There’s more coming on concealed carry

1 comment July 11th, 2008

Last night’s Winnebago County Board vote to put an advisory referendum on the November ballot on whether to allow Illinois residents to carry concealed firearms is only half the story.

Randy Olson, R-1, still wants the county to pass a measure allowing concealed carry. If the County Board passes the measure later this summer as expected, it would become law. It also would face court challenges.

Winnebago County will be one of about 80 Illinois counties to have a concealed carry resolution on the ballot this fall, according to Doug Aurand, D-3, who is a proponent of concealed carry.

The statewide push is an effort to get the General Assembly to join 48 other states and allow its residents to carry guns. Wisconsin is the only other state that prohibits concealed carry.

Most of the people who have spoken at public forums and most of the letters to the editor, have favored concealed carry. One opponent told me he thinks if it comes to a vote it will be defeated. He said proponents are more vocal than opponents.

State Rep. Dave Winters has long been an advocate of concealed carry and has sponsored or co-sponsored legislation in the House since 2000. Rep. Jim Sacia also is a co sponsor on the latest bill HB1304.

State Sen. Dave Syverson also thinks concealed carry makes sense, but doubts it would be voted on in the Senate as long as anti-gun Emil Jones is in charge.

A concealed carry measure failed in 1995 when Republicans controlled the Senate.

Winters thinks the county initiative would help the debate in the General Assembly.