CARTERVILLE -- Voters in several Illinois communities voted overwhelmingly last night in support of concealed carry legislation. The advisory referendum won't change any laws, but it will send a message to lawmakers. The measure passed in 10 of 14 counties where it was considered. In our region Jefferson, Franklin, Union and Saline counties said "yes." Illinois is one of only two states in the country without concealed carry legislation. Every state legislator from our area is an outspoken supporter of concealed carry, but they admit there's a problem. And that's the biggest city in the state.
Don Gunnell is what you'd call a gun expert. As a retired police officer of 40 years he's allowed to carry a concealed weapon. He says it helps him feel safe and he'd like the same for everyone.
"I am for concealed carry, again with the stipulation that they do have the training before hand," said Gunnell.
Gunnell says proper training is a must, otherwise there could be uneasiness with firearms. Gunnell says gun clubs like the one in Williamson County provide that training. Proponents of concealed carry hope the recent success of the referendum in 10 Illinois counties will send a message to lawmakers in Springfield. But State Senator Gary Forby says lawmakers in Chicago should be the real target.
"Well they're a big road block, they've always been a road block because they've got 65 percent of the votes in Chicago," said Forby.
Forby says every legislator south of Interstate 80 supports some type of concealed carry legislation. But every year lawmakers from Chicago get in the way.
"If Chicago don't like guns, that's fine, just leave us alone and let us have ours," said Forby.
Forby says one option may be to allow concealed carry for everywhere but Chicago. Gunnell spent 30 years as a cop in Chicago, and he doesn't like that idea.
"So all the bad guys can go to Chicago and do their thing, no," said Gunnell.
Forby says the General Assembly has tried to pass concealed carry every year and failed. But passing this referendum in 10 counties will help the cause.
By Ryan Kruger
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Don Gunnell is what you'd call a gun expert. As a retired police officer of 40 years he's allowed to carry a concealed weapon. He says it helps him feel safe and he'd like the same for everyone.
"I am for concealed carry, again with the stipulation that they do have the training before hand," said Gunnell.
Gunnell says proper training is a must, otherwise there could be uneasiness with firearms. Gunnell says gun clubs like the one in Williamson County provide that training. Proponents of concealed carry hope the recent success of the referendum in 10 Illinois counties will send a message to lawmakers in Springfield. But State Senator Gary Forby says lawmakers in Chicago should be the real target.
"Well they're a big road block, they've always been a road block because they've got 65 percent of the votes in Chicago," said Forby.
Forby says every legislator south of Interstate 80 supports some type of concealed carry legislation. But every year lawmakers from Chicago get in the way.
"If Chicago don't like guns, that's fine, just leave us alone and let us have ours," said Forby.
Forby says one option may be to allow concealed carry for everywhere but Chicago. Gunnell spent 30 years as a cop in Chicago, and he doesn't like that idea.
"So all the bad guys can go to Chicago and do their thing, no," said Gunnell.
Forby says the General Assembly has tried to pass concealed carry every year and failed. But passing this referendum in 10 counties will help the cause.
By Ryan Kruger
[email protected]
Source: Link Removed
It's as if the island got safer once my client was safely on the airplane and leaving the state.
