NRA lobbyist calls Costello ‘top gun’ in legislature

The resignation of a Harrisburg Democratic state representative has led a gun lobbyist to refer to State Rep. Jerry Costello II, D-Smithon, as now the top gun proponent in the Illinois legislature.

In a Facebook post, Todd Vandermyde, the legislative liaison for the National Rifle Association in Illinois, said former State Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, had helped on gun issues in the state.

“It’s been 15 years of slogging through fight after fight over (Second Amendment) issues from semi-auto bans to getting concealed carry done and passed,” Vandermyde wrote.

Vandermyde then went on to say Costello was now the top legislator for gun issues while referring to Top Gun, the 1986 film. He included a YouTube clip of the movie.

“Oh well, Jerry F. Costello, Cougar turned in his wings,” Vandermyde wrote. “He was number one, you’re number 2, now you’re (number) 1 Top Gun.”

Costello earlier this year filed legislation that called for eliminating the Firearm Owner’s Identification card, which is needed to buy or possess a gun and purchase ammunition in Illinois.

Costello had said FOID cards are a burden to “responsible” Illinois residents and prevents them from obtaining firearms.

This story was originally published September 6, 2017 at 12:50 PM with the headline "NRA lobbyist calls Costello ‘top gun’ in legislature."