The Illinois General Assembly overrode the Governor’s veto of concealed carry legislation (HB 183) last Tuesday, becoming the 50th state to enact a concealed carry law. This action will pave the way for the greater safety in our communities and will allow for law abiding citizens to defend their families and their property from violent criminals.
The measure will enact a closely-regulated system, under the supervision of the Illinois State Police that will enable gun owners to apply for a license to carry concealable firearms in most Illinois public places. Under the new law, there is no home rule exemption – it will set one statewide standard with respect to concealed carry and invalidate inconsistent local regulations. Further exceptions are carved out for protected locations, such as schools, courthouses and airport terminals, where concealable firearms will continue to be banned.
While the effective date for the bill is July 9, 2013, it will likely be next year before firearm holders are permitted to carry in public. The timeline and application process set in place under House Bill 183 are as follows:
The Illinois State Police have 180 days to put a system in place and begin accepting applications. The standard application process is set at 90 days. Although submission of applicant fingerprints is optional, ISP may take an additional 30 days to process the application if no fingerprints are submitted.
A five-year license will cost $150, and licensees will be required to pass a background check and undergo 16 hours of instruction, including live-fire training at a gun range. Licensees will have to take a two- to three-hour refresher training course when they renew their licenses. Law enforcement officials have the option to object to concealed-carry applications. If an application is contested by law enforcement, it will go before review by the Licensing Board.
From Illinois Representative Joe Sosnowski. For further questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to his district office at (815) 547-3436 or email hijm at repsosnowski@gmail.com. You can also find him on Facebook.
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3 Comments
Just check the Violence Policy Center for the stats and details, Mac. The number of dead policemen, the accidental shootings, and the murder-suicides. Anyone thinks that conceal carry is going to save lives is delusional. The national crime stats show the huge number of homicides compared with lawful self defense killings. Our cities are battle grounds due to our lax gun laws and poverty. We need to stop the gun manufacturers from profiting from death. More guns won’t solve this uniquely American problem, less guns would.
Just think now you can carry a gun into a bar. What could go wrong?
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Stephen, you clearly do not know the laws of concealed carry. In the case of all firearms it is illegal to operate or have in possession a firearm when consuming alcohol. CCW laws make it illegal to carry in places such as schools, public buildings, and bars. Concealed carry is not going to fix everything, however if you examine the problems involving weapons, almost all are by people who illegally obtain them.
I suggest you read further on the laws before you make stupid comments.