Retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. Paul Schimpf, the Republican candidate for state Senate in District 58, has received the National Rifle Association’s endorsement in his race against former Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon (D-Carbondale) to fill the seat of retiring state Sen. David Luechtefeld (R-Okawville).
As an infantry officer in the Marine Corps, Schimpf explained that he made his living with an M-16A2 rifle. He said he is a responsible firearm owner and a member of the NRA, so he is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment.
“On the issue of gun rights, The Supreme Court was correct in District of Columbia v. Heller when it ruled that the original meaning of the Second Amendment was not to protect the rights of a well-regulated militia, but to protect the individual’s right to keep and bear arms.” Schimpf recently told SW Illinois News. “The Second Amendment is vital to a free society and to the protection of our other Constitutional rights.”
Schimpf also announced that the NRA gave him an “AQ” rating — the highest rating offered to a non-incumbent candidate.
“The NRA’s ‘AQ’ rating is given to solid pro-gun/pro-hunting candidates who will advocate for the right to keep and bear arms,” he said. “In contrast, Ms. Simon has previously received an ‘F’ rating due to her advocacy for new, burdensome gun regulations.”
Schimpf said he agrees with the NRA’s rating of Simon and added more criticism of his opponent.
“Simon’s record on firearms is horrible,” Schimpf said. “She coordinated a working group to curtail gun rights while the General Assembly worked towards a concealed-carry plan.”
Schimpf is referring to the 2013 gun summit Simon brokered in an effort to create a bipartisan Firearms Working Group, which consisted of new members of the Illinois General Assembly. In December 2012, the state was ordered to pass a law allowing concealed carry within 180 days after the 7th District Court of Appeals said it was unconstitutional to ban concealed carry legislation.
“We only have concealed carry in Illinois because (former) Gov. (Pat) Quinn, Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon and the General Assembly were forced to pass it under federal court order,” he said. “The former lieutenant governor also advocated for dividing out an individual's right to self-defense based on one's zip code. Simon is also on record fighting for local municipal gun bans.”
Schimpf has made it clear why the NRA has supported him and why he continues to support Second Amendment rights.
“I will make protecting your Second Amendment rights a priority, not an afterthought,” he said.
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