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Cousins Refuses To Be DrawninIntoGunControl DebateREFUSING to be drawn into verbal exchanges regarding his recent proposed gun legislation, Eighth Ward Alderman William Cousins clarified his position on the controversial gun control issue in an exclusive interview with the BULLETIN Thursday, June 12.Asserting that he did not want to engage in any dialogue with W'estsider Russ Meek, or “make charges which create divisivenessness among persons who are working in the best way they see fit to create a better life for our black brothers,” Cousins elaborated:“MY POSITION is clear I repeat that guns are not necessary for the use of any people, black or white.”Meek, described as a Westside militant, last week had rapped Cousins’ support of a resolution which would totally disarm all persons, whether public or private citizens.COUSINS served as chairman of a State and Local Affairs Policy Commission during the recent convention of Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) in session inWashington.Describing what he termed “a rather comprehensive resolution on crime and enforcement” Cousins elaborated on the commission’s gun control action. “The section dealing with gun control was adopted by ADA which believes that our society should be completely disarmed,” he said.THECOM MISSION’Sresolution called for an immediate ban on all firearms— hand guns, rifles and long guns. It recommended that rifles be stored in a place set aside for this purpose, Cousins revealed.Meek had termed the total disarmament of the American public an “indictment against the black community,” and opined that it would “mean trouble for the blackmasses...”COUSINS explained the storage of long guns and rifles, saying that they would be accessible for those who hunt, but their return to the place of storage would be mandatory. “Even these guns should not be in the home,” he asserted, adding:“Guns are not necessary forthe use of any people, black or white,” he asserted.THE ALDERMAN also took issue with the gun registration laws to emphasize his strong support of ADA's gun control action. “I have been of the opinion, and remain so, that efforts to control the use of guns through registrationlaws missed the mark.“Registration laws do not restrain persons from obtaining guns. The most such laws can do is to assist law enforcing agencies in their investigatory efforts to apprehend persons who have used the weapons,” Cousins explained.“BUT, WHEN weapons have been used the damage has been done, therefore our real concern must be to prevent killings.” The alderman admitted, however, that to have guns completely banned would be a momen-tuous undertaking.He inferred that this would come only w'hen society realizes that to effectively prevent the use of guns in commission of criminal offenses the wanton slaughter of human beings would end.
Newspaper Details
South Side Bulletin
Chicago, Illinois, US
Wed, Jun 18, 1969
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USA 28 Jan 2023
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