Guest Column in local paper

[speedracer815]

It is high time that Illinois allow citizens the same rights afforded our neighbors in Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Kentucky. In these states, and 44 others, responsible, law abiding citizens are allowed to protect themselves outside their homes. Not in Illinois. Illinois law allows us to defend ourselves and our families in our homes, however, if we are attacked by the same crack addled sociopath as we walk to our car, Illinois says we must be unarmed. Aren’t lives worth just as much in Illinois as in Indiana? Aren’t Illinoisans just as trustworthy as Missourians? Many in Illinois already possess permits to carry concealed weapons issued by, and honored in, other states; but must disarm when coming home to Illinois. Why do 30 other states respect an Illinois native’s right to carry a defensive weapon, but not Illinois?

While our state legislature is paralyzed by Governor Blagojevich and his cronies, Randy Olson and Doug Aurand of the Winnebago County Board are trying to do something at the county level to right this travesty. Mr. Olson did his research and he saw the writing on the wall. According to data compiled by FBI and local law enforcement agencies; where the right of law abiding, free citizens to carry a concealed weapon is recognized violent crime rates drop. Not only does it protect citizens who arm themselves, it also protects those who don’t because criminals simply can’t tell who is and isn’t armed.

Illinois State Police actually advise women to protect themselves with a rat tail comb or a nail file. Another state police suggestion is to put a finger down your throat and force yourself to vomit. It doesn’t take an expert to realize that these “weapons” will be less than effective against a bigger, stronger, determined attacker. So Illinoisans, especially women and the elderly, remain at the mercy of violent criminals from the time they leave their homes until they return.

Illinois has the tightest firearm restrictions of any state, yet our violent crime rate hovers near the top of the list year after year. There is no secret why. Criminals, by definition, don’t obey laws! Just read the paper or watch the news and it should be obvious that our oppressive laws are ineffective at curtailing criminal misuse of firearms. Draconian firearms restrictions only affect those who wish to obey them, while those with criminal intent continue to possess and carry whatever, whenever and wherever they choose.

Accidents and abuse of firearms by citizens with concealed carry permits are almost unheard of in the states that allow it. There are background checks and training requirements. For instance in Florida, where 551,000 permits have been issued, permit holders have been 5.7 times less likely to commit a violent offense and 13.5 times less likely to commit non-violent offenses than the general public. In fact, only .02% of Florida’s permits have been revoked for any reason.

Citizens carrying concealed weapons have been instrumental in stopping crimes ranging from mass shootings to individual muggings and rapes, often without firing a shot. In 2002 at Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, Virginia a potential mass shooting was stopped by legally armed students who disarmed and held the killer at gunpoint until police arrived. In 2007 a mass shooting was stopped at the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado by a legally armed citizen. These are just two large cases that received some media attention, but firearms are used every day to protect honest citizens from crime as they go about their daily lives.

Meanwhile criminals continue to do as they please in “no gun” zones like Westroads Mall in Omaha, Nebraska, Virginia Tech, and Northern Illinois University. In a life and death situation even a two minute response from the police may be more time than you or your loved ones have.

We have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers to protect ourselves from fire until the help arrives, even though we’re not planning to have a fire. We have seatbelts and airbags to protect us even though we try to avoid a crash. We have first aid kits just in case an unforeseen injury occurs. Shouldn’t we be just as prepared to protect our families from those who would force evil upon us?

Every time you venture outside Illinois or Wisconsin, you are in a state that allows citizens the right to carry a concealed weapon for self defense. You have stood in line, sat next to, and even occasionally bumped into armed citizens. Not only were you not in danger from these people, you were safer because of them.

[Rick O'Shay]

Originally Posted by speedracer815

It is high time that Illinois allow citizens the same rights afforded our neighbors in Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Kentucky. In these states, and 44 others, responsible, law abiding citizens are allowed to protect themselves outside their homes. Not in Illinois. Illinois law allows us to defend ourselves and our families in our homes, however, if we are attacked by the same crack addled sociopath as we walk to our car, Illinois says we must be unarmed. Aren’t lives worth just as much in Illinois as in Indiana? Aren’t Illinoisans just as trustworthy as Missourians? Many in Illinois already possess permits to carry concealed weapons issued by, and honored in, other states; but must disarm when coming home to Illinois. Why do 30 other states respect an Illinois native’s right to carry a defensive weapon, but not Illinois?

While our state legislature is paralyzed by Governor Blagojevich and his cronies, Randy Olson and Doug Aurand of the Winnebago County Board are trying to do something at the county level to right this travesty. Mr. Olson did his research and he saw the writing on the wall. According to data compiled by FBI and local law enforcement agencies; where the right of law abiding, free citizens to carry a concealed weapon is recognized violent crime rates drop. Not only does it protect citizens who arm themselves, it also protects those who don’t because criminals simply can’t tell who is and isn’t armed.

Illinois State Police actually advise women to protect themselves with a rat tail comb or a nail file. Another state police suggestion is to put a finger down your throat and force yourself to vomit. It doesn’t take an expert to realize that these “weapons” will be less than effective against a bigger, stronger, determined attacker. So Illinoisans, especially women and the elderly, remain at the mercy of violent criminals from the time they leave their homes until they return.

Illinois has the tightest firearm restrictions of any state, yet our violent crime rate hovers near the top of the list year after year. There is no secret why. Criminals, by definition, don’t obey laws! Just read the paper or watch the news and it should be obvious that our oppressive laws are ineffective at curtailing criminal misuse of firearms. Draconian firearms restrictions only affect those who wish to obey them, while those with criminal intent continue to possess and carry whatever, whenever and wherever they choose.

Accidents and abuse of firearms by citizens with concealed carry permits are almost unheard of in the states that allow it. There are background checks and training requirements. For instance in Florida, where 551,000 permits have been issued, permit holders have been 5.7 times less likely to commit a violent offense and 13.5 times less likely to commit non-violent offenses than the general public. In fact, only .02% of Florida’s permits have been revoked for any reason.

Citizens carrying concealed weapons have been instrumental in stopping crimes ranging from mass shootings to individual muggings and rapes, often without firing a shot. In 2002 at Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, Virginia a potential mass shooting was stopped by legally armed students who disarmed and held the killer at gunpoint until police arrived. In 2007 a mass shooting was stopped at the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado by a legally armed citizen. These are just two large cases that received some media attention, but firearms are used every day to protect honest citizens from crime as they go about their daily lives.

Meanwhile criminals continue to do as they please in “no gun” zones like Westroads Mall in Omaha, Nebraska, Virginia Tech, and Northern Illinois University. In a life and death situation even a two minute response from the police may be more time than you or your loved ones have.

We have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers to protect ourselves from fire until the help arrives, even though we’re not planning to have a fire. We have seatbelts and airbags to protect us even though we try to avoid a crash. We have first aid kits just in case an unforeseen injury occurs. Shouldn’t we be just as prepared to protect our families from those who would force evil upon us?

Every time you venture outside Illinois or Wisconsin, you are in a state that allows citizens the right to carry a concealed weapon for self defense. You have stood in line, sat next to, and even occasionally bumped into armed citizens. Not only were you not in danger from these people, you were safer because of them.

Well said.

[sheashae]

nice write-up

[fuhr52]

Right on Speedracer. The news media and lawmakers are not about to let the truth get in the way of a good story or their agenda. If you look at the crime in states that are gun friendly compared to states that are not gun friendly, the crime rate is much lower in gun friendly states and cities. This is not rocket science.