Thousands March on Illinois Capital to Support Gun Rights

Springfield, IL

March 10, 2010

The Illinois State Rifle Association, IllinoisCarry.com, Second Amendment Sister, Inc., and many other organizations that support the right to keep and bear arms marched on the State Capital March 10, 2010 to lobby the State legislature.  They were joined by Otis McDonald and David and Collen Lawson who are plaintiffs in the McDonald v. Chicago case.

As the march approached the call for "Concealed Carry Now!" could be heard resonating from those attending.  The group gathered on the front lawn of the capitol building and heard from ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson and Otis McDonald, one of the plaintiffs in McDonald v. Chicago, a case recently heard in the U.S. Sepreme Court.  Some of the legislators took the time to come outside and address the group and expressed support for the cause.

After the rally outside, the group entered the capital building and dropped by their legislators offices to let them know how they felt.  Armed with a list of legislation they supported and opposed.  The predominate bill supported was a bill introduced by Rep. Brandon Phelps(D-Harrisburg) that creates a concealed carry permit system.  Opposed is a list of bills that further restrict private ownership of firearms including HB-5480 introduced by Rep. Harry Osterman(D-Chicago) that requires private individuals to go to the place of business of an FFL holder and have that FFL holder preform a background check under NICS.

I spoke with Richard Pearson, executive director of the ISRA, who said an estimate of over 6,000 attended the rally.  That fell short of the 10,000 goal, but was still an increase from the previous year.

Fee Increases-unhappy new year to sportsmen in Illinois.

With the beginning of a new year the cost to hunt and fish gets higher

SB1846
10/30/2009 Senate Passed Both Houses
11/25/2009 Senate Sent to the Governor
12/4/2009 Senate Governor Approved
12/4/2009 Senate Effective Date January 1, 2010
12/4/2009 Senate Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0831

Public Act 096-0831


(515 ILCS 5/20-45) (from Ch. 56, par. 20-45)
Sec. 20-45. License fees for residents.
Fees for licenses for residents of the State of Illinois shall be as follows:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, for sport fishing devices as defined in Section 10-95 or
spearing devices as defined in Section 10-110 the fee is $14.50 $12.50 for individuals 16 to 64 years old, and one-half of the current fishing license fee for individuals age 65 or older, commencing with the 1994 license year.

The sportsmen's combination license fee shall be $25.50 $18.50.

The fee for a Deer Hunting Permit to take deer with either bow and arrow or gun shall not exceed $25.00 $15.00 for residents of the State.

(The fee has not changed for non-residents.)

The fee for a hunting license to hunt all species for a resident of Illinois is $12 $7. For residents age 65 or older, the fee is one-half of the fee charged for a hunting license to hunt all species for a resident of Illinois. Nonresidents shall be charged $57 $50 for a hunting license.

Each applicant for a State Migratory Waterfowl Stamp, regardless of his residence or other condition, shall pay a fee of $15 $10 and shall receive a stamp.

(No increase in the Habitat Stamp)

Section 99-99. Effective date. This Act takes effect on January 1, 2010.

Here is the way the anti-freedom, anti-gun politicians in Illinois greet over 5000 Illinois gun owners...

HB 12 - One Gun a Month
3/11/2009 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Susana A Mendoza
3/11/2009 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez
3/11/2009 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Cynthia Soto
3/11/2009 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. William Davis
3/11/2009 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Marlow H. Colvin

This is how they responded to over 5000 gun owners coming to Springfield, IL on March 11, 2009.

If any of these freedom hating politicians is your State Representative, please vote them out of office.

$1 Million Insurance Bill Gets Tabled!

Rep. Kenneth Dunkin, who sponsored HB 687, has talked with Illinois gun owners and agreed to table the bill.

Now, that is a result from the IGOLD.

Rep. Dunkin, thank you for listening to reason and talking with gun owners.

HB 2257 Passes out of Committee with an Amendment

HB 2257 creates a carry licensing system for the State of Illinois.

The bill was passed out of committee today with an amendment adding a requirement for fingerprinting and a fee. Also added was a requirement to file the application for a carry license with your local sheriff's department.

Illinois SB 1976 may be dead!

SB 1976 has been assigned to the Public Health Committee, three Chicago lawmakers sit on that committee. I believe several others are from the Chicago area. So this one is likely dead.

Open Carry for Illinois

In this article I mentioned a carry bill that has no mention of a requirement to carry concealed. Please call your legislators in support of HB 2257.

