NEWS Concealed Carry Moved To Full Board

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Richard Peddicord, a retired law enforcement agent from Marseilles, said he’s waited a long time for legislators to tackle a possible concealed carry law in Illinois — one of only two states without such legislation. “I’ve waited 66 years to see this come to Illinois,” Peddicord said. The County Board will have the final say Thursday, Aug. 14, on whether county voters will have a chance to tell Illinois legislators — through an advisory referendum — whether the state should enact a concealed carry law. If Wednesday’s joint committee meeting regarding the advisory referendum is any indication of the full board’s future vote, it appears the question will appear on the Tuesday, Nov. 4, ballot.


The county’s Sheriff and Radio Committee and Legislation and Rules Committee met jointly Wednesday and unanimously voted to send the resolution to the full board. About a dozen citizens also attended, with four — including Peddicord — speaking for the referendum and the carrying of concealed firearms. No one at the meeting spoke in opposition of the referendum or concealed carry legislation. Joe Temple of Ottawa, who said he previously was a National Rifle Association certified firearms instructor, noted statistics show there is less crime in states that allow concealed carrying. “There’s a point that needs to be remembered,” Temple said. “if an assailant is bent on picking out a victim … and the victim happens to be permitted to carry a concealed weapon and introduces it early enough … it prevents a crime without a bullet being fired. “But the news media doesn’t like to report this.” Edmund Thornton of rural Ottawa, a skeet shooter and handgun target shooter, said it’s unfortunate Chicago is dominating the political process of Illinois, and until this point, there has been no progress in putting this issue before the public. A concealed carry law also would require training, mental competency as well as a good judicial record before a permit is issued, Thornton added. County Board member Tom Walsh, D-Ottawa, noted there are two concealed carry bills pending in the General Assembly’s Rules Committee — HB 4544 and HB 1304. The main difference between the two is HB 4544 entrusts the training authority with county sheriffs while HB 1304 puts Illinois State Police in charge of training and issuing permits. Sheriff Tom Templeton, who attended Wednesday’s meeting, said he would prefer the authority be placed in the hands of state police, strictly for liability issues. Committee members agreed state police should be the authorities on the permits, and threw their support to HB 1304, which was introduced in February 2007. However, the board’s resolution is not specific to any proposed legislation. As for a concealed carry law, Templeton said he would support such a measure. “What we’re doing is making honest citizens legal,” Templeton said. State’s Attorney Brian Towne, who also attended the meeting, remains neutral on the subject, as the legislation is still being worked on in committee. However, Towne is “extremely supportive” of placing an advisory referendum before La Salle County voters. County Board member Jerry Myers, R-Streator, stressed that in concealed carry states, citizens who are permitted to carry firearms are personally responsible for their actions and encouraged citizens to check with their homeowners’ insurance companies for their policies on the issue. Towne also offered an analogy to put the issue in perspective. Towne noted the state requires a person acquire a drivers license before driving a car, which involves an age requirement and training. “And motor vehicles kill more people in a single year than handguns,” he said. “And there are liability issues … and many of these same issues will arise if legislation is enacted for concealed carry. “Good people make bad choices … and the first time it happens, and I’m telling you it will, the law will be under scrutiny … This is the ground level of something that will be talked about and scrutinized for years to come.” Board Chairman Jerry Hicks, D-Marseilles, said the board must vote before Tuesday, Sept. 2, on whether to place the referendum on the ballot. Wisconsin is the only other state without a concealed carry law on the books. Winnebago County voters also will answer the same advisory referendum question proposed by La Salle County. Hicks also noted if the advisory referendum request meets County Board approval, it will take up one of three slots available for countywide referendums on the November ballot. A second referendum question also is in the works regarding establishing a La Salle County forest preserve district. Ottawa attorney Steve Wiggins last month filed a petition containing 500 signatures in La Salle County Circuit Court. A public hearingis set for 9 a.m. Tuesday in courtroom 300 at the courthouse in downtown Ottawa.

‘There’s a point that needs to be remembered. If an assailant is bent on picking out a victim … and the victim happens to be permitted to carry a concealed weapon and introduces it early enough … it prevents a crime without a bullet being fired.’ Joe Temple, Ottawa

‘Good people make bad choices … and the first time it happens, and I’m telling you it will, the law will be under scrutiny … This is the ground level of something that will be talked about and scrutinized for years to come.’ State’s Attorney Brian Towne

Source: The Times