Candidate for 26th Legislative District Shows Leadership in Neighborhood Rally Against Gun Violence
Will Burns Underscores Need for Stricter Gun Laws
(Chicago—October 26, 2007) Community activist and Democratic candidate for the 26th legislative district Will Burns will join a group of prominent community leaders Saturday to rally for stricter gun laws.
Burns, who has made gun violence a centerpiece of his campaign, said the rally will bring much needed attention to an important issue.
“Gun violence is one of the top concerns in our community,” Burns said. “We can not continue to sit idly by and witness our families, neighbors and friends become victim of gun violence.”
The Saturday rally at Chuck’s Gun Shop in Riverdale will focus on passing comprehensive legislation to combat gun violence. Key issues for the group, led by the Rev. Michael Pfleger of Saint Sabina Church, include a renewal of the federal assault weapons ban that expired in 2004, a mandatory 30 day waiting period for gun purchases and a requirement that all handgun dealers register with the state of Illinois.
Activists at the rally are also demanding the General Assembly pass legislation requiring background checks for anyone purchasing a handgun from a private dealer. Burns noted similar legislation failed in the state house last year by two votes. Rep. Elga Jeffries (D), who currently represents the 26th district, was one of the members to vote against the bill despite being listed as a sponsor of the legislation.
“We can’t afford to leave any loopholes open in our gun laws,” Burns said. “Gun violence is a real issue in our community, and one that deserves our strongest attention.”
Burns pointed out that Chuck’s Gun Shop “is single handedly responsible for most of the guns used by criminals in the Chicago area.” The Rev. Pfleger led a similar rally in June targeting the south suburban Riverdale gun shop.
Will Burns is a former senior adviser and deputy chief of staff to Senate President Emil Jones, Jr. A longtime public servant, Burns has also held positions at the Chicago Urban League, Metropolitan Planning Council and Illinois Democratic Party, and served as the deputy campaign manager for the Obama for Congress 2000 campaign. Additionally, he has volunteered his time on the boards of several not-for-profit organizations including the Lugenia Burns Hope Center, Mikva Challenge and Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law.
Burns currently is Vice President for Conlon Public Strategies, and resides in Hyde Park with his wife Robin Black, and their infant daughter Athena.