Dear Editor:

The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that the proliferation of semi-automatic assault weapons and high-capacity ammo clips is a major health and safety threat. When the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff League recently reviewed mass murder statistics, most of the weapons used were assault weapons or semi-automatic handguns. High-capacity ammunition magazines enable a shooter to fire off many rounds rapidly without having to reload, making possible some of the worst mass murders ever committed. Given the recent heartbreaking killing of young, innocent children in what should have been a safe learning environment, it is clearly time that our state and federal legislators take action.

The League of Women Voters of Downers Grove/Woodridge/Lisle joins our fellow Leagues in supporting strong federal and state measures to limit the accessibility and regulate the ownership of semi-automatic assault weapons and high-capacity magazines by private citizens. It should be very hard for questionable people to purchase such items. Adequate resources should be allocated to regulate and monitor gun dealers. In addition, the League believes that strict penalties for improper possession of assault weapons, and for crimes committed with assault weapons and high-capacity ammo clips, should be enforced.

Most Americans, and most gun owners, indicate that they would support such sensible gun policies. This is not about being "anti-gun" or "gun control", this is about sensible gun policies for our health and safety. Please join the League of Women Voters in requesting that our legislators pass such sensible laws, thus becoming good ancestors to our children. You can obtain the current contact information for your state and federal legislators at the following League of Women Voters of Illinois website.

Peggy Healy Hilary, Denk Co-Presidents