Ask Your Illinois State Legislators to Oppose
HB 148 and SB 182
March 23, 2011
ACTION NEEDED
Contact your state legislators and ask them to oppose concealed carrying of weapons and to vote against HB 148 and SB 82!
Additionally, please call Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and Illinois Senate President John Cullerton and ask them NOT to call any concealed carry legislation:
- Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (217) 782-2728 Springfield Office or at (773) 883-0770 District Office
- Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (217) 782-5350 Springfield Office or at (773) 581-8000 District Office
BACKGROUND
Information provided by LWVIL coalition, Illinois Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (www.icpgv.org):
What does a CCW (Concealed Carrying of Weapons) permit mean?
A CCW permit allows an individual to carry a loaded, hidden firearm in public. Since 1961, Illinois has prohibited the carrying of concealed firearms on the person in public. Illinois law currently allows individuals to carry firearms on their own land, in their abode, or in their fixed place of business, and carrying firearms is permitted for target shooting and hunting.
What are the facts?
From May 2007 to February 2010, at least 279 people were killed nationwide by concealed handgun permit holders. These victims include law enforcement officers, family members, friends, and strangers.
- Nine law enforcement officers were shot and killed by CCW permit holders.
- CCW permit holders murdered at least 279 private citizens.
- 18 mass shootings were committed by CCW permit holders.
The evidence does NOT support the claim that CCW laws reduce crime.
Numerous academic studies by respected researchers, including the University of Chicago and John Hopkins University, have systematically criticized the methodology and faulty conclusions of studies cited by gun rights advocates who claim CCW laws reduce violent crime. Studies published by the Stanford Law Review and the Journal of Trauma concluded that there is no statistical evidence that CCW laws, like those introduced in Illinois, reduce crime.
The studies found that the adoption of such laws generally will increase crime.
A 2005 National Academy of Sciences report found that there is no evidence to support the claim that CCW laws have a causal link to crime rate reduction.
What would Concealed Carry Laws really do?
These bills would repeal Illinois’ prohibition on carrying concealed firearms, including loaded firearms, in public. These bills would require law enforcement to issue a concealed weapon permit to any person meeting certain minimum and in some cases arbitrary qualifications, with limited discretion to determine who is fit to carry a gun.
How do the bills affect home rule authority?
These bills preempt the home rule authority of local governments to regulate concealed weapons. In fact, a local government would be required to pass an ordinance just to restrict guns in its own buildings.
What is the history of concealed carry in Illinois? Year after year, Illinois policymakers reject concealed carry legislation. Why? Because concealed carry endangers the public and is strongly opposed by Illinois voters.
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