois Valley. Can you give me the evidence to prove the point that Peru doesn't have the lowest water, electric and tax rates? I guess you have agreed that the highest retail is in Peru. I will agree that Peru is not the leader when it comes to having guns.
Where's that low income housing blogger? If Peru had more low income housing they could have more guns. Just like Streator.
1:04 that comment echos what many think. It doesn't make someone a "cheerleader" and you issue the same insults to anyone who doesn't despise everything about Peru. Our town is not perfect, but 11:40 said nothing wrong. You Peru haters love to lie and say hateful things. Why not try to help make our community better instead? Or you can just stay behind the screen and throw out insults and call people names. That'll help.
5:00 PM, so exactly what are you trying to say. Are you insinuating that low income is equal to high crime? Or are you saying that only unsophisticated low income people like guns? Or maybe you think low income is equal to non-white which is equal to high crime. You, 5:00 PM are typical of some of the "slack jawed yokels" that inhabit this little valley.
12:21 - I have served over 20 years in the military. That being said, military service and even active police service does not guarantee proficiency with firearms. In fact, many CCL holders are more proficient. Many CCL holders have better training than police officers and I'd bet that the shot their guns more than 9 out of 10 of our local cops. And by training I don't mean the training that Illinois requires - which barely covers even the most basic aspects of defensive shooting. I will continue to carry my gun when shopping in Peru. I will also actively promote real gun safety through the NRA. I will actively support political candidates that support my views on firearms and I will actively work against those that don't.
It was not "leave your guns at home" it was " don't take your gun to town." And if you listen to the lyrics, they concern a young man going to town to drink. I whole heartedly support NOT drinking while carrying a loaded gun.
The other silly remark you made about calling the police if you see somebody carying a concealed weapon... What exactly will you tell them? "Officer, I just saw a guy exercising his rights as a citizen, please arrest him." No, I suspect you will do what the Moms Demand Action group advocates. The tell their members to call the police and tell the that a person is carrying a gun and threatening people. The try to get the police to over react and shoot innocent CCL holders. This is called SWATING and will soon have diar consequences in Illinois. Anyone reporting a non-crime or falsely reporting a crime should be sent to prison.
There is a growing movement, which I support, for Open Carry in Illinois. I've traveled quite a bit in my life and one thing I noticed was that crime is lower in places which have a large armed civilian population. It is also common in Switzerland and Israel for qualified citizens to carry rifles with them, not just side arms.
Lifer, are you trying to convince people that there is no difference between a rifle range and a real life experience of a combat zone? What is it that has scared you so much that you need a sidearm to go buy a loaf of bread? After rereading your comment I have thoughts that you military experience is short of some of the claim you have made.
I have indeed served just over 20 years in the armed forces. However, my shooting was limited to missiles from a submarine. I have been trained in small arms tactics in order satisfy the requirements to safeguard nuclear weapons. My live fire experience is limited to training.
It is irrelevant why a person chooses to carry a pistol routinely. Your comment regarding fear is a Bloomberg tactic designed to illicit an emotional response. My response is simply that my pistol is no different than an insurance policy or fire extinguisher. Do you have a fire extinguisher in your house? Why? What makes you so scared that you purchase a fire extinguisher and mount it on the wall in your kitchen? Are you a professional firefighter? What makes you think that you can do anything about a fire?
At no point did I state that shooting at a range was the same as military combat experience. You brought that up. This is another Bloomberg tactic – trying to convince people that only so called “professionals” should be trusted with a gun… that civilians cannot possibly get adequate training to safely defend themselves with a gun. Well, I’m here to tell you that your argument is without merit. Tactical training opportunities for CCL holders abound. Often, civilian CCL holders are better trained than active military members and even Police Officers on tactics used in defensive shooting. However, the comparison is not fair. All things being equal, the mission of a Police Officer, Combat Soldier, and CCL Holder are quite different. Most CCL holders encourage and participate in constant training. Police and Combat soldiers have clearly defined training cycles and are limited by budgets. It is not unheard of for a police officer to only have classroom training and range qualification once a year. Keep in mind that we are discussing carrying a firearm in public. Not owning a firearm. Because I know what your next argument will be.
