Autolycus
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Link to following article.
I am not sure how I feel about this. I would prefer the entire state had CCW but it is a start. What do you all think? And where is the NRA and ISRA on this?
Concealed-carry proposal draws comparisons to Dodge City
By John Sharp ([email protected])
of the Journal Star
Posted Dec 22, 2009 @ 11:27 PM
PEORIA —
Dodge City was once known as a true frontier town of the Wild West, where lawlessness and gunslinging were common during the cattle drives of the late 1800s.
But the city also became an unusual reference point during the first public debate Tuesday on whether Peoria should serve as a pilot city for a statewide concealed-carry law.
At-large City Councilman Gary Sandberg questioned how residents will be able to possess concealed handguns at restaurants, taverns and other locations of Peoria that abut nearby cities that wouldn't have a concealed-carry law, such as Peoria Heights and West Peoria.
Sandberg also wondered how the law could be enforced at restaurants like La Gondola (formerly Leonardo's), where portions of the business are located in both Peoria and Peoria Heights.
"Will there be a board on the side of the building where they can hang the gun up like they do in Dodge City?" Sandberg asked during a debate on whether to include the concealed-carry provision on the city's 2010 list of legislative priorities.
Mayor Jim Ardis, a proponent of the legislation making Peoria a pilot city for a statewide concealed-carry law, replied he's never said that the Illinois law has to mirror activities of Dodge City and "didn't know if they have a place to hang a gun up at a restaurant."
He said he thinks there are ways to make the logistics of a Peoria-only law work. He also said details about the law will continue to be worked on with local lawmakers.
Illinois is one of only two states in the United States without any kind of concealed-carry law. Wisconsin is the other.
"If the other 48 states haven't turned into the Wild, Wild West, it won't happen in Illinois, either," Ardis said.
Sandberg was one of only two council members voting against including the measure on the legislative wish list that will be presented to area state lawmakers Dec. 29.
"I don't think it is a good idea to encourage firearms," Sandberg said.
At-large City Councilman Jim Montelongo, who also is running for state representative next year, was the other "No" vote.
"There are a lot of unanswered questions," Montelongo said, referring to the border issues raised by Sandberg. "It doesn't seem feasible."
Earlier this month, state Sen. Dale Risinger, R-Peoria, said he was going to wait and see what the outcome will be of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the city of Chicago's handgun ban before proposing a concealed-carry law for Peoria. A ruling is expected in March.
Ardis initially pushed to have Peoria serve as a test city for a responsible statewide concealed-carry law in May after a rash of shootings occurred in the city, including one at an East Bluff gas station in which an attendant was shot and killed.
He has said the measure could allow Peoria to serve as a test city for three to five years to see if crime drops as a result of arming residents in a responsible manner.
"We are trying to come up with something we can present to state legislators to see if we can get this done or not," Ardis said.
John Sharp can be reached at 686-3282 or [email protected].
I am not sure how I feel about this. I would prefer the entire state had CCW but it is a start. What do you all think? And where is the NRA and ISRA on this?
