Local lawmen give support to conceal carry

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The Illinois Legislature may still be divided on allowing residents to carry concealed weapons, but Fox Valley police chiefs and sheriffs are much less split. Of 10 local law enforcement leaders contacted by The Beacon-News, none said they opposed concealed carry. Aug. 5, 2011. | Photo illustration by Steven Buyansky~Sun-Times Media

Concealed carry

Support — NRA: www.nraila.org/gunlaws/

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Updated: November 16, 2011 1:47AM

The Illinois Legislature may still be divided on allowing residents to carry concealed weapons, but Fox Valley police chiefs and sheriffs are much less split. Of 10 local law enforcement leaders contacted by The Beacon-News, none said they opposed concealed carry.

“I believe that if somebody’s properly trained and certified, I don’t have a problem with concealed carry,” said Somonauk Police Chief Richard Smith. “I don’t think it would increase crime. I think it would be a good deterrent. It would be a pity-the-poor-soul-who-breaks-into-my-home situation.”

Smith is in the majority locally. While some department leader’s felt more strongly than others, all would at least consider supporting concealed carry legislation.

And that response is probably not surprising. The Illinois Sheriff’s Association has long been in favor of concealed carry. Last year, the Illinois Police Chief’s Association went from “against” concealed carry to “neutral” — a significant change after years of opposition.

Law enforcement’s opinion on any potential legislation will likely weigh heavily as the debate continues in Illinois. Since Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed that state’s concealed carry bill into law in July, Illinois is the last state with a complete ban on carrying concealed weapons.

That makes it the next big prize in the fierce national contest over gun control, with the National Rifle Association and its allies targeting it.

“We never give up,” said Andrew Arulanandam, public affairs director for the National Rifle Association. “We’ve been around 140 years as an organization. If we don’t get something this time around, we’re going to work until we get it.”

Despite the obstacles, gun-rights advocates believe time and political momentum are on their side. Pro-gun groups expect to make another push this fall or next spring. They’re also pursuing at least two lawsuits. A hearing on one of those suits, filed by a Champaign resident and the Second Amendment Foundation, a gun-rights group, against Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office and the state was held Thursday in U.S. District Court in Springfield.

Local reaction

Of the 10 departments who responded to The Beacon-News, Geneva was the only department to offer less than enthusiastic support. Geneva Police Cmdr. Eric Passarelli said without specific legislation to look over, the department has a “wait-and see approach.”

“If there was legislation that was well-crafted and assured for strict standards for implementation and compliance we would definitely take a look at it,” Passarelli wrote. “In regards to whether or not it would make our town safer, I do not believe it would. We have the privilege of providing police services to a wonderful community with a fairly low crime rate and a low volume of violent crime.”

Leaders from the nine other departments openly support concealed carry, offering similar arguments. (Officials from the Elburn, North Aurora, Montgomery and Sandwich police departments did not return calls for comment.) If bad guys have guns, then citizens should be able to protect themselves, officials said.

“The bad people have guns, but the legitimate people do not,” Kendall County Sheriff Richard Randall said.

“I don’t think (not having concealed carry) makes us safer at all,” said Plano Chief Steven Eaves. “Our Constitution says we have the right to defend ourselves.”

Guns are common at shooting ranges and sporting shows, but there has been no significant increase in crime, Eaves said. Similarly, every other state has decided that concealed carry makes residents more safe and they have not seen an epidemic of vigilante justice.

“I think they’re finally looking at the statistics and seeing we could use a little help out there,” Sugar Grove Chief Brad Sauer said.

The opinion is not unanimous of course. Aurora Cmdr. Joe Groom said he shared the concealed carry question at a meeting of department leaders. In a city with a history of gun violence, the leadership’s opinion was split, Groom said. Personally, Groom has no problem with concealed carry.

“The bad guys are going to carry the guns regardless,” Groom said.

Kane County Sheriff Pat Perez said in departments like his, which cover large territories, back up can sometimes be far away. If an officer were being threatened by a suspect with a gun and a permitted resident came to help, “I don’t know too many officers that would say, no, go away,” Perez said.

Of course, permitting would be key, officials said. The restrictions and training would have to be strict. Yorkville Chief Rich Hart wants local chiefs to be able to instantly revoke permits in an emergency situation.

Some states still restrict concealed weapons in certain areas, like government buildings or schools. Local chiefs were split on what, if anything, should be exempt from concealed carry.

“If you’re going to go out drinking, you probably shouldn’t have your gun because things are going to get stupid,” said Somonauk’s Smith. “Guns and alcohol don’t usually mix.”

Illinois’ gun history

Nobody can be confident about what will happen in Illinois without knowing why it has clung to a policy that every other state rejects. There’s no single explanation, however. Illinois has held out, for a long list of reasons: A strong gun control movement. A dynasty of powerful Chicago mayors. A line-up of state leaders who oppose expanding access to guns.

In much of the state, guns are commonplace, used for hunting and target-shooting. But in Chicago, guns are associated with crime. People worry that concealed guns will mean more shootings. But plenty of states have legalized concealed carry despite having large cities where gun crimes are a major concern: New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania and others.

Harry Wilson, a gun control expert at Virginia’s Roanoke College, suggested the difference could be that the major cities in those states don’t have the same political muscle as Chicago — home to two legendary mayors named Daley, both who served more than 20 years. Both Daleys emphasized gun control. The city’s new mayor, Rahm Emanuel, who took office in May, certainly won’t abandon the issue, but might not consider concealed carry to be a top priority.

The state’s most powerful politicians come from Chicago and collectively dominate the Illinois Legislature. The governor, Senate president, House speaker and attorney general are all Chicago Democrats. Gov. Pat Quinn has promised to veto concealed carry legislation if it were to reach his desk.

Changing demographics

But Quinn’s role might not matter if concealed carry were to win legislative approval, which would require a three-fifths vote under procedural rules. When the Illinois House voted on the issue in June, concealed carry had a 65-32 majority but still failed. It needed 71 votes to pass. But that means if it ever reaches the governor, it would have enough votes to overcome Quinn’s veto.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Brandon Phelps, a Democrat from Harrisburg in rural southern Illinois, said support is inching upward because of the state’s new legislative districts. With Chicago’s population declining, many of the city’s districts have been redrawn to stretch out into the suburbs. So some city-based politicians may wind up running partly in areas that are more sympathetic to legalizing concealed weapons.

“I see more Chicago legislators opening up to talk,” said Phelps.

And if every other state lets people carry concealed guns, it’s no longer possible to argue the idea is radical and dangerous, gun rights advocates say.

Phelps hopes to hold another vote during the Legislature’s brief fall session or when they resume normal business next year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.