 State Reps. Adam Brown, R-Decatur, and Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, are
co-sponsors of
House Bill 148, which creates the Family and Personal Protection
Act and establishes statewide standards for the issuance of licenses
to carry concealed firearms in Illinois. HB 148 failed on a vote of
65-32-1. The bill needed a three-fifths majority, or 71 votes, to
pass."I am unbelievably disappointed that concealed-carry failed
to pass," Brown said. "It is extremely frustrating that the Chicago
politicians continue to dictate our state's gun laws. I will always
support the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners.
Downstate legislators will continue to stand up to the Chicago
politicians and demand that our constitutional rights be upheld."
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. In the 2008 Heller decision, the U.S.
Supreme Court recognized gun ownership as an individual right. Last
year, the Supreme Court overturned Chicago's long-standing gun ban.
Mitchell believes the recent rulings by the Supreme Court should
overrule the parliamentary ruling by Chicago Speaker Michael Madigan
that concealed-carry requires a three-fifths majority to pass.
"The Supreme Court reaffirmed our Second Amendment rights,"
Mitchell said. "If 48 other states can have responsible
concealed-carry laws, so can Illinois. People should have the right
to defend themselves and their property from criminals. The Supreme
Court and the U.S. Constitution trump any partisan ruling by Speaker
Madigan concerning home-rule powers. It's outrageous that the
speaker continues to require an extraordinary majority for passage
of concealed carry."
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House Bill 148 would allow the Illinois State Police to issue
concealed-carry licenses to individuals who meet certain age
requirements, complete a series of training courses and pass
criminal background checks, among other requirements. The bill also
includes provisions that exclude concealed carry of a firearm in
certain locations, including schools, courthouses, government
buildings, churches, libraries, bars, stadiums and gambling venues.
The legislation also allows business owners to prohibit concealed
carry on their property.
HB 148 was placed on postponed consideration, meaning it can be
called again for a vote at any time.
[Text from file sent on behalf of
Rep. Bill
Mitchell by Illinois
House Republican staff]
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