Why haven’t the Liberal politicians figured out that only the law-abiding folks want the right to get a permit to carry a firearm for self-defense?Criminals have never cared about gun laws and enjoy the freedom from random police searches because of the Fourth Amendment. Most folks don’t know that felons are not required to register their guns because of rights under the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination. These same criminals don’t care about laws against robbery, rape or murder either.
Unfortunately, punitive laws eliminating the right to possess or carry firearms cause people to look for a back door to regain the rights politicians took away. In California the wealthy can make generous campaign contributions to Sheriff’s re-election campaigns or simply bribe various public officials for the right to carry a firearm for self-defense. Does this sound corrupt? It’s not under California law!
In Illinois, there are no permits to issue so the wealthy visit their local Sheriff or Coroner and simply get deputized again via that simple but legal form of corruption. In Illinois that also provides full police powers to anyone given a deputy’s star.
Other people desperate for a way to lawfully protect themselves and families opt for more creative ways such as forming animal control and law enforcement agencies. They do that just to get around unreasonable laws and regain the right to keep and bear arms. Again the granting of unnecessary police powers is involved.
Nearly the entire nation has adopted simple laws that allow the law-abiding to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense. Forty states have the "shall issue" permit systems and two other states; Vermont and Alaska allow carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.
It’s common knowledge that CCW permit holders have universally demonstrated good behavior. Many politicians warned us of the shootouts at every traffic accident between permit holders that never happened. Too many politicians simply hate guns and gun rights and legislate them away whenever they can.
California Concealed Weapon Permit applications are off the charts when it comes to privacy invasion and nonsense. The 20 page CCW applications are longer than what’s required of applicants seeking employment as a police officer!
Then there is that ugly issue of racism in California’s corrupt CCW permit selling program. The minority citizens are last to be issued permits.
Comments
When I retire, H.B. 218 will allow me to carry a firearm anywhere in the country. I believe I earned that right through my faithful service. However, I'm ashamed that the rest of the citizens of Illinois (including occupied Chicago) cannot share in that priviledge because they are not retired peace officers.
My father put it to me best: You won't always be a police officer, but you'll always be a gun owner." He was right. I joined the NRA long ago and have been a life member for a long time.
Illinois is one of a handful of states without concealed carry. We need more people to join NRA and push their legislators into passing commons sense concealed carry laws.
It would be easy for me to stand on the sidelines and remain silent, after all, I'll be a retired peace officer and I'll get mine. But I'm not a hypocrite. Honest citizens shouldn't have to be at the mercy of criminals who don't give a damn. My 2¢ worth.
P.S. Crimefile, your comments on SCC are great, keep up the good work!