Debate Rages On Local Concealed Gun Laws
From the Associated Press
With just 40 days before a federal court-ordered deadline to enact a law allowing public possession of firearms, Illinois Gov. Patrick J. Quinn is holding fast to the notion that decisions about who may carry guns — and where — should be made at city hall, not by a statewide standard.
But the reality in the Statehouse is that majority Democrats are having difficulty convincing lawmakers to leave any gun decisions to local control, even if it's just for Chicago and Cook County, let alone giving police chiefs and county sheriffs statewide veto power.
A federal appeals court in December ruled that the state's last-in-the-nation ban on the carrying of concealed weapons is unconstitutional and gave lawmakers until June 9 to legalize the practice.
Gun owners are adamant that the law be uniform across Illinois. They want the General Assembly to produce a "shall issue" bill, requiring permits be issued to most anyone who obtains the necessary training and passes background checks. Gun-control forces favor "may issue" measures that give law enforcement officials veto power.
Quinn, a Chicago Democrat, reiterated his position last week that cities with so-called "home rule" decision-making authority should be able to decide public gun possession within their limits.
Read more in our daily News Update...
From the Associated Press
With just 40 days before a federal court-ordered deadline to enact a law allowing public possession of firearms, Illinois Gov. Patrick J. Quinn is holding fast to the notion that decisions about who may carry guns — and where — should be made at city hall, not by a statewide standard.
But the reality in the Statehouse is that majority Democrats are having difficulty convincing lawmakers to leave any gun decisions to local control, even if it's just for Chicago and Cook County, let alone giving police chiefs and county sheriffs statewide veto power.
A federal appeals court in December ruled that the state's last-in-the-nation ban on the carrying of concealed weapons is unconstitutional and gave lawmakers until June 9 to legalize the practice.
Gun owners are adamant that the law be uniform across Illinois. They want the General Assembly to produce a "shall issue" bill, requiring permits be issued to most anyone who obtains the necessary training and passes background checks. Gun-control forces favor "may issue" measures that give law enforcement officials veto power.
Quinn, a Chicago Democrat, reiterated his position last week that cities with so-called "home rule" decision-making authority should be able to decide public gun possession within their limits.
Read more in our daily News Update...