STATE— Representative Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg and Ill. Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, have come through on behalf of the pro-gun activists of the state and both the state and federal Constitution.
With as much rancor and pure political butt-grabbing (or kissing) that takes place in the state’s capitol of Springfield, Phelps and Forby have remained steadfast in pushing concealed carry legislation.
Illinois Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg
Due primarily to the efforts of Phelps, the legislation now enjoys a super majority, which thwarts the planned veto by Gov. Pat Quinn.
Quinn had said all along if such a bill made it to his desk he would refuse to sign it, but due to the super majority vote, he now doesn’t have that option.
Some believe Quinn dragging his feet and refusing to support/sign such legislation, and not acting in accordance with the will of the people of the State Illinois, is tantamount to him signing his own political death warrant.
That same group of people believe that if Quinn is unable or unwilling, due to unseen controlling forces, to act on behalf of the voters that put him in office, that he should step aside and Phelps should seriously consider running for the state’s top office.
In December 2012 the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ordered lawmakers to end the state’s ban on concealed weapons on June 9, 2013, saying that it violated the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
It appears Phelps and Forby took note and subsequent steps while Quinn and his allies the likes of senators Kimberly Lightford and Kwame Raoul refused to listen to voters and The Supreme Court.
“If there were no rules in place by June 9 people would be able to carry any place anytime,” Forby said.
Phelps agreed saying, “I don’t think any of us wanted that kind of mayhem.”
Under the Phelps/Forby measure a system would be created to provide carry license that would require a 16-hour training course and be good for five years. The cost of the license is $150; by comparison to other states, the cost is an obscenity, but many say they would be good with paying such a fee if it didn’t come with the “training courses” that most gun owners have already had and don’t necessarily need “annual refresher courses” of 3 hours in order to safely handle their weapons.
The proposal allows the creation of a special review board to determine if an applicant flagged by law enforcement should be given a permit, so in keeping with their long-set standard of providing jobs for the unemployable among family of state workers, Illinois is set to arbitrarily deny permits already.
It calls for the permit holder to have their firearm locked safely in a vehicle in the trunk or glove box, meaning those traveling Illinois roadways, and beset upon by thugs, had better hope the thugs are patient enough to allow the motorist to stop, get to his weapon and ammo, and join the two before the damage to the vehicle or persons inside becomes too hampering.
Guns would not be permitted in childcare facilities, government buildings, or public events including street fairs, sports arenas, stadiums, amusement parks and a host of other areas, meaning that criminals will be well aware of where they can carry out acts of atrocity, as participants will be unarmed in “gun-free zones.”
Illinois Senator
Gary Forby, D-Benton
Guns rights activists believe the Quinn administration and backers, now that the measure can NOT be vetoed, will simply create such a restrictive atmosphere that voters may have a concealed carry permit and not be permitted to carry their gun any more freely than before the bill passed.
The measure prevents any community from creating further restrictions to concealed carry, any new bans on assault rifles or transportation of firearms.
Opponents added tougher mental health reporting language designed to keep the mentally ill from obtaining a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) Card.
Many believe that measure will keep military veterans from seeking help should they need it because it will automatically put them on the list of citizens forbidden from obtaining a FOID card and taking away the one they may already have.
Despite being disappointed in all the restrictions in the bill, many advocates believe it is a step in the right direction and are now wondering aloud if Brandon Phelps should move up to the Governor’s seat and lead the march to full and unrestricted concealed carry law the likes of Arizona, which has no registration, no training required, and citizens can carry a loaded weapon anywhere from church to the grocery store to a government meeting.
Arizona has one of the lowest crime rates in the nation.
Rep. Phelps’ office has been contacted concerning the issue of reciprocity.
Keep checking back; we will bring you the answer to that question as soon as we get it.