Tuesday, February 10, 2009

CCW bill introduced in Illinois

From the state that gave us Rod Blagojevich, Dick Daley, and Barack Obama:
State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, announced he recently introduced a bill to establish statewide standards for permits to carry concealed firearms in Illinois.

“Forty-eight states have some form of concealed carry and it is time Illinoisans have the right to better defense themselves and their property,” Bradley said in a news release. “Illinois needs to catch up with the rest of the nation. Responsible gun owners deserve the right to protect themselves and their families.”

Bradley said his bill — House Bill 245, the Family and Personal Protection Act — would authorize Illinois State Police to issue concealed firearms permits to applicants who meet qualifications.

Article here. Interestingly, Rep. Bradley is a Democrat. We'll have to see if this bill goes anywhere, besides the circular file typical of pro-gun bills in that state.

At least the Illinois Sheriffs are on record as supporting licensed concealed carry:
St. Clair County Sheriff Mearl Justus is backing a bill to allow Illinois residents to carry a concealed weapon.

"In today's society the citizens should be able to protect themselves and their families," Justus said in a prepared statement.

"As a law enforcement officer with over 54 years of service it is my opinion that anyone wishing to carry a concealed handgun, for their personal protection, must participate in a training course," he said. "I believe to be successful the key to concealed carry is training."

House Bill 245, the Family and Personal Protection Act, was introduced Jan. 20 by state Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion. If passed, the bill would establish statewide standards for issuing permits to carry concealed firearms in Illinois.

Missouri and 47 other states have already legalized concealed carry. Only Illinois and Wisconsin have no form of concealed-carry handgun laws.

On Tuesday the Illinois Sheriffs' Association unanimously passed a resolution supporting a concealed-carry handgun law, the first time the association has passed such a resolution since it was founded in 1928. Ninety percent of Illinois sheriffs, when surveyed by the association, said they "support concealed carry in Illinois if adequate training and safeguards are included." [emphasis added]

Article here.

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