Concealed Carry for Illinois

SB 0348

Creates the Family and Personal Protection Act. Establishes statewide uniform standards for the issuance of permits to carry concealed firearms in this State. Vests in the county sheriff the authority to issue concealed firearms permits to qualified applicants. Requires an applicant to complete a training course in handgun use, safety, and marksmanship. Also requires instruction in the law relating to firearm use. Requires an applicant to be at least 21 years of age. Prohibits an applicant who has been convicted of a felony or has a history of mental illness, addiction, or habitual alcohol use from obtaining a permit. Creates the Citizen Safety and Self-Defense Trust Fund in each county administered by the sheriff. Provides that the moneys in the Fund shall be used to administer the Act. Establishes restrictions on carrying concealed firearms. Establishes standards for the training course and for certifying instructors. Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that the Family and Personal Protection Act supersedes an ordinance of a unit of local government inconsistent with that Act. Prohibits a home rule unit from regulating the issuance of permits to carry concealed firearms. Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Exempts from an unlawful use of weapons and aggravated unlawful use of weapons violation persons who carry or possess firearms in accordance with the Family and Personal Protection Act. Effective immediately.


Urge Your Legislators to support this.

FOID Card will be valid for 10yrs.

Effective June 1, 2008 FOID Cards valid for 10yrs. fee increased to $10.

"(430 ILCS 65/5) (from Ch. 38, par. 83-5)
Sec. 5. The Department of State Police shall either approve
or deny all applications within 30 days from the date they are
received, and every applicant found qualified pursuant to
Section 8 of this Act by the Department shall be entitled to a
Firearm Owner's Identification Card upon the payment of a $10
$5 fee. $6 $3 of each fee derived from the issuance of Firearm
Owner's Identification Cards, or renewals thereof, shall be
deposited in the Wildlife and Fish Fund in the State Treasury;
$1 of such fee shall be deposited in the State Police Services
Fund and $3 $1 of such fee shall be deposited in the Firearm
Owner's Notification Fund. Monies in the Firearm Owner's
Notification Fund shall be used exclusively to pay for the cost
of sending notices of expiration of Firearm Owner's
Identification Cards under Section 13.2 of this Act. Excess
monies in the Firearm Owner's Notification Fund shall be used

to ensure the prompt and efficient processing of applications
received under Section 4 of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 94-353, eff. 7-29-05.)

(430 ILCS 65/7) (from Ch. 38, par. 83-7)
Sec. 7. Except as provided in Section 8 of this Act, a
Firearm Owner's Identification Card issued under the
provisions of this Act shall be valid for the person to whom it
is issued for a period of 10 5 years from the date of issuance.
(Source: Laws 1967, p. 2600.)"- Public Act 095-0581

Full Text HERE.

The End of Firearm Sales at Wal-Mart?

From the National Rifle Association, Institute for Legislative Action:

"Wal-Mart To Create Gun Buyer Database

Friday, April 18, 2008

Recently, Wal-Mart joined New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg at a gathering of Bloomberg’s anti-gun group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, to announce a series of changes to the way in which Wal-Mart handles firearm transactions. At the press event, J.P. Suarez, chief compliance officer for Wal-Mart Stores Inc., said: “The costs are, we think, part of what it takes to be responsible.” Suarez also added, "This is not a signal that we're getting out of firearms."

Once these changes are up and running, firearm purchases at Wal-Mart will involve a video record of the sale, which the store will keep on file -- effectively creating a video database of gun purchasers. In addition, Wal-Mart announced that its employees will be given discretion to deny firearms purchases to anyone who has had a firearm traced by BATFE for any reason -- including those who have had a firearm stolen and later used in criminal activity.

Wayne LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President, said, “I view it as a public relations stunt that stigmatizes law-abiding firearms purchasers exercising their constitutional freedoms. I honestly think it's a corporation trying to curry favor with politicians as opposed to doing anything meaningful about stopping crime.”

If you’d like to let Wal-Mart know what you think about their new policy, please contact them by phone, at (800) 925-6278; or electronically, at http://www.walmartstores.com/contactus/feedback.aspx."-NRA-ILA


J.P. Suarez may not think this signals that Wal-Mart is getting out of firearms, but he may soon realize they are.

After stopping sales of firearms at all but 12 stores in Illinois, this may be the act that breaks the camel's back. Many hunters have expressed feeling overlooked by the retail giant, our local store didn't have any loads for turkey hunters this spring. Our local store had a hand full of calls, some box call chalk, and a turkey target for patterning a shotgun...that's it. Hunters went to the store looking for the necessary gear and shells for the spring season and were disappointed with the slim to nothing choices. Last fall they dropped archery on October 1, and now they seem to not care about selling items for turkey hunting. I know not all the Wal-Mart stores were without turkey hunting supplies, but we are in the middle of turkey country here!

