Ill. Assn. of Chiefs of Police Support Legalizing Concealed Carry Proposal

Chicago - Leaders of the Illinois Assn. of Chiefs of Police voted Wednesday to change their stance on the issue. They now support legalizing concealed carry.

It’s a big boost for those trying to repeal Illinois’s ban on the concealed carrying of handguns. The group of top cops had long opposed the idea. They voted two years to go neutral on the issue.

State Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) and leaders of the Illinois State Rifle Assn. have been negotiating for months with law enforcement officials across the state. Phelps is chief sponsor of a concealed carry proposal that’s already won approval from a committee of the Illinois House.

Phelps said the measure will likely be amended further. He hopes the General Assembly will send it to Gov. Quinn by the end of April.

As currently written, the Phelps proposal says the Illinois State Police “shall issue” a concealed carry handgun permit within 75 days after an application is submitted.

More than 1 million Illinoisans currently hold Firearm Owners Identification (or FOID) cards. Gun rights activists estimate that perhaps 500,000 would apply, if concealed carry handgun permits were available.

Local police and sheriff’s departments would have to be notified of any resident seeking a concealed carry permit. Local law enforcers could object, but the decision would ultimately be made by State Police.

Opponents of concealed carry reject the central argument made by supporters: that more guns in more hands would make Illinois safer.

State Sen Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) asserted that concealed carry permit holders have killed 11 police officers and more than 200 others in recent years.

Foes of concealed carry said they hope Chicago’s mayor-elect, Rahm Emanuel, would join the battle in Springfield.

A spokesman for Emanuel said he opposes legalizing concealed carry. Emanuel, who is scheduled to be sworn in at noon, May 16th, has said repeatedly that “Chicago has one mayor at a time.”

Supporters of concealed carry admit privately that their prospects have vastly improved since Richard M. Daley announced his impending retirement.

Daley is a vigorous opponent of concealed carry. But his influence in the State Capitol is vastly diminished since he became a lame duck.