Concealed Carry

Concealed Carry
48 other states can't be wrong!

Illinoisians speak out about Concealed Carry!

Illinois State Journal - Springfield - August 11, 2007

Illinois should have concealed-carry law

I am writing in to support Blake Ruggles' letter regarding a concealed-weapon law here in Illinois.

I wanted to encourage people who are against concealed carry to please take the time to read a new study that was done by criminologists Don Kates and Gary Mauser that was published this spring in the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy. It's titled "Would Banning Firearms Reduce Murder and Suicide?" Kates is a retired professor of constitutional and criminal law and Mauser has a Ph.D. from the University of California and is a professor at the Simon Fraser University in Canada. You can find the printed study at: www.garymauser.net (then click on papers). The results of this study suggest that banning firearms is not going to reduce crime.

I also encourage those against conceal carry to question why is it that 48 other states already have a form of a concealed-carry law in place. If you ask the average person, they are not even aware that 48 other states allow this. Only two states do not, one ot them being Illinois. What is also interesting to me is that the poll done on the topic by the SJ-R on July 30 resulted in 68.9 percent voting YES for a concealed-carry law.

Angela Morse
Springfield

Illinois State Journal - Springfield - August 8, 2007

Criminals not likely to obey gun laws

Allow me to comment on the article from July 30 regarding Chicago police officer Ron Holt and the death of his son due to gun violence.

First, my condolences to officer Holt and the mother of his son. That being said, I can assure you Mr. Holt, grieving over the loss of a child is not exclusive to the victims of gun violence. There is no good way to lose a child and the end result is always painful and permanent.

The sad fact, officer Holt, is you should know better than anyone that you cannot expect a criminal to comply with gun laws. These laws are oppressive and overbearing for law-abiding citizens who simply wish to own firearms for protection or sporting purposes.

Priest Pfleger, you have a lot of nerve preaching the moral high ground to gun owners. May I remind you the Catholic Church recently paid out more than $600 million for abuse to children! Priest Pfleger, when you guys get your closet cleaned out you can worry about what's in mine!!

Mayor Richard Daley, you seem to be upset that downstate Democrats won't support your anti-gun agenda. Why should they? The whole t south of Interstate 80 has less homicides than your city!

As far as simple quarrels escalating into homicides, maybe a little parental involvement in the lives of Chicago's youth would go a long way toward alleviating this crisis.

Lance Gilbert
Sherman

Illinois State Journal Register - Springfield - May 14, 2007

Illinois needs a concealed-carry law

Illinois liberal Democrats are at it again.

Senate Bill 1007 is just another anti-gun agenda item to curtail gun ownership. The events in Virginia are sad, to say the least. However, if Seung-Hui Cho only had 10-round clips, do you honestly believe the outcome would have been any different? The event transpired only because the system failed. His mental health status was in question but not raised to a level of being in the national database. This was fully preventable without any new laws -- simply enforce what you have.

As for the shooting rampage in Chicago -- by Joe Jackson in a law firm, no less -- it was fully preventable if citizens were permitted to carry a concealed weapon.

Law abiding gun owners do not perform acts like this. More laws are only going to hamper law-abiding citizens, not the criminals who will ignore your laws, as they do now. With Illinoi and Wisconsin being the only two states without concealed-carry permits, how long do you believe it will be until our state becomes the crime capitol of the United States?

Even the staunch liberals in Washington, D.C., have finally come to their senses and begun going against the anti-gun movement. Maybe the politicians were tired of being outgunned in their own homes by criminals.

Simply put, your laws do not guarantee my life existence. I have to work for it. There is only one real solution: Illinois with a CCW permit status equal to that of Florida or Texas. Only then will you see a drop in crime. If a criminals knows not whether his victim has CCW or not, there is an elevated risk to his own bodily injury or death, which is a far greater deterrent than any law you pass.

Bill Day
Martinsville

Concealed carry won't result in shootouts

Illinois State Journal Register - Springfield - April 30, 2007

Regarding Michelle Montag Lowy's letter Wednesday concerning firearms: Her opinions are obtuse and totally off-base.