Family Deer Hunting Permits

HB 0674 - Amends the Wildlife Code. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to issue deer permits without charge to the immediate family of an Illinois landowner who resides in Illinois, owns at least 40 acres of Illinois land, and wishes to hunt his or her land; however, those permits are valid for hunting only on that landowner's land. Members of a landowner's immediate family who do not wish to hunt only on land owned by their immediate family member shall be charged the same fee as the landowner. Defines "immediate family". Effective immediately.

Hunter and Fisherman Interference Bill

HB 2546 - Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois and the Hunter Interference Prohibition Act. Changes the name of the Hunter Interference Prohibition Act to the Hunter and Fishermen Interference Prohibition Act. Clarifies that the renamed Act applies to the taking of aquatic life as well as wildlife.


In the past the laws only effected interference of hunting activities, this bill would change that to include fishing as well. It also provides that a court can award damages to include punitive, and also award repayment of travel, license, and other fees related to a hunt or fishing activity that was interfered with.

Lead fishing weight ban, could this mean a lead ammo ban as well?

SB 1269 - Creates the Lead Sinker Act. Prohibits any person from selling, supplying, distributing or offering to sell, supply, or distribute lead sinkers and lead jigs. Prohibits the use of lead sinkers and lead jigs to take fish in freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, brooks, and similar bodies of water over which the Department of Natural Resources ("the Department") has jurisdiction under the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. Requires the Department, after consulting with the Illinois State Board of Education, to institute an educational program that meets certain requirements. Requires the Department to (i) notify the public about the Act's prohibitions; (ii) enforce the Act; (iii) confiscate, under certain circumstances, lead jigs or lead sinkers that it finds in the course of enforcing the Act; and (iv) suspend, for not more than 6 months, the hunting and fishing privileges of a person who uses a lead sinker or lead jig to take fish in violation of the Act.

Common Sense Gun Laws

Now this is a "common sense" gun law!

HB 0171 by Rep. David Reis

"Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that the waiting period for withholding delivery of a firearm after application for its purchase has been made does not apply to the transfer of an operable firearm in exchange for another operable firearm. Effective immediately."

Finally, a bill that makes good sense.

Now, how about a bill that says if you already own a firearm you don't have to undergo the waiting period to purchase another. Doesn't it stand to reason? The whole reason touted for the waiting period is to prevent a person who gets angry at someone from stopping by a store, purchasing a gun, and then shooting who they are mad at, right?

Saying "YES" to carry!

The Quad City Times has this letter, by Rita Coyne of Moline, IL, about carry in Illinois.

"We have enough problems with gun violence without adding permits to carry concealed weapons. This bill is opposed by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police who have firsthand experience with weapons and violence.

You might also register your opinion against such legislation to Sen. Mike Jacobs, for he, too, is in favor of allowing people to carry concealed weapons, and because the Senate will also have to vote on further legislation."

I suggest letting these legislators know we support their decision to support this issue.

Rep. Patrick J Verschoore (D)
72nd District

Springfield Office:
259-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-5970
(217) 558-1253 FAX

District Office:
Cnty Off Bldg-1504 3rd Ave.
2nd Floor
Rock Island, IL 61201
(309) 558-3612
(309) 793-4764 FAX
Rock Island County

Senator Mike Jacobs (D)
36th District

Springfield Office:
Senator 36th District
127 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-5957

District Office:
606 19th Street
Moline, IL 61265
(309) 797-0001
(309) 797-0003 FAX

$1million Insurance=less gun ownership?

I think the anti-gun politicians in Illinois are trying to offset the Obama effect on firearm sales!

"One bill that is getting a lot of attention is HB 687, which would be a $1,000,000 insurance policy required of FOID card holders. Outrageous? You bet. One can only wonder at the motivations for introducing legislation like that."-from the ISRA website.

Let's face it, Obama and the liberal majority in D.C. have prompted the highest sales volume of firearms and ammunition we have seen in a long time. The retailer I work for had a stack of 4473's for December that was larger than the stack for the rest of '08. I know Christmas has some effect, but I haven't seen that big of a difference before.

Maybe I give the anti's too much credit, maybe they just want to make gun ownership expensive here in Illinois. Either way, the cost of a $1million policy would make many of us cringe.

Another Thought on Carry

Here is what I have been thinking, why have another ID to carry around?

We have the FOID, why not establish a "carry endorsement" that can be on the FOID?
I think this would lighten the burden on the State and make providing proof of a license to carry easier, we all know the police are going to ask for an FOID if you have a firearm with you.

Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day - IGOLD

This years Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2009. I have attended in the past and saw a huge turnout. Be ready to search the Capital and locate your representatives' offices. If you don't know your districts, you will want to look them up before you go. Just remember to be courteous to those conducting the business of our State, we want to make a positive impression not be a nuisance.

I think we have a chance at seeing a carry bill pass into law this year. Let's make certain our lawmakers know how the people feel. Even if your representatives already support firearm rights and carry, other lawmakers will notice the support.

Help support firearm ownership and carry!

For more information and details visit the ISRA IGOLD page.

More thoughts on Carry in Illinois

I was reading HB 2257 and I realized there was no mention of "concealed" being a requirement.

"...qualified to carry firearms on or about their persons..."-HB 2257 Section 5.

The bill simply establishes a system to determine persons eligible to acquire a "LTC" or "License To Carry". There is no mention of the requirement to conceal the firearm. I have always felt that concealed carry would invite charges for brandishing a weapon or something to that effect if your jacket fell open or the wind blew your shirt and exposed the weapon.

The bill also establishes a means for municipalities and businesses to post "No Carry Zones" by posting their property, yet does restrict them from prohibiting carry in ones vehicle on a parking area of that property.

I like this bill. No, I don't favor the municipalities being able to restrict carry, but it may be what is needed to get it passed. This creates the problem of plotting a driving route through Illinois so as to miss all the No Carry municipalities. I think after the leaders of those municipalities that would restrict carry see the resultant decrease in crime, they will change their minds or the voters will change them.

Illinois Concealed Carry is on the move!

I have a feeling Illinois is going to see some form of concealed carry soon. Maybe the Chicago machine can take a hint. All of these are bills for concealed carry in Illinois.

HB 0367 Passed out of committee.
HB 0245 Passed out of committee.
HB 0462 Passed out of committee.
SB 1976
HB 2257


Now, I am honored you are reading my blog, but go to the Illinois General Assembly page and find your reps phone number and call in support of these bills!

Illinois Legislation a.k.a. "Stupid laws"

These are all bills currently in the Illinois General assembly:

HB 2389-Requires anyone selling a firearm to ask the recipient if they have previously owned a firearm, and if not provide them a firearm safety brochure. I'm not sure who prints or pays for the brochure.

HB 0179-Changes the current storage laws that require a person to keep a firearm locked or otherwise inaccessible from a person 14 years of age or younger to a person 18 years or younger.

HB 0045-Requires anyone selling a firearm to do so at the business premises of a licensed firearm dealer, and requires that dealer to conduct the sale as if the firearm was in their inventory, this requires the NICS background check for all firearm sales.

SB 0085-Holds firearm owners liable for actions of a person they sell a firearm to.

SB 1875-Don't know why, but strikes the word "the" and replaces the same word with "the". I think they wanted to waste some time.

And on the topic of stupid laws......

HB0687

Introduced 2/6/2009, by Rep. Kenneth Dunkin

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
430 ILCS 65/4.5 new
430 ILCS 65/8 from Ch. 38, par. 83-8

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act.

"Provides that any person who owns a firearm in this State shall maintain a policy of liability insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000 specifically covering any damages resulting from negligent or willful acts involving the use of such firearm while it is owned by such person. Provides that a person shall be deemed the owner of a firearm after the firearm is lost or stolen until such loss or theft is reported to the police department or sheriff of the jurisdiction in which the owner resides. Provides that the Department of State Police shall revoke and seize a Firearm Owner's Identification Card previously issued under this Act if the Department finds that the person to whom such card was issued possesses or acquires a firearm and does not submit evidence to the Department of State Police that he or she has been issued in his or her name a liability insurance policy in the amount of at least $1,000,000 specifically covering any damages resulting from negligent or willful acts involving the use of such firearm while it is owned by such person. Effective January 1, 2010."


Rep. Dunkin, would a person who commits "willful acts" not already be liable for those actions?

Why do we need to force a $1,000,000 insurance policy on every gun owner in Illinois?

Why not a $1,000,000 policy for car owners, more people are hurt by cars than by firearms?
(Look at the CDC statistics, I did.)

Do you own or have relations with someone who owns an insurance company?

I guess if they can't figure out a way to make guns illegal, they will just try everything they can to make firearm ownership too expensive for most people.

Legislation

Some legislation fellows hunters may want to contact their representatives about. Some is legislation to allow carry in Illinois!

From IllinoisCarry.org

Current Legislation

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.