Combat training does not equal the ability to defend yourself against a single person inside your personal safety zone with the intent to kill you or harm you. In combat, there is a clearly defined enemy and a goal of taking a position and eliminating that enemy. In military combat, you are not concerned with what lies beyond your target. An often used tactic is "spray and prey." CCL holders, on the other hand, are responsible what lies beyond the target. Combat shooting is at a distance beyond 25, 50, or even 100 yards. The distance of most defensive shooting is close. In most cases, defenders make the shoot decision just before the criminal is at arm’s length. Defenders often communicate with their attackers. Something that does not happen very often in combat action. Almost all defensive shooters use a handgun. Rifles are used in almost all military combat engagements. In fact, there is a saying in the Army that the only purpose of a sidearm is to fight your way back so you can get a rifle. Combat tactics concentrate on offense. CCL tactics concentrate on defense. --- to be continued ---
--- response part two ----
In most defensive shootings by a civilian CCL holder, two shots are generally fired. I bring this up because in many police shootings, there is very little regard for what is beyond the target and they almost always empty their pistol, which is a larger duty gun with a capacity of 15 rounds or more. In defensive shooting, the goal is not to eliminate the perpetrator, it is to protect life. A CCL holder does not try to stop a crime. A CCL holder does not insert himself or herself in a dangerous situation purposefully. The first rule is to avoid dangerous places. If you are in a dangerous situation, the first rule is to try to escape. Lastly, if your life or the life of another person is in danger, you stop the assailant. The goal is not to kill them, the goal is to stop them from killing or harming you or someone else. They might die in the process, but they should have thought of that beforehand. Police have a different mission. They put themselves in harm’s way. They enforce the law. This is very different than a CCL.
So, like it or not. When you go shopping, I guarantee that someplace in that store, there is a civilian with a gun. You should not be frightened by this fact. CCL holders are the most law abiding citizens, having been investigated and vetted by Federal, State, and Local law enforcement agencies.
8:33 should go to the wally market at 2:00 AM and walk across that parking lot alone.
1:07 PM If you are trying to emphasize that to you it is dangerous to go to wally market at 2:00 AM and walk across the parking lot alone I am starting to realize the quotient of needless fear in the Illinois Valley. In the Illinois Valley I cut my baby teeth walking through streets which make Walmart's' parking appear a lot safer than a child's sand box.
How can someone's imagination get so cared away that they believe a ride to Brookfield Zoo is a trip to a safari in Africa?
Living Dangerously!
4:34, you are naïve.
4:34, you are indeed naive. It is known that a woman was recently shopping alone at Wally mart at 2:00, left the store and was walking to her car when a guy pulled in next to her and was pleasuring himself so she could see. At what point will this jerk turn into a rapist? This isn't your mama's Peru any more.
Mr. Living Dangerously. That might be fine for you, but not for me. I feel better with a .38 caliber insurance policy in my pocket. As far as going to Brookfield Zoo. No thanks. There is nothing that is worth the risk of venturing into north-east corner of our state. I also have no desire to contribute to the corruption. I take my money south.
What sensible woman will be walking in a parking lot by herself at 2 AM in the morning in any city?
One that works the night shift. The store is open 24 hours and we have plenty of people that work at night.
I forgot to mention one more thing 11:57. Are you saying it is the victims fault if the crime occurs at 2:00 AM? Next you will say that the way a women dresses causes rape.
6:21, yes, low income housing leads to increased crime. Ask LaSalle, Streator, the south side of Chicago, East St Louis.
6:21 PM
We have friends that live close to housing in La Salle and they don't complain about crime. In my thoughts, Housing if run properly has rules that must be abided by and people who live their are not just given the keys and allowed to do whatever. But the individual slum lord owner of many individual homes scattered around Peru etc. can rent to whom they want and they do not always maintain their property. Many times it is one after another of bad renters. The city does not seem to have a method to monitor them until the neighbors have to complain and complain and complain. Sometimes it takes everyone in blocks to voice their complaints. On this topic I do know what has happened.
8:14, well then, you have discovered the Holy Grail of Law Enforcement. Round up all the poor people and put them in a concentration camp out west somewhere. We will all be safer. I can hear the battle cry now, This is Our City! If you don't make enough money, you are not welcome here.
Lois, your sentence , "Housing if rum properly has rules that must be abided by and people who live there are not just given the keys and allowed to do whatever". Those that simply hand out the keys and collect the rent are normally slum landlords and worse than their renters. They never raise their standards as a result have the same type of tenant waiting in line to rent unless "babysit" by law and reported by neighbors.
