Illinois becomes the last state to allow concealed carry. However, the rules are extremely restrictive, including the longest training period in the country and one of the highest fees. Both will make it difficult for poor people to get permits to carry. Guess who restrictions on carrying on public transit are going to impact most? Again, poorer individuals. From the Associated Press:
. . . An 89-28 vote by the Illinois House on Friday sealed the compromise worked out after the federal appeals court ordered in December that Illinois end its ban on concealed carry by June 9. Earlier in the day, the Senate OK’d the plan 45-12. Both margins are big enough to withstand a gubernatorial veto. . . .
The plan would prohibit the possession of guns in such places as schools, taverns and parks, but would allow a gun to be kept securely in a car. It did not include an earlier proposal to eliminate all local gun ordinances, including Chicago’s current ban on assault weapons, but would curb local control on handguns and lawful transportation of firearms.
It would require the Illinois State Police to issue a concealed carry permit to any gun owner with a Firearm Owners Identification card who passes a background check, pays a $150 fee and undergoes 16 hours of training — the most required by any state. . . .
But Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, a supporter of tougher restrictions, negotiated with House members and others to forge Friday’s compromise. It overrides local regulations on handguns or those that further restrict the ability of lawful gun owners to transport unloaded or broken-down weapons. It would leave other current ordinances intact, but ban future assault-weapons prohibitions.
Chicago got what it wished in terms of nearly two dozen specific places declared gun-free, including mass transit buses and guns. Emanuel said in a statement the bill “strikes a better balance between the rights of gun owners and the unique public safety needs of Chicago.” . . .On to DC? Will people finally be able to carry concealed handguns in our nation's capitol?
The Chicago Tribune has some additional notes:
Under the proposal, concealed weapons would be banned from numerous sites, such as CTA and Metra buses and trains, casinos, government buildings and stadiums. But lawmakers said the bill would allow people to carry concealed weapons in restaurants where alcohol is served but more than half of the sales are for food.
A five-year concealed weapons permit would be issued to applicants. Law enforcement could object, and an applicant could appeal to a seven-member board designed to have people with such credentials as former judges orFBI agents. A person would have to complete 16 hours of training before getting a gun. . . .The new law won't allow reciprocity with other states.
The legislation that lawmakers passed Friday, under orders from a federal court, doesn't contain any reciprocity language.
That means that anyone who wants to carry firearms in public in Illinois — even those already approved in other states — will have to get an Illinois permit. That in turn means paying a $300 non-resident fee (double the in-state fee) and taking 16 hours of training. . . . .
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