Ill. Assn. of Chiefs of Police Support Legalizing Concealed Carry Proposal

[RamboLiberal]

Chicago - Leaders of the Illinois Assn. of Chiefs of Police voted Wednesday to change their stance on the issue. They now support legalizing concealed carry.

It’s a big boost for those trying to repeal Illinois’s ban on the concealed carrying of handguns. The group of top cops had long opposed the idea. They voted two years to go neutral on the issue.

State Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) and leaders of the Illinois State Rifle Assn. have been negotiating for months with law enforcement officials across the state. Phelps is chief sponsor of a concealed carry proposal that’s already won approval from a committee of the Illinois House.

Phelps said the measure will likely be amended further. He hopes the General Assembly will send it to Gov. Quinn by the end of April.

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/illinois-association-cheifs-police-support-legalizing-concealed-carry-proposal-20110331

[spin]

1. It will be interesting to see if the crime rate in Chicago drops ...

if honest citizens can legally carry concealed.

At a minimum, licensed citizens will finally have the ability to exercise their right of self defense in an effective manner.

[madrchsod]

5. crime rate/murder rate in chicago has dropped to early 60`s levels.

i doubt concealed weapon carry will drastically reduce the murder rate

[spin]

6. I doubt it too and I have a concealed carry permit ...

Much of the violent crime rate in Chicago is due to drug gangs fighting over turf.

Most people with carry permits do not go to dangerous areas unless they absolutely have to and practice situational awareness. They are also unlikely to be involved in the drug trade.

If more unarmed people practiced simple situational awareness instead of walking around with cell phone glued to their ear, fewer people would be attacked on the street.

But there will be examples of people who use their concealed weapons in legitimate and responsible self defense. Some lives that would have be sacrificed to criminals before concealed carry was allowed, will now be saved.

I could be wrong and many criminals who migrated to Chicago because the old strict gun laws made for a safer work environment, may decide to leave and live in New York City. The big Apple does allow concealed carry but it's almost a requirement to be rich and famous before you can get a permit.

[safeinOhio]

2. Thanks for posting about

a Democratic Rep and not Darrell Issa.

:toast:

[YllwFvr]

3. excellent!

good for the chiefs! I prefer to hear of LEOs approving of carry. The ones that dont seem to have an air of "us but not you". I will admit to being a bit biased however

[RamboLiberal]

4. Most of the time it is the brass who are against citizen carry

And the rank and file cops who favor. Well except for a few - mostly in big cities.

[spin]

7. I know in Florida the rank and file police officers have no problem ...

with licensed concealed carry by citizens. They do have a major problem with criminals who carry illegally.

Several police officers have told me that they have never had a problem with a person who had a concealed weapons permit.

[Glassunion]

8. Nooooooooooo! Blood in the streets and stuff.

There will be wild west shootings over parking spaces, shootings over girl's volleyball games and other stuff. It's only a matter of time and whatnot. Think of the children and stuff.

:sarcasm:

[GreenStormCloud]

9. By supporting CC they get a seat at the table.

If they oppose CC outright then they don't get any input into the legislation being drafted. By supporting CC they get to have their input listened to. They have decided that it is going to happen so they want some leverage on the final bill. Smart politics.