Sadly many of these tenants will aggressively exhibit personnel repercussions to those they believe who have reported them as will some landlords.
What must be remembered is that their are property owners who have a application process for those they rent to and do a background check. They also visit the properties neighbors and ask them to call if they observe any wrongdoings. These property owners desire that their ownership is a plus rather than a negative. Conducting property ownership on a professional basis is not only a pleasurable experience for all it also raises the value of the property.
Peru at one time had a residential home ownership being lived in by the owner of 93%. Today, 2016, it would be interesting to know how many who rent out homes are not local residents themselves.
Thankfully Peru as many other local cities have a strong chain of professionals to contact for those unsatisfied with the unusual. They are available to be contacted and than updated.
9:06 AM
Yes you are absolutely correct, we have many responsible landlords who follow the rules but when you see others who do not and never will and nothing is done unless one complains to the city for years, it is discouraging. It is the absentee landlord who owns residential and business properties also.
Our local high rise is a version of a housing program also as is the one in La Salle and several in Ottawa. There will always be a need for public low rent housing and ignoring it does not help. So what is the answer. We also allow section 8 which is administered by the Housing Authority.
Private ownership has built large apartments in the area and similar problems happen to be a part of that also, ask any of the neighbors. Where is our long range plan extending out 5 or 10 years
It is the people, not the property owners. Aggressive enforcement of existing laws will eventually correct the situation. But it is a long, arduous process. For starters, we need to have a program in this county in which petty offenses are punishable by forced labor. If you are arrested for littering, you should be forced to perform 80 hours of cleanup duty supervised by an officer. If you get a DUI, instead of weekend in jail, you should be forced to do some sort of chain gang work.
The original idea of the High Rises were that they were housing for the elderly alone. A idea which was considered to be a wonderful idea. Sadly this idea was contested and defeated which allowed many others besides the elderly to be residents which as a end result has diminished the desire of the elderly to live at the high rises. It has also instilled a fear of the elderly to live in a high rise. Many years ago the older sect looked forward to living in a high rise.
I do not understand how a long range plan extending out 5 or 10 years has any importance when the federal or state government are involved, also with the number of business becoming bankrupt. Possibly the best long range plan is if it is available and positive take and fence it in to its proper location.
I do believe that well thought out zoning and the ability to not change it except when truly necessary is extremely important.
Who owns those buildings? Is it government housing? And I always wondered why they called them Hi-Rise. They are not that tall.
Getting back to the crime issue. Peru is becoming quite a target for Thugs and Marauders from Chicago. Back 30 years ago, there was nothing to see from I-80. Now we have a thriving retail area that is easily seen coming into town. It catches the eye, especially at night.
People forget that downtown Chicago is only about a two hour drive. Easy pickings for a gangbanger on a night raid looking for some quick cash. We had the raid on the telephone store. The druggies with the pharmacy grab. That's just two I can remember off the top of my head. And don't forget the local addicts. Everyone says that we have a massive heroin epidemic in the Illinois Valley. A heroin addict can turn into a murder overnight if they don't get their fix. The cops are cracking down on the dealers, it is only a matter of time before one of these addicted kids goes on a rampage trying to get money and drugs. According to the LaSalle County States Attorney, heroin is the NUMBER ONE ISSUE in this area.
Yes it is government housing. They are referred to as high rises because they are the tallest buildings in Peru.
I whole heartedly support the right to keep and bear arms. But I reject the premise that a minority should use fear to try to create an armed society and continue to reject the responsibility associated with the ownership of extremely dangerous pieces of machinery designed for a sole purpose, to disable and kill.
By continuing to make simple and ridiculous arguments comparing guns to butter knives or any other tool, and quoting a study that when examined over a longer term shows that increasing gun ownership actually seems associated with a dramatic increase in violent crime, the radical faction of the gun rights group stymie logical thought and responsible controls and regulation.
The vast majority of gun owners are highly responsible law abiding citizens. There is NO proof they are better trained in crisis response than law enforcement, although it is likely true that they may be better shots. I am completely in favor of gun ownership , both in type and qty most gun owners want. I even support concealed carry. But I am concerned that responsible gun owners refuse to acknowledge the cradle to grave responsibility they carry when they place a gun into service. A vast majority of guns obtained illegally and used in crimes of planning AND crimes of passion began their service life legally. All rational and common sense debate gets buried when the gun lobby paranoia and anti governmwnt fears enter into the disxussion.
