Rep. Reis Disappointed But Steadfast in Support of Concealed Carry

May 5, 2011

Springfield, IL.…State Representative David Reis (R-Ste. Marie) released the following statement in response to the House’s failure to pass conceal carry legislation on Thursday.

“Since taking my oath to represent the 108th District, I’ve been an outspoken advocate for our Second Amendment rights and will continue to fight for common-sense firearm legislation, as concealed carry, in the General Assembly.

“After the U.S. Supreme court’s ruling overturning the City of Chicago’s gun ban, we felt confident conceal carry legislation could pass in the Illinois legislature; however, today those hopes were thwarted by Chicago politicians committed to denying the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.

“With forty-eight states instituting some form of concealed carry with little to no problems and lowering their crime rates, I believe their successes clearly prove our need to enact concealed carry in Illinois. Law-abiding citizens must be entitled to carry a firearm if they meet the eligibility requirements and provisions set forth in House Bill 148.

“As a lawmaker, husband, father and son, I fully understand and value my Second Amendment rights, and I will continue to fight for concealed carry to be the law of the land in Illinois.”

House Bill 148, chief co-sponsored by Rep. Reis, would allow the issuance of conceal carry licenses to qualified residents who meet necessary legal requirements. The Illinois State Police would issue licenses to residents allowing them to carry concealed firearms if they are at least 21 years of age and have completed specified training requirements developed by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board.

Concealed firearms would not be permitted in government buildings, correctional institutions, courthouses, mental health facilities, collegiate or professional sporting events and schools. Local ordinances or laws would be prohibited from infringing on a permit holders ability to carry a concealed handgun on public sidewalks, roadways, public restrooms, or a public housing facility.

Conceal carry legislation earned the support from both statewide and local law enforcement organizations. Those in support included: (1) National Rifle Association; (2) Illinois State Rifle Association; (3) Illinois Sheriffs Association; (4) Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police; (5) Sangamon County Rifle Association; (6) Police Benevolent & Protective Association; (7) Eastern Illinois University; (8) Colleen Lawson and Otis McDonald (Plaintiffs, McDonald v. Chicago); (9) Madison County State’s Attorney; (10) Peoria County Sheriff; (11) Tazewell County Sheriff; (12) Fulton County Sheriff; (13) International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150; (14) Chicago Police Sergeants PBPA Unit 156A; and (15) Chicago Police Lieutenants Association.

House Bill 148 was narrowly defeated in the House after a heated debate on a vote of X-X. The legislation remains stalled in the House.