Western Illinois – Two western Illinois county boards have gone on record as being opposed to gun control laws being discussed by state lawmakers.
The Brown County Board adopted a resolution unanimously. Pike County Board Vice Chairman Mark Mountain says their vote was 7-2 in support of the resolution.
Mountain says hunting is a major factor in the region's economy, especially during deer seasons when roads are crowded and motels are full. He had no specific value of what hunting brings in, but says it is easily "millions and millions of dollars."
Brown County Board member Jim Logsdon said hunting is important in his county as well. In addition, he says couinty board members are sworn to uphold the constitution, and that includes the second amendment.
He says Chicago has home rule powers and can set its own gun regulations, but should not try to impose those rules on the rest of the state.
Logsdon says firearms, hunting and target shooting are part of the culture in western Illinois that he wants to preserve.