Illinois finally allows civilian concealed carry of handguns. They were the last state in the union to completely ban civilian concealed carry but they joined the other 49 states and the carry applications are rolling in.
Only DC left as a legal "no carry!"...fiefdom. Locale? DC isn't a state but you know what I meant.
Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a DKos group of second amendment supporters who have progressive and liberal values. We don't think that being a liberal means one has to be anti-gun. Some of us are extreme in our second amendment views (no licensing, no restrictions on small arms) and some of us are more moderate (licensing, restrictions on small arms.) Moderate or extreme or somewhere in between, we hold one common belief: more gun control equals lost elections. We don't want a repeat of 1994. We are an inclusive group: if you see the Second Amendment as safeguarding our right to keep and bear arms individually, then come join us in our conversation. If you are against the right to keep and bear arms, come join our conversation. We look forward to seeing you, as long as you engage in a civil discussion.
Let's take a look at some of the numbers out there for the new concealed carry permit.
link
State Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said that while more than 16,000 applicants have cleared the first hurdle in the application process, the detailed checks are just beginning. She said before anyone receives final approval, the agency will have examined as many as a dozen criminal databases.
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About 7,000 applications were received since mid-December, when firearms instructors and some others were allowed start applying. Then, on Jan. 5, the first day the process was opened to everyone else, more than 4,500 applications came in. Since then, Bond says, the agency has been receiving more than 1,000 applications per day.
Sounds like things are off to a hot and heavy start in the Land of Lincoln. Now, if they actually recognize Michigan permits, I won't have to ride around the Illinois border anymore.
Faux News Link
But state Rep. Brandon Phelps, a sponsor of the legislation, said 30 days is long enough for local law enforcement to submit objections to the state panel made up of former prosecutors, judges and others. He also says it isn't necessary to provide additional funds since local law enforcement isn't involved with issuing the permits.
Further, he and others said that because applicants have already passed background checks to obtain the state's Firearm Owners Identification cards, the state could find itself in court if the panel upholds scores of local objections.
"You can't start denying people if they haven't been arrested or convicted of anything," agreed Richard Pearson, executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association.
I guess the legislature should've spent less time gumming up the works and more time laying out funding so everyone is handled in a timely manner.
I'm glad to see that Illinois joins over 40 states to have shall issue (or better) concealed carry on the books. Concealed carry permit holders are convicted of crime less than police are. I'm sure there are those in the great state of Illinois who will now be able to avail themselves of this new law and protect themselves if needed.