Recently, some Republican and Democratic Senators have begun to discuss and consider exempting Chicago and Cook County from the “shall-issue” portion of the concealed carry law that a federal court has ordered be adopted by June 9. Such an exemption would allow Chicago and Cook County authorities to deny a concealed carry permit to an applicant even if that person meets all of the statutory requirements. The rest of the state, however, would be required under law to grant concealed carry permits to anyone who meets the requirements.
Any exemption for Chicago and Cook County could easily deny 40% of the population “shall-issue” right to carry. Although no bill language has been introduced yet, it is important that you call your state Senator immediately. Urge him or her to oppose any legislation or amendment that would split the residents of Illinois, giving some more rights than others. Currently, the Illinois House is very close to passing a solid “shall-issue” right to carry bill to benefit and provide the ability to carry a firearm for self-defense to all law-abiding Illinois residents. The state Senate should not indicate that they are willing to abandon 40% of the population.
Our constitutional right to keep and bear arms and inherent right to self-defense protect all Americans, not just some in a particular state, city or county. And, in fact, given the violent crime rates in Chicago and Cook County, law-abiding residents of these municipalities arguably have a greater need than others in Illinois to carry a firearm for self-defense since they are far more likely to be victims of violent crime, and their local government officials refuse to deal effectively with violent criminals there.
Please contact your state Senator TODAY and urge him or her to support equal right to carry laws for ALL Illinoisans. Contact information for your state Senator can be found here.
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