The common factors in all public shootings are:

1. An armed assailant, intent on shooting victims.

2. The assailant is the only person with a gun.

Lowy's assumptions about events she thinks would occur with an armed citizenry are ridiculous and unfounded. In the 48 states where concealed carry is lawful , lawless shootouts by legally armed citizens are not occurring. Illinois is one of the unenlightened states. Further, statistics reflect fewer killings and other crimes in concealed carry states.

In countries where governments stripped their citizens of gun rights, government tyranny and violence have pevailed. Witness Nazi Germany, where government imposed gun conrol was the beginning of well-documented horrors against innocents.

In the United States, there are millions of reported incidents each year in which firearms were used by armed citizens to save lives and prevent criminal acts; reporting of these events is suppressed in the general media. Gun-control laws ensure that only criminals and the government will have guns. Such laws allow free rein to criminals and even the most vigilant police officers won't be able to respond until you are already dead or injured.

The gun-control mentality is responsible for public shootings in which an armed person has the freedom to shoot victim after victim, knowing that he/she will not face equal force any time soon. At Virginia Tech, the gunman actually took a two-hour break and then facing no opposition, killed many more people. Outrageous!

If Lowy is ever confronted by an armed assailant, there's no doubt she would be grateful if an armed citizen saved her. I resent the ignorance perpetrated by the gun-control crowd that would deprive law-abiding people of effective self-defense.

Joanne Scattoloni
Springfield

Americans will always need guns, like it or not

Illinois State Journal Register - Springfield - April 30, 2007

A recent writer's letter cited the statement, "Get rid of handguns to protect the safety of others." Whose safety?" Certainly not mine or my family's. One firearm in the hands of a state-certified CCW licensee may have made a difference at Virginia Tech. The gun-free zone environment is exactly what the Virginia Tech shooter needed to exact mass murder on helpless, defenseless victims.

The police, in most cases, are an afterthought. Violent crimes happen now, right where you are. Nine-one-one is great if you have a secure place and a good handgun or shotgun protecting you until police arrive. In homes not protected by a firearm, it's hard to throw a phone or swing a baseball bat in defense during armed home invasion.

Violent criminals and terrorists understand one thing only -- use of deadly force. I am amazed at American citizens who are offended by others choosing to protect themselves. The right to arms is not for mere hunting or target shooting purposes, the Founders intended this right for protection from enemies, foreign and domestic. Terrorists can be foreign or domestic; violent criminals are domestic enemies of civil society.

Law enforcement/military have shown in several instances from Hurrican Andrew, the L.A. riots, Hurricane Katrina and other disasters, government and rule of law are out the window and civilians are on their own.

Privately owned firearms, guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, held off looters, plunderers, rapists and murderers until law and order was restored. These firearms included handguns, those awful so-called assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition-feeding devices.

The Founding Fathers knew there would be those who would try to strip us of our arms. The British government tried and thankfully failed to disarm the colonies. Americans will always need arms, like it or not.

Timothy J. Wright
Rochester

Office Shooting has Some Calling For More Weapons

Advocates Renew Effort For Concealed Gun Law

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Mike Parker
Reporting

(CBS) CHICAGO A gunman's rampage at a downtown law firm last week has gun advocates renewing an old push for a change in Illinois law.

As CBS 2's Mike Parker reports, some people say more weapons will actually reduce crime.

Let People Defend Themselves, Second Amendment Group Says
By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Senior Editor
December 11, 2006

(CNSNews.com) - The Illinois State Rifle Association says it will draft legislation allowing law-abiding citizens to carry firearms for their own defense.

The concealed carry legislation -- a response to Friday's deadly shooting in a downtown Chicago law office -- will be introduced in both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly early next year, ISRA said.

"One has to wonder how the outcome may have differed had any of the law office staff been trained and licensed to carry a defensive firearm," said ISRA Executive Director, Richard Pearson.

"Unfortunately, the answer to that question will remain unknown as Illinois is one of only 2 states in the nation that prohibit law abiding citizens from carrying firearms as a means of self defense."

Pearson said the people in the law office at least would have had a "fighting chance to survive," if any of them had been carrying guns themselves on Friday when an armed man with a grudge burst into the office.

