Sure wish Springfield had not given all that money to anti-gun politicians and thrown gun owners under the bus...
Didn't really happen like that.
A lobbyist primarily representing SA and RRA cut a deal for immunity for manufacturers on a new Illinois law aimed at dealers in return for the lobbyist's non opposition to the law.
Reece (SA) and Larson (RRA) had their noses rubbed pretty hard into the fact that they were responsible for lobbyists operating on their behalf. The law passed the legislative process, but was vetoed by the governor. SA and RRA dismantled the lobbyist entity.
Today, I'd put Reece in the top running for financial and political support of Illinois gun rights. I've heard that he is one of the largest single financial backers of the ISRA. Dealers who took everything made by SA off the shelves and returned it to distributors are now proudly and profitably selling SA again.
I don't know Dennis Reece, and have never met him that I recall. Did do some business with his father, who started the company, and always felt like I was dealing with a solid guy. From what I hear, the company existed from before I did business with the old man. I don't know about that. What I remember is an old farmhouse filled with surplus rifles.
Never hard as much about or from Larson of RRA. Got the impression that she and they were lesser players in the deal.
Anyway, I don't know exactly how lobbyist dealings go. I guess I imagine it to be kind of like having teenage kids that can do some rough things to the family name. Coupla times I wished i coulda dismantled a kid.