Military personnel are much more comfortable with side arms than the average citizen, and that is how it should be. We cannot devolve into an armed society and over react to the isolated threats by arming everyone. Just as we should not overreact by taking away classes of weapons after a madman uses one, we should not over react to all loophole closing and increased registration requirements. The NRA has a great membership class but a radical autocratic leadership and lobbying group. It is time for responsible thoughtful gun owners to rise up and recognize the problem and come up with compromise solutioms. The world is not comprised of good guys and bad guys. Guns kill people AND people kill people. They are not mutually exclusive. And the weapoms of today are NOT the weapons the founding fathers could even imagine. It is time we started to respond to that as gun owners.
Rights AND Responsibility
"Hi-Rise" is an "Illinois Valley-ism" - sort of like calling tortellini "ravioli". There is no other city in the world in which you could say "The Hi-Rise" and the reply would be "LaSalle or Peru?".
These where indeed the tallest buildings that anyone in a 40 mile radius had ever seen in the 1970's. I remember newspaper articles about how old folks living on the top floors might need extra oxygen. Firemen from here to Marseilles and Princeton demanded extra tall latter trucks due to the carnage that was sure to happen if there was a fire. During the campaign for the Peru Airport, several Aldermen demanded that Camlin's conduct a study to determine if airplanes would collide with these Hi-Rise monstrosities.
It was not until I went on a field trip to the "big city" that I learned that these structures where called "Apartment Buildings" by everyone else outside our provincial bergs.
"By continuing to make simple and ridiculous arguments comparing guns to butter knives..." Response: This Has not happened in this blog post.
"increasing gun ownership actually seems associated with a dramatic increase in violent crime" Response: This is not true. FBI Statistics have proven out that violent crime has dramatically DECREASED as private gun ownership has INCREASED. In fact, we are at an all time low in violent crime despite the problems in Chicago which has had the most restrictive gun laws in the state and perhaps the country.
"There is NO proof they are better trained in crisis response than law enforcement," Response: Nobody said the where. Private gun owners are NOT law enforcement and nobody pretends they are. They respond to an immediate threat that involves themselves or their loved ones only.
"And the weapons of today are NOT the weapons the founding fathers could even imagine." Responses: If you read the original debates over the Second Amendment, our founders where not concerned with the type of arms involved. They did not debate hunting or even crime. The purpose of the Second Amendment is to ensure the people have access to arms in "common use." Further more, the founders wanted to be sure the people could defend themselves against any enemy - foreign or domestic.
We will see, in the very near future, open carry in Illinois. Get used to the idea of good people with guns on their hip. They are already there - but you will soon see this on a daily basis.
To those who have used the age old excuse of someone worked on the midnight shit and that is the reason they shop at 2:00 AM. If some one is working the midnight shift they would still be at work at 2 AM.
Wal-Mart where the incident took place is open 24 hours so even if the person works 12 hour shifts they have hours of daylight to shop. People who have experience in working a 3 shift rotation will inform you that a person working the midnight shift during the winter is off the most hours of daylight than the other 2 shifts.
12:25, the incident and the time where both hypothetical. But if I read your comment correctly, you are saying that we should close down the stores at night. In other words, your answer to crime is to restrict the liberties of the law abiding.
Mr. Rights and Responsibility.
Nobody has brought this forward yet and only one has skirted around the issue a little. So I'll make it clear. This is not only about self defense. The right of the people to keep and bear arms is a safeguard on all our other freedoms. The Bill of Rights is not a list of things that the Government allows us to do. It is a list of things that the Government is not allowed to infringe on. In fact, the entire Constitution lists what WE, The People, allow government to do. Not the other way around.
Having over 300 million firearms in civilian hands is a very good way to keep the government in check.
The violent crime rate from the mid 1960's until the late 1990's quadrupled. During this period the US saw the most "Progressive" gun control laws put in place - penalizing the law abiding citizen. Starting with the Gun Control Act of 1968 to the Clinton Gun Bans of the 90's - violent crime in America increased dramatically as average citizens where disarmed. Since reforms have been put in place, including concealed carry by private citizens and the expiration of the draconian Clinton gun laws, violent crime has decreased by about half starting in the 2000's.