IL: Citigroup Building Tragedy Spurs Renewed Call for Concealed Carry Legislation
12/10/2006

In response to Friday's tragedy, the Illinois State Rifle Association will be drafting legislation that will provide well trained, law-abiding citizens the opportunity to carry defensive firearms. That legislation will be introduced into both chambers of the General Assembly early next year.

Whereas those lobbying against concealed carry laws can muster only invective and hyperbole to support their opposition, the facts undeniably demonstrate that reduction in violent crime accompanies the implementation of laws allowing citizens to carry defensive firearms. It is time for the Illinois General Assembly to recognize that citizens can be trusted with the awesome responsibility of defending themselves, their homes, and their families.

Honest people should be able to arm themselves

Illinois State Journal-Register (Springfield) 12/8/06.

Obviously, Rev. Weitzel, you read the State Journal-Register so you have to be familiar with a guy named Gregory Hollum, Springfield's own accused serial armed robber. The system repeatedly gave this thug chance after chance to terrorize the honest citizens of Springfield.

You ask if America is on its way to becoming an armed camp. One hundred firty years ago, when the majority of Americans were armed, we didn't have to worry about theft, rape and murder nearly as much as we do today. Nobody gave unlocked doors a second thought.

You state we have millions of alcoholics, drug addicts, sociopaths and people with anger and rage problems that you don't want armed. I don't know how long its been since you've purchased a firearm, if ever, but all these issues are addressed on the form you fill out to purchase a firearm. If you lie, you are a criminal.

The problem is that it's against the law to use illegal drugs, steal or murder and yet it's done daily. Not by law-abiding citizens, but by illegally armed criminals! The question you need to answer is, do you stand with the Gregory Hullums of the world? Or do you stand with the honest good people of the world?

It's time the honest, good people of Illinois be given the opportunity to protect themselves!

Lance Gilbert
Sherman

Criminals are armed; give citizens the option

Illinois State Journal-Register (Springfield) 12/8/06

This is in response to the Rev. Dr. Eugene Weitzel's letter, "Why is it necessary to let people secretly be armed?"

Look at how the crime has risen around you.

The average person believes that "concealed carry" will turn our state into a "Wild West." That is so far from truth. Forty-eight other states already have some form of concealed carry. Do you really think that the criminals in the other 48 states had gun permits when they committed their crimes?

The concealed-carry permit is just that, a permit. The permit can only be obtained after completing a gun education class and other qualifying factors. The criminals are the ones who are carrying guns as we speak. Do you think that if a concealed-carry permit was passed here in Illinois that all those criminals out there are going to run out and get a permit to do their deed? No! They already have them!

I believe that our United States Constitution granted me that right. It is the Second Amendment.

You state that if we find concealed carry necessary , we must ask ourselves why and get to the root of the problem. You are right. And we need to start with our judicial system. These criminals are being allowed back on the street, crime after crime. Why is that? Because we are running out of room to house them and money to pay for it.

Please know that I am a law-abiding citizen. I do not have a drug or alcohol problem. I do not live on the streets. I pay my taxes and my bills and I vote. I am very inclined to being secretly armed. Why shouldn't I? The criminals already are.

Angela Morse
Springfield

Concealed-carry law must be well-written to work

Illinois State Journal-Register (Springfield) 12/3/06

I have no intention of beginning a prolonged dialetic process over the pros and cons of a cocealed-weapons law for Illinois; however, I would like to enlighten the lady who feels so threatened by the thought of Illinois having such a law, as expressed in her Wednesday letter.

The concealed-weapons law for the state of Florida is very strict in permitting the issuing of permits. One must meet the qualifications listed below as well as understanding the responsibilities that are entailed with this permit:

1.    Must be 21 years of age.
2.    Must not have a record as a felon.
3.    Must not be under a restraining order for domestic violence.
4.    Must not have a record for the abuse of a controlled substance.
5.    Must not be a chronic and/or habitual user of alcoholic beverages that have impaired behavior.
6.    Must not have been adjudicated an incompetent.
7.    Must not have been committed to a mental institution.
8    Must have been trained in firearm proficiency.
9.    Must understand that one can only carry a concealed weapon for the purpose of lawful self-defense.
10. Must undergo a complete investigation by the police authorities.

