Concealed Carry Illinois: New Coalition Forms To Oppose Bill As Veto Session Begins

[SecularMotion]

Chicago community leaders have formed a new coalition to help keep Illinois the lone state that bans concealed carry, running in direct opposition to a vocal bipartisan minority downstate that wants to see the ban lifted.

Monday, the "Stop Concealed Carry Coalition" announced it would fight any bill that would legalize carrying concealed firearms in Illinois, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The coalition includes Alderman Ricardo Munoz (22nd), Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin and Father Michael Pfleger, among others, reports WBEZ. According to a statement, the coalition has already collected more than 6,700 signatures on an anti-concealed carry petition the group plans to deliver to state lawmakers and Gov. Pat Quinn.

The Illinois legislature's veto session starts Tuesday, where lawmakers could vote on a bill that would end the state's ban on concealed weapons. In early November, nine, mostly rural, counties voted on non-binding ballot measures that supported concealed carry in Illinois.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/27/concealed-carry-illinois-_n_2199218.html

[PavePusher]

1. Somehow, I don't see the CC'ers being the problem that the gang members are.

Chicago needs to pull their heads out.

[sarisataka]

2. No hypocricy...

Some aldermen who do not personally bear arms said they understand why others would want to.

"I don’t need one," said Ald. Brian Doherty (41st), the lone City Council Republican from the far Northwest Side. "I feel secure in this area."

But Doherty said he would carry a gun if he lived in a high-crime neighborhood.

"In this position we don’t have bodyguards," Doherty said. "[Aldermen with guns] have the ability to defend themselves."

He added that Ald. Edward Burke (14th), chairman of the Finance Committee, and Tillman both carry guns. Neither Burke nor Tillman returned numerous calls seeking comment.

http://austinweeklynews.1upsoftware.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=727&TM=83154.58

Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Greenville), who voted for the legislation, also needled Daley by citing a report Thursday by Chicago Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed.

“Daley wants a 24-hour, three-person protection unit not only for him but his wife. Why? Because he doesn’t feel safe. That’s what he wants. He wants to be protected by guns, even though this is the same mayor who stood in opposition to Otis McDonald,” Stephens said.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/5208647-418/conceal-carry-bill-fails-in-house.html

[GreenStormCloud]

3. Meanwhile, NINE counties voted overwhelmingly for CC for IL.

THE PEOPLE are speaking and they want CC. Sooner or later they will elect legislators and a governor that will give it to them.

[Eleanors38]

4. "New coalition?" What happened to the old one?