Proponents of a law that would allow Illinoisans to carry concealed weapons think they’ve got a good shot at getting the legislation passed this year.
They say a number of factors are in play, ranging from a
And, privately, some supporters say
Downstate legislators from both parties have long been overwhelmingly supportive of gun-ownership rights, but they might be pushing harder now to get cooperation on the concealed-carry issue from their fellow legislators in the
“”They’re taking a lot of heat, especially downstate,”” said
She added, “”Those legislators are putting pressure on their leadership, saying, ‘Our constituents are behind this, and I’m catching a lot of heat for being the only state left that doesn’t have a carry law.’ I’m hearing that a lot from the people who contact us, and I’m hearing that out of
State Sen.
Haine, a concealed-carry proponent, said downstate senators have spoken with
“”He knows our views,”” Haine said. “”He hasn’t said where he’s going to go with it, but he’s very well in-tune to what we need. We’d like to have a vote on it.””
Haine added, “”It’s the right thing to do. It isn’t that it’s politically the right thing to do, it’s the right thing to do to let citizens protect themselves against criminals.””
Rep.
“”It has a better chance this year than it has in my career here in the last 17 years,”” said Holbrook, one of several sponsors of the concealed-carry bill in the House.
Holbrook said the main factors are the
“”When I started, one in four states, roughly, had a concealed-carry law,”” Holbrook said.
“”We’ve heard that rumor,”” Walsh said. “”But putting more guns on the streets isn’t the answer.””
Walsh also disputes the notion that a concealed-carry law has a better chance of passing this year.
“”They make the same claim, every February, at the start of the new legislative session,”” he said. “”It might get out of the Agriculture Committee, but we don’t think it has enough votes to get out of the House or the
The committee’s chairwoman, Rep.
“”I know there’s a lot of people who are going to be testifying,”” Dugan said.
Vandermyde said many Illinoisans are surprised to learn that
“”But people are waking up,”” he said.
Concealed-carry has “”more support than ever before from law enforcement,”” Vandermyde said.
Vandermyde also said the
Those offering testimony on
Haine said the
“”In every state that has concealed carry, it hasn’t turned into the Wild West. There haven’t been armed citizens running the streets, causing havoc. It’s been just the opposite — less crime,”” King said.
He added, “”The economy is getting bad, and when the economy gets bad, people get desperate. Desperate people do desperate deeds. The people who are the victims are the people who can’t protect themselves.””
The elderly and women, King said, are the most vulnerable.
“”The police can’t be everywhere,”” he said. “”We can’t blame the police. We have to protect ourselves.””