I would also point out that it is against the concealed-weapons law to carry a concealed weapon to a bar, an athletic contest, school, university, jail, courtroom, police station, any meeting of a governing body, airport, bus terminal, train station or any place where a firearm is prohibited by federal law.

I realize that this is lengthy, but I feel that this information would be a public service for the readers to cause them to realize that a well-structured concealed-weapons law would not establish a "Wild West" society.

Harry L. Page
Springfield

Illinois should pass concealed carry now

Illinois State Journal-Register (Springfield) 12/1/06

Some of those in the anti-self-defense movement say that passage of concealed-carry laws would create a Wild West atmosphere. We should be so lucky.

A law-abiding citizen in Dodge City was over 10 times less likely to be murdered than he would be in our strictest modern gun control jurisdictions. While Wild West authorities were as unable as modern authorities to keep guns out of the hands of bad guys, they didn't try to keep them out of the hands of good guys. Law enforcement didn't waste time going after good guys who made errors in registration forms. Instead, they went after the bad guys and ultimately tamed the West.

No victim of crime should be required to surrender his or her life, health, safety, personal dignity or give up their property to a criminal, nor should a victim be required to retreat in the face of attack. Citizens also have a right to expect safety within their own homes or vehicles.

As one of the last holdouts to concealed carry in the nation, it is time for Illinois to enter the 21st century and pass a non-discretionary concealed-carry law that allows law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families.

James Butler
Springfield

Illinois State Journal-Register (Springfield) 11/16/06
Our Opinion - Editorial
Concealed carry not likely any time soon

We are not shocked that 70 percent of those readers who responded to our recent news poll question answered that, yes, Illinois should adopt a law that would allow citizens to conceal and carry guns.

In fact, we are actually a bit surprised the "yes" vote wasn't even larger given recent happenings.

For the past several days, Springfield has watched anxiously as the Springfield Police Department beefed up patrols to find one of the more brazen robbers of recent memory. Fortunately, the police think they got the guy responsible for the crime wave.

Springfield police arrested Gregory Hullum, 37, Tuesday night on charges he is the man who committed 10 armed robberies in the city since last Thursday. One robbery victim last week was shot in the abdomen and seriously wounded.

Such a heinous crime spree had many Springfield residents nervous about even ducking into a convenience store for a carton of milk. It also had many people wishing it were legal to arm themselves in public with a gun. Making important decisions in the heat of the moment is seldom a good idea. The recent armed robbery spree does not prove that everyone needs to walk around with a gun. Whether to allow for concealed carry is a complex debate.

But let us commend the local police for their work on this matter. Anyone listening to police scanners the last few days knows that it was a tense and hectic time for law enforcement. In a situation like this, police cannot act quickly enough to please people. There were plenty of critics asking why the robber had not been caught.

But the outcome was a good one. Thanks in large part to the fact that trained, law enforcement professionals were in charge, the alleged robber was apprehended, apparently without more gunfire or violence.

We suppose it's a backhanded compliment, but it's sort of nice that Springfield can still get this upset over a series of armed robberies. That's police blotter news in a lot of larger cities. Here it's still screaming headlines on Page One.

That's a good thing. Fear was only one emotion created by these crimes. People were also offended. You don't shoot guys in the stomach and rob old ladies in our town and get away with it - at least we hope you don't.

So, it's not a shock that the reaction of a lot of people was wanting to strap a .38 or .45 on and find the scum that was creating this mayhem.

The problem is that most of us are only as cool as Dirty Harry in the film clip that is playing in our heads. Even a seasoned cop will tell you that facing a criminal with a gun -- even with all the training police undergo -- is not a pleasant or easy task.

Should we have a concealed-carry law? It might make some people feel better, but don't rush to the conclusion that such a law would have made a difference -- at least a positive one -- in this case.

What did make a difference is good police work. For that we should all be thankful and appreciative. Aside from some of downsides of arming civilians on the street, the political reality in Illinois is that concealed carry is not likely to happen any time soon. There is a mayor named Daley, a governor named Blagojevich and a city named Chicago that probably will make sure Illinois remains one of the few states where concealed carry is not the law.

Today, only two states--Wisconsin and Illinois
--flatly refuse to allow people to carry guns for
protection against criminals.