by The Illinois State Rifle Association welcomed the ruling by Judge Posner in the joint appeal of Moore v. Madigan and Shepard v. Madigan today. However, they recognize that with the focus shifting to the Illinois General Assembly, it is time to get to work so that a sham carry law isn’t shoved through the legislature by the anti-gun, anti-carry forces.
From ISRA’s Urgent Alert sent earlier this afternoon:
7TH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS DIRECTS ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PASS CONCEALED CARRY BILL
BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT:
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has rendered a decision in the Shepard/Moore v. Madigan case that states that Illinois’ ban on concealed carry is unconstitutional. The court further directs the legislature to pass a concealed carry bill within 180 days. Although the announcement of this court ruling would appear to be good news for self-defense advocates, it is really nothing more than the first volley in what will be a heated battle to preserve and protect our gun rights. The gun control movement, headed by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, will be introducing a concealed carry bill of their own for the sole purpose of satisfying the court order. Madigan’s bill is sure to be a sham that will be so restrictive and impractical that only very few Illinois citizens would even qualify for a carry permit – most citizens would remain unprotected from criminals. Information obtained from within the Madigan organization indicates that the anti-gunners will piggyback an “assault weapons” ban and other onerous gun control legislation on the concealed carry bill. In order to prevent Madigan from hijacking concealed carry, Illinois gun owners need to step up and let their voices be heard on this issue.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO GET A GOOD CONCEALED CARRY BILL PASSED:
1. Contact your State Representative and State Senator. Politely advise them that you are a law-abiding firearm owner and that you support the court of appeals decision in the Shepard case. Politely advise them that you want them to vote against any sham concealed carry bill that Lisa Madigan will try to push. Politely tell them that you want them to vote for HB 148, the Family and Personal Protection Act. Advise them that you will not support any concealed carry bill that contains provisions that would discourage the average citizen from seeking a carry permit such as exorbitant fees, impossible training requirements, or excessive red tape. Advise them that you will only support a “clean” concealed carry bill that does not try to sneak through gun control schemes. If you do not know who your State Representative and/or State Senator is, please visit the Illinois State Board of Elections website link here.
2. Pass this alert along to your family and friends. Encourage them to contact their representatives as well.
3. Post this alert to any and all internet blogs or bulletin boards to which you may belong.
There's already a pretty good shall-issue bill that only failed by something like 3 votes. Twice. With major political capital expended by Daley et al to do so.
The proponents of that bill have said they have no more reason to compromise.
The AG doesn't have the support to push through a "carry in name only" bill as a "Plan B."
The ISRA stance makes me very upset. HB 148 was truly a watered down, compromise bill that at the time was our best hope. It's been awhile since I read it, but I recall it did not have restaurant carry, it did not have a parking lot law, it had unnecessary training restrictions (state certified instructors – not just licensed but additional certification), specific curriculum instead of general NRA endorsed training, burdemsome multi-level police reviews (local, county, state, federal), etc., etc.. .
Barring any extension, in 180 days we get Constitutional Carry if the anti-gunners don't give us what we want. We no longer need to settle for HB-148… WE NEED A TRUE PRO-GUN bill!!!
I imagine it'll amended shortly….word is they are going for a CCW Bill modeled on FL/KY/TN's laws. Hope they put in a waiver of the waiting period for CCW holders.