Across the river from St. Louis, licensed citizens will soon be allowed to carry guns -- after lawmakers in Illinois yesterday officially tossed out the last ban in the nation on concealed carry.
Notably, the legislature passed Illinois' new concealed-carry law without Governor Pat Quinn's suggested gun control provisions.
And Quinn is continuing to argue that allowing guns in public in the manner prescribed by this new law will directly jeopardize public safety.
"Following a weekend of horrific violence in Chicago in which at least 70 people were shot and 12 killed, this was the wrong move for public safety in Illinois," the Democratic governor says in a statement.
See also: - Illinois Gov. Wants Stricter Gun Law, Aligns With East St. Louis Mayor - Concealed-Carry Now Legal In Illinois? Madison County's Tom Gibbons Says Yes - East St. Louis Mayor On Concealed Carry Law: "More Guns...Is Not The Answer
The Illinois General Assembly yesterday easily overrode Quinn's so-called amendatory veto, a revision of the approved concealed-carry law that included stricter policies, such as bans on guns in establishments where liquor is consumed, limitations on the number of clips and ammunition rounds, provisions to allow employers to prohibit guns -- and more.
Illinois' ban on concealed carry was last year ruled unconstitutional, which means that the state had a deadline this summer to allow guns in public. Quinn has said he does not agree with that court decision and some local elected officials -- including East St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks -- have expressed concerns about how concealed-carry may exacerbate crime.
"Throughout the legislative session, I made clear that any concealed carry law must have common-sense standards. I pushed for a ban on assault weapons, limits on high-capacity ammunition magazines and local option for home-rule communities, among other reasonable restrictions," Quinn says in his statement. "Yet, despite my objections, members of the General Assembly surrendered to the National Rifle Association in the waning days of session and passed a flawed bill that allows people to carry guns in establishments that serve alcohol, and allows people to carry unlimited guns and unlimited high-capacity ammunition magazines."
Members of his own party have slammed Quinn for trying to push these changes, arguing that it was grandstanding and political maneuvering. And given the court mandate, if the legislature failed to pass a policy, Illinois would be forced to enact unregulated concealed carry, anyway.
How will it work?
Illinois State Police have published an FAQ, which explains that out-of-state concealed carry permit holders are not granted reciprocity in Illinois, meaning folks in Missouri must also obtain an Illinois license to carry there.
Illinois residents are required as well to have a valid Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) card before obtaining a concealed carry license.
Applications will be available within 180 days -- the time frame allotted to police to establish this kind of system. Licenses will typically be issued 90 days after submission, state police say.
Here is Quinn's full statement, followed by a copy of the bill approved by the legislature.
Today's action by members of the General Assembly was extremely disappointing.Following a weekend of horrific violence in Chicago in which at least 70 people were shot and 12 killed, this was the wrong move for public safety in Illinois.
Members of the Illinois House could not even manage to pass follow-up legislation that included a few of the critical changes that I outlined last week, such as improved mental health reporting and the duty to immediately inform law enforcement officers of the possession of a loaded concealed weapon.
Throughout the legislative session, I made clear that any concealed carry law must have common-sense standards. I pushed for a ban on assault weapons, limits on high-capacity ammunition magazines and local option for home-rule communities, among other reasonable restrictions. I met with legislators regularly and discussed these standards in my State of the State address and all across the state of Illinois.
Yet, despite my objections, members of the General Assembly surrendered to the National Rifle Association in the waning days of session and passed a flawed bill that allows people to carry guns in establishments that serve alcohol, and allows people to carry unlimited guns and unlimited high-capacity ammunition magazines.
In a supreme overreach, this bill even included the National Rifle Association's trademark provision - a ban on future assault weapon bans in home-rule communities - which has nothing to do with the concealed carry of handguns.
Public safety should never be compromised or negotiated away.
It was wrong on May 31 and it's wrong today.
We will keep fighting for these critical provisions that will save lives and establish a better, more responsible concealed carry law in Illinois.
Send feedback and tips to the author. Follow Sam Levin on Twitter at @SamTLevin.
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