That should tell you the story. Arm the law abiding citizen, and violent crime is decreased.
An armed society is a polite society.
12:59 Everything you have said is hypothetical as you are saying what you want to say not what someone elses comment said.
12:59 - please repost in English. I'm having difficulty parsing your sentence.
Anon 5:46 AM
You can out a ape in a fur coat and diamonds but you still have a ape. I agree with you. The conclusions that 12:59 PM has reached are evidently nowhere near what 12:25 PM has placed in the blog. Also 12:59 PM you have discredited yourself by entering nothing but hypothetical s. Best answer I have for you 12:59 is to surround yourself with sci fi rather than trying to enter Facts & Truth.
It was posted that it is dangerous to walk through a particular parking lot in the early morning hours and that people doing so should be allowed to defend themselves. Then somebody responded that no respecting lady would be out at that hour. Then somebody said, what if they work at night. It continued with, if they work at night, they should not be shopping. On and on it went. But, essentially, there is a person that thinks instead taking precautions to defend yourself, you should not go out in the early morning hours.
The entire exchange is nonsensical. I for one avoid that particular store even at high noon. But that does not mean that I should ask others to follow my lead. There is no curfew, the store is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have legal ways that people can defend themselves if they choose to.
I carry a pistol everywhere it is legal. That includes the grocery store, the auto shop, the clothing store, the coffee joint, and most restaurants in town. I also do not take chances. I stay away from places that might be dangerous. I don't hang out in bars (mostly because I can't have a pistol with me and you can't have one when you drink).
The only problem I see is somebody telling me I can't have a pistol with me. Hopefully you will never have to see my pistol. But if you do, don't freak out if it is an accidental viewing of the "print" or the grip above my waistband when I bend over. If I actually draw it in defense, you will probably thank me afterword.
Here is an idea for the Anti-Gunner. Put a sign in front of your house that says "I Don't Have a Gun." Then go to South Chicago for the weekend and put a sign around your neck that says "I am Unarmed."
Dear Pistol,
You talking about you rights to carry a gun. That is protected by your rights. I think that you may be understating the fact that we do need control over those not able to make good decisions.
Dirty Harry
Nothing was mentioned about a respectable woman, what was mentioned was what sensible woman. Huge, huge difference 8:20 AM. It's about time for those who refer to others comments to refer to them correctly.
you are correct Dirty Harry. If you commit a felony, you need to do hard time and give up many of your civil rights, including firearm possession and voting.
I stand corrected 1:31, but the point remains the same. That person projected the problem on to the woman, "sensible", "respectable", or otherwise. The person essentially said, in that hypothetical case, the women would be a fault for being in that location at that time.
WE need to bring back the law in Illinois that permanently removes the right to vote from anyone convicted of a felony. Right now, the only time they can't vote is when they are actually in prison. Somebody tell Andy Skoog that is a law he can champion in the Statehouse.
The Democrats will never allow that.
I'm a conservative and I do not see why an American citizen who has served his time should lose his most basic civic duty and right for the rest of his life. I don't see why this is a democrat or a republican issue, but then I am not an idiot who follows ideology like this. I just think for myself.
So a 250 year old who gets busted with drugs and turns his life around, becomes a preacher, has a family and does good in the community should never be able to vote? Please.
Who are you sick people?
Ha ha! That was supposed to say 25 year old not 250 year old. :)
8:53, someone who has committed a felony has broken a convenience with society. Even after they have "done their time", they should not longer have a say in how society is organized or what laws are made. Now, I will say that they need to be informed of this before they have a chance to commit a felony. We need to bring back education in "Civics" at every level from kindergarten to High School Seniors.
Wow 6:49. Too bad for you we live in the United States of America. I would not want to live in a country where you forever give up your right to VOTE because of a past indiscretion. You cannot be serious and if you are then you are just another nut job.
Should you never be able to drive a car again after an accident? Three speeding tickets? I would argue that some who have done wrong and served their time may have a better perspective than some who have done wrong and just never been caught.
Ha! What an interesting lesson in "civics" your idea of "civics" would be to some high school kids. Pretty sure they know way more than you about our rights as citizens.
8:53 AM Voting is not strictly a Republican, Democrat, Conservative or Liberal issue but a American issue. The parties today fight one another going into a election and sadly vote by party after the election. After the election their vote should be for a better country not a party swayed vote.
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