An interesting news report from the February 6, 2009 St. Louis Suburban Journals:
The St. Clair and Madison county sheriffs both would like to see legislation to allow concealed carry of firearms in Illinois.Not surprisingly, support for such a proposal among sheriffs includes a list of limitations--but compared to the current system, this is progress:
Madison County Sheriff Robert Hertz, who is on the Illinois Sheriff's Association executive board, recently voted to support the association's resolution asking for legislation to allow concealed carry.
Although St. Clair County Sheriff Mearl J. Justus was unable to attend the winter meeting where the association voted on the resolution, he told the Journals Wednesday that he likes the idea.
With a few exceptions - mostly current and retired law officers - carrying a concealed weapon is a felony in Illinois. According to the National Rifle Association, only Illinois and Wisconsin completely prohibit concealed carry.
"The only people who carry guns in Illinois are police or crooks," Hertz said Wednesday.
Hertz said 90 percent of Illinois sheriffs responding to a survey supported concealed carry with certain provisions.
According to the resolution, those "adequate training and safeguards," include:
- Permits should be issued by a state agency to insure consistency;
- Applications should be processed through the local sheriff's office and should the process should include the ability for the sheriff's office to "articulate specific reasons" a permit should be denied and to raise objections about specific individuals;
- For officer safety, there should be some way for permit holders to be identified through their driver's license or state identification, and Firearm Owners Identification card; and
- Those receiving permits should have adequate training including a basic knowledge of firearms, proper handling of firearms, a live fire test to qualify, and instructions on the use of force, including potential liability.
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