 Similar legislation has been defeated in the past, but lawmakers
have not given up. Some lawmakers in both chambers have introduced a
slew of proposals to expand gun ownership rights.
House Bill 112,
House Bill 148 and
Senate Bill 82 are similar pieces of legislation, all of which
would allow the county sheriff to issue permits to authorize the
possession of concealed firearms. Applicants for the permit must be
at least 21 and meet certain requirements, such as completing
classes and training for live-firing exercises.
State Sen. Kyle McCarter, R-Highland, co-sponsor of SB 82, said
the majority of the people in his district support the right to
carry firearms. He said the Supreme Court's ruling made that clear.
"I think the courts rule for a reason," McCarter said. "And now
that they've ruled in the McDonald case, I think it is evident we
should put this law into place just like 48 other states."
McCarter was referring to McDonald v. Chicago, a case in which
Otis McDonald and others challenged the city of Chicago's
prohibition on handgun registration and the requirement that guns be
registered before the weapon could be acquired by Chicago residents.
The case also challenged Chicago's rule that required guns to be
re-registered each year with an annual fee and be permanently
restricted from re-registration if the registration lapsed. The case
was decided in McDonald's favor by the Supreme Court on June 28.
Illinois and Wisconsin are the only two states that do not have
concealed-carry laws.
State Rep. Daniel Beiser, D-Alton, wants Illinois to join the
other states to allow the right to bear arms.
The Second Amendment in the U.S. Constitution provides that "the
right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
Beiser, co-sponsor of HB 148, said he has been supportive of
Second Amendment rights since he took office in 2004.
"Concealed-carry, to me, is something that has been sorely needed
in this state," Beiser said. "The fact that we are one of two states
that doesn't have it just speaks volumes. And I believe that
law-abiding citizens that are willing to go through the necessary
steps that this bill will put in place should be able to have a gun
on themselves to take care of themselves in times when their safety
is in peril."
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However, critics of concealed-carry laws say easy access to
firearms would lead to more violence, though no one was able to
speak before a House panel on Tuesday, because the bill was not
called for debate.
Supporters don't agree that concealed-carry laws equal more
violence.
"Simply outlawing guns does not keep guns out of criminals’ hands
and those that choose to break the law," Beiser said.
State Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, agreed.
"Guns don't kill people," Forby said. "People kill people."
Forby, who is chief sponsor of SB 82, said people would need to
go through extensive checks before getting permits for guns. Among
other requirements, the proposed plan would require a full set of
fingerprints and a color photograph of the person applying for the
permit.
"It is not just going out there and giving people guns," Forby
said. "They got to go through tests and regulations to get this."
State Rep. Patrick Verschoore, D-Milan, co-sponsor of HB 148,
said people in his district have shown strong support for a
concealed-carry law.
"Most of the hunters are for the concealed-carry," Verschoore
said. "I have lawyers that have contacted me. I have doctors I shoot
clay birds with that have contacted me and have asked me to support
it. ... I just think it is something that it is time we look at it,
and if we have the votes, we'll pass it."
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By DIANE S.W. LEE]
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