Illinois House votes to allow residents to carry concealed guns

Chicago Tribune ^ | May 24, 2013 | Joanne Von Alroth

[re_tail20]

The Illinois House of Representatives on Friday voted overwhelmingly to allow residents to carry concealed guns, taking the state one step closer to joining all others in allowing some form of carrying guns in public.

Illinois is the only state in the nation to ban most people from carrying a concealed gun outside the home. Lawmakers acted on Friday after a federal appeals court in January struck down the ban, saying it violated the right to bear arms enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. The court gave the state six months to pass a new law that would be constitutional.

The National Rifle Association stayed silent on the proposal in order to avoid antagonizing some lawmakers who did not want to be seen voting for a plan backed by the gun lobby.

But if the proposal backed by powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan becomes law, it would achieve the NRA's longtime goal of ending the Illinois ban and making some form of concealed carry legal in all 50 states.

[KeyLargo]

ISRA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MEMORIAL DAY MESSAGE

As we all gather with friends and family this Memorial Day Weekend, we need to take time to pause and ponder what the day is all about.

Memorial Day is more than just the beginning of the summer season - it’s a time to reflect on the sacrifices many have made to establish, and preserve the freedoms that have provided this nation with bounty seen by no other.

If you visit a national cemetery this weekend, you can almost hear the whispers of those that came before us. Listen carefully and you’ll hear their pleas to us to protect the special gift of liberty paid for with their blood.

When observing Memorial Day, it’s important to keep in mind that soldiers, past and present, fought to defend our entire Constitution - not just the bits and pieces found fashionable on any particular day. Sadly, the sacrifices of millions of good Americans have been sullied by those who attack our Second Amendment, claiming it is irrelevant, outdated, and dangerous.

The sacrifices of so many brave men and women should serve as inspiration to us to fight on to protect the Second Amendment. The knowledge that so many gave so much should steel our resolve to defeat those whose politics demand that our right to keep and bear arms be diminished.

To attack the Second Amendment is to attack our entire Constitution and the liberties it has engendered. Whether an attack on our Constitution originates from abroad, or whether it is uttered on the floor of the Congress is inconsequential. One attack is no different than any other. As Americans, we must stand up and vigorously defend our rights and push back those who would infringe upon our freedoms.

In closing, I ask you to do two things this weekend. First, celebrate the freedoms for which others fought so valiantly. Second, honor the sacrifices of our troops by recommitting yourself to the tireless defense of our nation’s Constitution and the guiding principles upon which this nation was founded.

Richard Pearson
ISRA Executive Director

[Condor51]

*** We need to see the details of this Bill. ***

Howdy, I read the Bill. Link was in the Slum-Times or Trib one day last week. I found it through 'Second City Cop'.

IMO there's some 'problems' in it. For one the CCW Permit Cost itself and all the other costs involved for all the Certifying you need done. And the way its written on 'mental health' is murky; Wasn't clear if everyone needs a letter from a Shrink 'certifying you're okay', or only those that have had 'Mental Issues' in the past five years. Natch it *should be* the latter. But here in IL who the heck knows.

But it's the only dang thing that will be close to passing over Gov Potato Head's and 'our'(/s) Murder Mayor, Tiny Dancer 9.5 objections. (the IL Senate will fold to Madigan, they just have to blow smoke now for show)

Cocked, locked, and ready to Rock!
[getting used to the weight of that 1911 on my belt now, I wear it around the house for hours]

[generally]

My favorite thing about this is that it is happening as a result of the huge nationwide push by the dems to further restrict our 2A rights.

This is a huge slap in the face to all the anti-Constitutionalist gun-grabbers out there!

[generally]

Thanks for the map.

This is one place I’d like to see the red disappear. In fact, I’d like to see it go green. A US citizen shouldn’t have to worry about carrying across state lines. I ought to be able to get in my car and drive anywhere in the US with my gun without having to worry about violating a law because I’ve crossed a state border.

[Lurker]

1911, eh? Another Freeper of taste and refinement I see. I’ve got a stainless steel Commander model that’s just itching for some fresh air.

[max americana]

“If no bill is signed into law by June 9, and they adjourn next week, it will be de facto legal concealed carry anywhere in Illinois, even in Cook County and Chicago.”

Thanks for the info, bud.

[Jack Hydrazine]

Agreed.

I consider having to get permission from the State to carry concealed as a form of gun registration.

The Founding Fathers seemed to be of the opinion that the 2nd Amendment could be concealed or unconcealed.