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Schock proposes concealed-carry bill
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Carrying a concealed firearm would be legal in Illinois under legislation
state Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria, has proposed.
Schock, a congressional candidate, recently introduced the Family and
Personal Protection Act, which would require individuals to complete a
training course in handgun use, safety and marksmanship before they could
receive a permit to carry a concealed firearm in the state.
The proposed legislation, House Bill 4544, also would require an applicant
to be at least 21 years old. Anyone convicted of a felony or with a history
of mental illness, addiction or habitual alcohol use would be prohibited
from obtaining a permit.
"I believe we are behind the times in being one of the last few states in
the country to do this," Schock said. "There have been a number of
constituents that have contacted my office wanting to carry a firearm for
their own personal protection. When states have implemented the
conceal-carry law, their crime rate has decreased."
Forty-eight out of 50 states have some kind of provision allowing
concealed-carry gun privileges, Schock said.
Chris Boyster, downstate director of programs and services for the Illinois
Council Against Handgun Violence, said one of the major arguments against
concealed-carry legislation is the false sense of security it provides.
"2007 was one of the deadliest years involving gun violence," Boyster said.
"We have more firearm death and injury than any other industrialized nation
on the face of the earth."
Schock, however, said overall interest in concealed-carry laws is increasing
among his central Illinois constituency, as well as statewide.
Last month, Chad Hjortshoj, an auxiliary police officer with the Creve Coeur
police department, retrieved a pistol from his vehicle's glove box and shot
twice at a carjacker who had beaten a woman in the parking lot of a Peoria
shopping center.
Schock said no particular incident influenced his decision to propose the
legislation.
"Personal safety is on the minds of people, not only in my community of
Peoria, but throughout the state," he said. "This is becoming an increasing
priority for people. I am hoping that we will be able to give this right to
our citizens, as 48 other states have already done."
Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, said
there is little chance Schock's legislation would be called for a vote.
Brown said that if Schock has any "innovative ideas" that would make the
bill appeal to lawmakers who oppose concealed-carry laws, it might advance.
Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville, said he supports Schock's proposal but "would
be surprised if it sees the light of day."
"This bill immediately becomes a lighting rod and a very emotional issue for
legislators that is seldom debated rationally or calmly. There is generally
a lot of screaming back and forth," he said.
One of the biggest stumbling blocks, according to Black, is a generational
difference in how people view firearms.
"A lot of these young suburbanites don't like guns and don't see anything
wrong with saying you can't have one," Black said. "All the gun laws in the
world don't seem to stop people from shooting at each other in big cities."
Boyster said that, every year, some kind of concealed-carry legislation is
proposed.
"I think it's a battle we are continuously having to fight," he said.
Schock proposes concealed-carry bill
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Carrying a concealed firearm would be legal in Illinois under legislation
state Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria, has proposed.
Schock, a congressional candidate, recently introduced the Family and
Personal Protection Act, which would require individuals to complete a
training course in handgun use, safety and marksmanship before they could
receive a permit to carry a concealed firearm in the state.
The proposed legislation, House Bill 4544, also would require an applicant
to be at least 21 years old. Anyone convicted of a felony or with a history
of mental illness, addiction or habitual alcohol use would be prohibited
from obtaining a permit.
"I believe we are behind the times in being one of the last few states in
the country to do this," Schock said. "There have been a number of
constituents that have contacted my office wanting to carry a firearm for
their own personal protection. When states have implemented the
conceal-carry law, their crime rate has decreased."
Forty-eight out of 50 states have some kind of provision allowing
concealed-carry gun privileges, Schock said.
Chris Boyster, downstate director of programs and services for the Illinois
Council Against Handgun Violence, said one of the major arguments against
concealed-carry legislation is the false sense of security it provides.
"2007 was one of the deadliest years involving gun violence," Boyster said.
"We have more firearm death and injury than any other industrialized nation
on the face of the earth."
Schock, however, said overall interest in concealed-carry laws is increasing
among his central Illinois constituency, as well as statewide.
Last month, Chad Hjortshoj, an auxiliary police officer with the Creve Coeur
police department, retrieved a pistol from his vehicle's glove box and shot
twice at a carjacker who had beaten a woman in the parking lot of a Peoria
shopping center.
Schock said no particular incident influenced his decision to propose the
legislation.
"Personal safety is on the minds of people, not only in my community of
Peoria, but throughout the state," he said. "This is becoming an increasing
priority for people. I am hoping that we will be able to give this right to
our citizens, as 48 other states have already done."
Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, said
there is little chance Schock's legislation would be called for a vote.
Brown said that if Schock has any "innovative ideas" that would make the
bill appeal to lawmakers who oppose concealed-carry laws, it might advance.
Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville, said he supports Schock's proposal but "would
be surprised if it sees the light of day."
"This bill immediately becomes a lighting rod and a very emotional issue for
legislators that is seldom debated rationally or calmly. There is generally
a lot of screaming back and forth," he said.
One of the biggest stumbling blocks, according to Black, is a generational
difference in how people view firearms.
"A lot of these young suburbanites don't like guns and don't see anything
wrong with saying you can't have one," Black said. "All the gun laws in the
world don't seem to stop people from shooting at each other in big cities."
Boyster said that, every year, some kind of concealed-carry legislation is
proposed.
"I think it's a battle we are continuously having to fight," he said.
