Illinois lawmakers want to add places where people can carry concealed guns

St. Louis Post Dispatch ^ | 3/8/16 | A.P.

[Graybeard58]

Illinois legislators from both parties are continuing to fine-tune the state's concealed carry law nearly three years after it was passed.

Legislators have proposed including public transportation, courthouses, interstate highway rest areas, public parks and athletic facilities as areas in which permit holders are allowed to carry a concealed weapon, the State Journal-Register reported.

In July 2013, Illinois became the last state to pass a concealed carry law. Since then, there have been some changes to the law, but none regarding the areas where concealed carry is allowed.

"It's a work in progress in terms of making sure our Second Amendment rights are protected in Illinois," said Democratic state Rep. John Bradley of Marion, who co-sponsored the original bill. "When you have something that big of a landmark and that important, you want to make sure you get it right."

The House bill that would allow for concealed carry on public transportation is sponsored by Democratic state Rep. Jerry Costello of Smithton.

"There are many individuals throughout the state of Illinois who rely on public transit as their primary mode of transportation," he said. "I do not believe their Second Amendment rights should be infringed upon simply because they take a train or bus rather than driving their own vehicle."

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But the Chicago Transit Authority, the nation's second largest public transportation system, is worried the proposal would "bring an increased and significant safety risk to both customers and employees," said spokesman Jeff Tolman.

Another House bill would allow a circuit or associate judge, state's attorney or assistant state's attorney to carry a weapon within the courthouse but not inside the courtroom.

Anti-gun groups, including the Illinois Council against Handgun Violence, have spoken out against all proposed expansions to the concealed carry law.

[WENDLE]

They are specifically including in the permissive venues any Trump campaign rally.

[Blackirish]

The CTA is worse then the bad neighborhoods in Chicago. You never see a cop...and the thugs know it. If they can’t afford to put undercover cops on the CTA then concealed carry is the only answer.

[Boogieman]

But the Chicago Transit Authority, the nation’s second largest public transportation system, is worried the proposal would “bring an increased and significant safety risk to both customers and employees,” said spokesman Jeff Tolman.

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Nonsense. Criminals are already riding the CTA with their guns. The only ones who are disarmed right now are the future victims.

[CrazyIvan]

I wish they would allow in rest stops. I have been assaulted once at an Illinois rest stop and probably avoided a second time by acting like I had a gun under my jacket.

[bigbob]

Belt holster, shoulder holster, inside waistband holster, fanny pack...

[Lurker]

These are all good steps forward as far as I’m concerned. The lost of prohibited places should be far, far shorter.

L

[Mr Apple]

Everyone should be able to walk around with their uzi’s at their sides.

[The Toad]

RE: But the Chicago Transit Authority, the nation's second largest public transportation system, is worried the proposal would "bring an increased and significant safety risk to both customers and employees," said spokesman Jeff Tolman.

Based on what? Stats show that you are safer with a gun. Shouldn't laws be based on facts and not on opinion?

[libstripper]

Good move. Even if a stage passes a highly restrictive shall issue CCW law, the people quickly adapt to it and come to like it; thus initially restrictive laws are loosened over time.

[skimbell]

A year or so ago my cousin was robbed at gunpoint by one of obama's sons on a CTA train.

I guess the thugs didn't know that they weren't supposed to have a gun on the choo-choo.

[RKBA Democrat]

Uzi? Pfffft.

Ma deuce.

[DoughtyOne]