I understand stores have to make a profit, it is a business after all. But, if they turn customers away by not having what they want the customer will start looking elsewhere for all their hunting supplies.

Now, add this to telling a customer that they have to submit to archived video recording of all firearm transactions and you are asking to stop selling all hunting supplies. Most firearm owners like their privacy and oppose a firearm purchase database, no matter who compiles and controls it.

If Wal-Mart pursues this, they will most likely become the nations smallest retailer of firearms. Maybe they should study the history of Smith and Wesson?

IDNR Rate Hikes?

This story talks about a possibility of higher fees in Illinois.

Yes, we could likely stand a bit of a higher cost to use the state parks. No, I don't think we should have to pay because our government can't handle money better than a two year old.

Pheasants on the chopping block?

Pantagraph Article

It seems Gov. Rod Blagojevich is willing to start cutting funding for hunting programs. He could probably save the state more by sleeping in the Governor's mansion instead of commuting from Chicago.

Cougar Shot After Failing to Comply with Law Enforcement

Chicago Tribune April 15 Page 1 Story

I suppose this doesn't surprise anyone. The Chicago cops did what they are trained to do intimidate and force compliance.

The comments speak volumes.

First Attempt for coyotes.

Tonight I made my first attempt at calling in a coyote. I went to an area where I bow hunt deer and have observed coyotes on several occasions. The setup is shown below.


The blue arrow indicates wind, my hide is at the orange dot (lower left, looking into the wind. There is an old weed covered mound at that spot, left from a bulldozer clearing the land many years ago. I simply slid in under some weeds, set up the bipod, checked for weeds that might obstruct a shot, and glassed a few minutes before calling. I do the same thing when moving into a deer stand. I climb up and look around for a bit before getting all the gear settled. This gives me a chance to see game I may have missed when walking in, before I scare it off moving around and making noise with the gear.

I used an H.S. Strut Double D diaphragm call. I have been listening to sound samples from Varmint Al's site and practicing. I do this on my way to and from work so I don't drive the wife crazy.

After about an hour and a half, with darkness coming on, I packed up and came home, unsuccessful.

I didn't have high hopes for the first hunt, so I was not disappointed. I haven't spent much time outside since wrapping up the deer seasons and enjoyed the cool spring evening.

So what went right or wrong.

Wrong (sort of)--It was a last minute decision to hunt, so I could have scouted an area for recent activity. The ground is soaked now, tracks would be easy to find. Do more scouting to better chances of success. A ground cover, maybe a camping pad or something like that would be nice to lay on.

Right--The camo seemed to blend good, so I am happy with the new paint job(See Illinois Hunter: The Coyote Rifle). The bipod seemed at a good height. I felt the call sounded good, for a new guy.

Confusion on firearm deer permit applications.

I was told at my place of work that permit applications for firearm deer hunting may not be mailed to past hunters. I sent an e-mail to the DNR asking about this and got a contradicting response.

"Previous permit holders will receive their permit applications in the mail later this month, as has been the case in the past. You can apply online if you'd prefer. Just click on DNR Direct on the home page and use your credit card. http://dnr.state.il.us"-IDNR PIO

The original information came via my supervisor who suggested the local DNR Field Office had said they may not be mailed out.

The application deadline for the first lottery is April 30.

Deer Hunters------First Lottery Deadline

The deadline for applications for firearm and muzzle loader deer hunting is April 30. (First Lottery) I have been asked this question many times, and most people are wondering if the State has printed and mailed the paper applications. I usually receive mine in late March or Early April and have not seen them yet. I suggest application on line at the IDNR site. (Link provided to the left.)

The second lottery deadline is August 14.

More information and paper applications to print here.

Comments OFF!

I like to wander through the mud, muck, trash, and BS on the Brady Bunch website. I was just reading the misinformation on their blog when I noticed every post since July 2007 has comments turned off. If that doesn't show exactly how the stuffed shirt liberals at Brady feel, I don't know what does. I can just hear Paul Helmke now, "You stupid redneck, hick, trigger happy, murderous gun owners need to sit down and shut up while we tell you what reasonable ban means...I mean restriction."

