Friday, January 30, 2009
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Rep. Mitchell backs concealed-carry rights for gun owners

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[January 30, 2009]  At a press conference Thursday, state Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, called for passage of concealed-carry legislation for law-abiding gun owners.

Mitchell believes downstate lawmakers need to unite in support of concealed carry in order to get the legislation approved.

"For too long, downstate Illinois has taken a back seat to the interests of Chicago," Mitchell said. "Last November, citizens in 10 downstate counties approved referenda advising the General Assembly to pass a concealed-carry law. I'm urging my downstate colleagues to stand together so we can overcome the objections of anti-gun Chicago politicians and give people the right to defend themselves."

Illinois is one of only two states that do not have any procedures in place for law-abiding citizens to apply for concealed-carry permits. While concealed-carry legislation is frequently filed in the Illinois General Assembly, such legislation rarely advances beyond the committee stage. Opposition from Mayor Daley and Chicago politicians has kept the concealed-carry legislation bottled up in the House Rules Committee.

"It's hypocritical for these politicians to oppose concealed carry for the average citizen when Chicago aldermen are allowed to carry concealed firearms," said Mitchell. "I think downstaters should stick together and tell the powers that be that we're not going to go along with their plans when we get nothing in return."

Mitchell plans to file concealed-carry legislation this week and indicated he will lobby fellow downstate legislators to support the legislation.

[Text from file received from Rep. Bill Mitchell]

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