Concealed cary law news in Illinois -Step closer!!

tchariya · 02-22-2009, 11:55 AM

Link to article

Illinois panel OK's concealed-carry gun law
Kari Andren
POST-DISPATCH SPRINGFIELD BUREAU
02/18/2009

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - An Illinois House panel overwhelmingly approved legislation Wednesday that would allow residents to carry concealed handguns or other weapons in public.

Illinois and Wisconsin are the only two states in the country that do not allow concealed carry.

The House Agriculture and Conservation Committee advanced two versions of the legislation by an 11-1 vote. One version would require the Illinois State Police to issue the concealed carry permits; the other would task county sherrifs with issuing permits.

Both bills would require permit applicants to be "law-abiding citizens" and to complete a training course in handgun use, safety, marksmanship and laws pertaining to firearm use.

"It's high time Illinois join the overwhelming majority" of states that allow concealed carry, said Todd Vandermyde, legislative liaison for the National Rifle Association. "Forty-eight other states can't be wrong."

Vandermyde said carrying a handgun is critical for self-defense.

"If I don't have the ability to have a firearm on my side, I don't have a fighting chance," he said.

Opponents, however, said more access to guns creates only more risk of death and injury and that concealed weapons do not lower crime rates.

Chris Boyster, downstate director for the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, said that Missouri is a concealed carry state but that crime rates in St. Louis have worsened since the law went into effect.

"Crime has not gone down in the city of St. Louis; in fact, it continues to increase," Boyster said. "Concealed carry did not deter crime rates to go down. ... In fact, one year, I believe (St. Louis) was ranked as the murder capitol of the United States."

02-22-2009, 11:55 AM	#1
tchariya Taters of the lost Ark Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 592 Trading: (13)	Concealed cary law news in Illinois -Step closer!! Link to article Illinois panel OK's concealed-carry gun law Kari Andren POST-DISPATCH SPRINGFIELD BUREAU 02/18/2009 SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - An Illinois House panel overwhelmingly approved legislation Wednesday that would allow residents to carry concealed handguns or other weapons in public. Illinois and Wisconsin are the only two states in the country that do not allow concealed carry. The House Agriculture and Conservation Committee advanced two versions of the legislation by an 11-1 vote. One version would require the Illinois State Police to issue the concealed carry permits; the other would task county sherrifs with issuing permits. Both bills would require permit applicants to be "law-abiding citizens" and to complete a training course in handgun use, safety, marksmanship and laws pertaining to firearm use. "It's high time Illinois join the overwhelming majority" of states that allow concealed carry, said Todd Vandermyde, legislative liaison for the National Rifle Association. "Forty-eight other states can't be wrong." Vandermyde said carrying a handgun is critical for self-defense. "If I don't have the ability to have a firearm on my side, I don't have a fighting chance," he said. Opponents, however, said more access to guns creates only more risk of death and injury and that concealed weapons do not lower crime rates. Chris Boyster, downstate director for the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, said that Missouri is a concealed carry state but that crime rates in St. Louis have worsened since the law went into effect. "Crime has not gone down in the city of St. Louis; in fact, it continues to increase," Boyster said. "Concealed carry did not deter crime rates to go down. ... In fact, one year, I believe (St. Louis) was ranked as the murder capitol of the United States."