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Updated: February 25, 2013 11:32AM
GLENVIEW
When Sunday’s panel on guns and public safety started, Keith Turner of Waukegan was in the front row.
The Waukegan gun rights advocate said he attends as many such forums as he can.
“I’m a pro-Constitution conservative,” he said. “I’m a U.S. Navy veteran and I regard this as a civil rights issue.”
Turner said he knew panelist Lee Goodman of the Stop Concealed Carry Coalition. Goodman was a friend with whom he disagreed, Turner said.
Lincolnwood resident Joe Siegel, another gun rights supporter seated in the front row said the forum panel did not include anyone in favor of gun rights, calling it “all one sided.”
Art Ellingsen of Arlington Heights, who identified himself as a Tea Party founder, said he attends lots of forums including those about gun issues. He said the press ignores events where gun use has prevented violence and said he wanted to battle misinformation about gun use and gun rights.
Ellingsen also said he wanted local political representatives, at least two of whom attended the Glenview event, to know the extent of gun rights support.
State Sen. Daniel Biss (D-9th) sat near Turner and Siegel during the presentation. Afterwards he said he attended because “It’s an important issue in our community.”
State Rep. Laura Fine (D-17th) spent the afternoon near the back of the auditorium. After it ended, she said, “this is a very emotional issue, but it’s one that people are all concerned about. We need to find a resolution.”~.
