FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GUN BAN PROPOSAL SPARKS FORMATION OF GUN OWNERS GROUP IN NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS

CONTACTS: Mike Morgan, Northbrook Citizens for Responsible Firearms Ownership, (847) 846-0011

Art Jablonski, Naperville Citizens for Responsible Firearms Ownership, (312) 630-6952 or Pager: (800) 759-7243 PIN# 2175913

Web Site: http://www.59t4.com/nb/default.htm      New site 11/5/00 www.ncfrfo.com 

NORTHBROOK, IL, August 15, 2000 - - The Naperville Citizens for Responsible Firearms Ownership today announced the successful launching of a sister organization based in Northbrook, IL. Formation of the Northbrook Citizens for Responsible Firearms Ownership (NBCFRFO) comes on the heels of a July public hearing at which the Northbrook Board of Trustees discussed placing a handgun ban referendum on the November ballot. The Northbrook group strongly opposes any board action interfering with the right of law-abiding Northbrook citizens to own handguns.

Persons testifying in favor of the gun ban included Steve Young, Midwest Director of the Million Mom March - a radical, San Francisco based gun control group. Young testified in support of an extremist, nationwide policy to severely restrict the ownership of firearms by law-abiding citizens. Other gun ban supporters went so far as to characterize Northbrook firearm owners as vigilantes and fear-mongers.

Despite overwhelming opposition to the gun ban referendum, the Northbrook trustees delayed any action on the issue until August 22, 2000.

"The primary function of our group is educational," said interim NBCFRFO president Mike Morgan. "Our group is the village's most competent advisor in the area of firearm issues. Our plans call for meetings with individual trustees prior to the August 22nd vote. We plan to put a stop to this referendum proposal by educating the trustees on the real issues and by reinforcing the police department's assertion that a handgun ban would provide no benefit to the community."

"There is another dimension to our group as well," continued Morgan. "We intend to serve as a lens to focus the political energies of Northbrook's gun owners. Close attention will be paid to those elected officials who place their personal political aspirations ahead of our constitutional rights."

"I'd like to thank the Naperville group for all of its help," commented Morgan. "When we learned that the Million Mom March was supporting this referendum, we knew we needed help. The Illinois State Rifle Association told us that Naperville had the best community-based group in the area. So we took advantage of their help, and we're glad we did."

"We're happy to help out," said Art Jablonski, president of the Naperville organization. "The Million Mom March is like an old west medicine show. They roll into town and raise a big ruckus among the residents. To get what they want, they'll gladly pit neighbor against neighbor; husband against wife; mother against son. Then they sneak out of town leaving nothing behind but rancor."

"If the board of trustees does the Million Mom March's bidding by placing the referendum on the ballot, they'll inflict wounds on the community that will take generations to heal." continued Jablonski. "But Steve Young and the Million Mom March couldn't care less about what happens to Northbrook - all they care about is pounding another nail into the coffin containing our constitutional rights."

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