Hypothetical Setup

I have been reading many opinions on calling coyotes. It seems some guys use only mouth calls, some only electronic, and some use both. I purchased an H.S. Strut diaphragm call for turkey and have been messing around with it. I have been able to produce some decent sounds with it, but they seem a little loud. I am hoping to get to the field soon and try it.

Most of the stuff I read uses some type of distress call. I have no doubt that would bring coyotes looking for an easy meal. Rabbit squeals, squirrel calls, and small bird sounds seem to be the norm. Most guys warn about calling to loud or to long, so I will have to keep that in mind.

I have heard some electronic calls that sound good to me, but I am not trying to fool me. I like the idea of setting an electronic call up down wind and behind me. If I put myself between where I believe the coyotes to be and the call, I hope they will pass by looking for the call.

In this setup, I suspect they would come to the point in the field before crossing. I may be wrong, but this is my best guess. Time and trial will tell.

These are some random thoughts about setup and calling.

The Coyote Rifle

I don't know what the perfect coyote rifle is. I do know that anyone will feel confident and shoot better with a rifle they are comfortable with. I purchased a Savage 110 a few years back for a really good price, brand new for $180. I found it at a Wal Mart, they wanted me to have it so bad they kept marking it down until I folded and bought the rifle. It is a Sierra model with black synthetic chambered in .270 Win. I know some of you just went, "Oh my God!", but I like this flat shooting caliber and without a doubt it will take down a 'yotie over some yardage. I don't believe you can make a coyote too dead.

This is an early model without the accutrigger. So, the first order of business was working the trigger to an acceptable and reasonable pull. I little time with the allens and very little polishing turned out a clean break and workable pull weight. I don't carry a feather light trigger in the field. (A note of caution: If you do not know exactly what to do with a trigger group, leave it alone or seek a competent smith. If not done correctly the safety may not work or the firearm may become unsafe.)

I have shot this rifle and become very comfortable with it. I have recently mounted a mil-dot scope w/lighted reticle and target turrets. It is a Center Point brand, it was cheap for the features and I will see how it performs and holds up. I would like to have a Leupold MK-IV, but am seriously lacking those funds. I have kids to put through college!

The most recent addition has been a bipod and camo job. I used the "ultra flat" camo paint from Wal-Mart. I chose the tan and drab green, black just isn't a natural color unless it is night.

First I removed the action, trigger guard, butt pad, and all the screws. At this point I soak it down with Simple Green and wash it, this degreases everything so the paint will stick. I dried it with a towel and then used compressed air to make certain all the water was out of the screw holes and corners. A little moisture would likely ruin the paint job and any oil will certainly keep it from sticking.

After degreasing the stock and drying, I masked off the grip cap and inside the barrel channel and bedding area. I may glass bed this someday and don't want to scrape paint away to do it.

And then the black stock became a tan "ultra flat" stock...apply a nice even coat of the tan.

The next step was to apply the "stencil".....

I used some dead grass that grows tall and thick in a waterway near my barn, I believe it is some type of fescue.

This is the resulting pattern after applying the drab green over the grass.

Here is a shot inside the stock. The entire area was masked off and therefore no paint!

This was my first attempt at a camo job on a stock. I am very pleased with the results, I just hope the Wal Mart paint holds up.

A few notes:

1. Grass does not often grow horizontal, so don't lay your pattern out that way.

2.Test your color/pattern on something before you start on your gun. I thought I knew what I wanted, turns out I used the colors backward to what I originally planned. I used a piece of 4" PVC pipe, just to see how going around the corner worked.

3.I don't like much if any black in the pattern. It just seems to make a blob that is to easily spotted. I am thinking about painting the entire action, barrel, and scope.

4. There are many products offered for coating firearms, I chose cheap and easily applied. I may try Dura Coat in the future.

5. If you are going to coat the entire weapon, don't forget to mask off markings on the scope and areas that paint may keep from operating properly. i.e.-adjustable power rings or adjustable objectives, target turrets, things that may need to move at some time.

6. Mask the end of the barrel if you are going to coat the barrel.

The Beginning

Hello, my name is David. I live in Central/Southern Illinois, and have been hunting for some time. I used to blog about gun rights and activism, one day I just stopped, that will continue here! But, what prompted my return to blogging was my interest in predator hunting.

I hope what follows will be helpful to those who have an interest in hunting and shooting and maybe some helpful comments from those who have a few years of experience.

I will most likely moderate all comments, I don't want a free-for-all. If comments are made with a bit of thought and intelligence they will be posted. Don't post trying to tell me hunting or shooting is wrong-it is not.

So begins my return to the blog-o-sphere.