http://www.rrstar.com/communities/x...d-members-propose-allowing-concealed-firearms
ROCKFORD —
Illinois and Wisconsin are the only two states in the country that do not allow citizens to carry concealed firearms.
At least two Winnebago County Board members would like to see that changed in Illinois, starting in Winnebago County.
Randy Olson, R-1, and Doug Aurand, D-3, plan to present a resolution to the County Board this month authorizing concealed carry within the boundaries of the county.
“I put it together a couple years ago,” Olson said of the resolution. “I had a few members ask me if I would revive it, and I just tweaked it.”
The resolution is a 10-page document that outlines applicant guidelines and procedures before the sheriff issues a permit such as: being at least 21 years of age, a resident of the county for at least six months, passing a criminal-background check, completing a firearm safety training course and not having a history of mental illness or violent behavior.
Rockford, the largest municipality in the county, annually ranks at the top with highest crime rate in the state.
“States with right-to-carry laws have lower overall violent crime rates compared to states without right-to-carry laws,” the resolution states. Citing 1996 crime data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, the resolution went on to say that in states that allow concealed carry, the total crime rate is 13 percent lower, homicides were down 3 percent, robberies were down 26 percent and aggravated assaults were down 7 percent.
“I did a lot of research on it,” Olson said. “A lot of counties have tried to do gun bans, but I don’t know if anyone has done countywide concealed carry.”
Aurand said he presented the resolution to the Democratic Caucus on Monday.
“I just asked them all to read it over, and hopefully, this will come to the board floor,” he said. “I’ve been a long believer to allow concealed carry. It’s a proven fact that crime has gone down in any state that has provided concealed weapons.”
Olson and Aurand said Winnebago County Sheriff Dick Meyers already possesses the authority to issue permits to citizens.
“This is just giving him direction,” Olson said.
Gary Kovanda, Winnebago County first deputy state’s attorney, learned of the resolution today and questioned that authority.
“I’d like to find out what authority they base that on,” he said. “To my knowledge, the county has no authority to supersede state law. The state has not passed (concealed carry) such a law.”
Concealed carry exemptions are restricted to sworn law enforcement, “private security guards, state’s attorney investigators and things like that,” Kovanda said. According to state statute 720 ILCS 5/24‑1, citizens can be charged with unlawful use of weapons if they are found to be carrying or possessing a weapon on or about his person on a public street, alley, or other public lands within the corporate limits of a city, village or incorporated town.
Meyers also recently learned of the resolution, and he, too, questions its legality.
“Can you pass that legislation at a county level? How does this stack up against the state law? Would it be enacted in the unincorporated area only or in all the municipalities?”
If the County Board is allowed to enact a resolution, Meyers said he would like to see training guidelines standardized throughout the state.
“You have 102 different counties, 102 different sheriffs, and there will be 102 different ways to do this,” he said. “If you are going to do something, do it statewide.”
ROCKFORD —
Illinois and Wisconsin are the only two states in the country that do not allow citizens to carry concealed firearms.
At least two Winnebago County Board members would like to see that changed in Illinois, starting in Winnebago County.
Randy Olson, R-1, and Doug Aurand, D-3, plan to present a resolution to the County Board this month authorizing concealed carry within the boundaries of the county.
“I put it together a couple years ago,” Olson said of the resolution. “I had a few members ask me if I would revive it, and I just tweaked it.”
The resolution is a 10-page document that outlines applicant guidelines and procedures before the sheriff issues a permit such as: being at least 21 years of age, a resident of the county for at least six months, passing a criminal-background check, completing a firearm safety training course and not having a history of mental illness or violent behavior.
Rockford, the largest municipality in the county, annually ranks at the top with highest crime rate in the state.
“States with right-to-carry laws have lower overall violent crime rates compared to states without right-to-carry laws,” the resolution states. Citing 1996 crime data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, the resolution went on to say that in states that allow concealed carry, the total crime rate is 13 percent lower, homicides were down 3 percent, robberies were down 26 percent and aggravated assaults were down 7 percent.
“I did a lot of research on it,” Olson said. “A lot of counties have tried to do gun bans, but I don’t know if anyone has done countywide concealed carry.”
Aurand said he presented the resolution to the Democratic Caucus on Monday.
“I just asked them all to read it over, and hopefully, this will come to the board floor,” he said. “I’ve been a long believer to allow concealed carry. It’s a proven fact that crime has gone down in any state that has provided concealed weapons.”
Olson and Aurand said Winnebago County Sheriff Dick Meyers already possesses the authority to issue permits to citizens.
“This is just giving him direction,” Olson said.
Gary Kovanda, Winnebago County first deputy state’s attorney, learned of the resolution today and questioned that authority.
“I’d like to find out what authority they base that on,” he said. “To my knowledge, the county has no authority to supersede state law. The state has not passed (concealed carry) such a law.”
Concealed carry exemptions are restricted to sworn law enforcement, “private security guards, state’s attorney investigators and things like that,” Kovanda said. According to state statute 720 ILCS 5/24‑1, citizens can be charged with unlawful use of weapons if they are found to be carrying or possessing a weapon on or about his person on a public street, alley, or other public lands within the corporate limits of a city, village or incorporated town.
Meyers also recently learned of the resolution, and he, too, questions its legality.
“Can you pass that legislation at a county level? How does this stack up against the state law? Would it be enacted in the unincorporated area only or in all the municipalities?”
If the County Board is allowed to enact a resolution, Meyers said he would like to see training guidelines standardized throughout the state.
“You have 102 different counties, 102 different sheriffs, and there will be 102 different ways to do this,” he said. “If you are going to do something, do it statewide.”
