By COREY BOLES - WSJ
WASHINGTON—House lawmakers easily approved legislation on Wednesday that would require states to observe concealed-weapons permits issued by other state governments in a victory for Second Amendment champions in Congress.

In a bipartisan 272-154 vote, more than 40 Democrats joined with nearly every Republican in voting to support the bill.

Rep. Lamar Smith (R., Texas), the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, likened the bill to requiring states to recognize other states' driving licenses. He said that 49 states already extend some degree of reciprocity to permits issued by other jurisdictions.

"This landmark legislation recognizes the importance of the Second Amendment and makes it easier for individuals with concealed carry permits to travel to other states," Mr. Smith said during debate on the House floor.

But opponents to the measure decried both the timing of the vote as well as the fact it forces other states' gun laws on those with more restrictive gun statutes.

"Millions of people are out of work. Our growth rate is anemic. People are clamoring for Congress to pass legislation to grow the economy and help create jobs," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D., N.Y.) "And so what is the House of Representatives doing? This august body is considering…gun legislation."

Rep. John Conyers (D., Mich.), the top Democrat on the judiciary panel, another opponent of the bill, said the bill represents a "curious misunderstanding" of the constitutional right to bear arms. Mr. Conyers said that many prominent law-enforcement organizations also oppose the measure.

Following the House approval, Republicans in the Senate are likely to try to force a vote on the bill in the Senate later this year. Senate Democratic leadership aides said there are no plans to bring up the legislation as a stand-alone measure, citing the crowded legislative agenda.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) is a gun-ownership advocate, but because of opposition of many Democratic lawmakers, he would be unlikely to bring the bill to the floor himself. Instead, Republicans could use a coming debate on legislation that sets the defense spending budget to try to pass the measure.

A similar tactic in 2009 came within two votes of attaching the conceal and carry legislation to that year's defens- spending bill. GOP aides said this approach could be taken again but said no final decisions had yet been made.

 

Not sure if this was posted above (sorry, Bob - haven't read EVERY post ) - but anyway...


U.S. House Passes NRA-backed

National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Legislation



The U.S. House of Representatives has passed an important self-defense measure that would enable millions of Right-to-Carry permit holders across the country to carry concealed firearms while traveling outside their home states. H.R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, passed by a majority bipartisan vote of 272 to 154. All amendments aimed to weaken or damage the integrity of this bill were defeated.

“NRA has made the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act a priority because it enhances the fundamental right to self-defense guaranteed to all law-abiding people,” said Chris W. ***, executive director of NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “People are not immune from crime when they cross state lines. That is why it is vital for them to be able to defend themselves and their loved ones should the need arise.”

H.R. 822, introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), allows any person with a valid state-issued concealed firearm permit to carry a concealed firearm in any state that issues concealed firearm permits, or that does not prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms for lawful purposes.

This bill does not affect existing state laws. State laws governing where concealed firearms may be carried would apply within each state’s borders. H.R. 822 does not create a federal licensing system or impose federal standards on state permits; rather, it requires the states to recognize each others' carry permits, just as they recognize drivers' licenses and carry permits held by armored car guards.

As of today, 49 states have laws in place that permit their citizens to carry a concealed firearm in some form. Only Illinois and the District of Columbia deny its residents the right to carry concealed firearms outside their homes or businesses for self-defense.

“We are grateful for the support of Speaker Boehner, Majority Leader Cantor, Majority Whip McCarthy, Judiciary Chairman Smith and primary sponsors Congressmen Stearns and Shuler for their steadfast support of H.R. 822. Thanks to the persistence of millions of American gun owners and NRA members, Congress has moved one step closer to improving crucial self-defense laws in this country,” concluded ***.


-nra-


Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military.

 

I guess you didn't read the post directly above yours???

This means little if it can't get passed (let alone introduced in the Senate) and signed by your Prez.

 

Hopefully not a new trend...

JOLIET — Police are looking for a man who robbed two people at gunpoint as they drove up to a downtown cash machine Saturday evening.

Police say a man wearing dark clothing walked up to the car about 6:50 p.m., right after the victim pulled up to the ATM at Chase Bank, 120 N. Scott St.

The man, who was estimated to be 5-feet 6-inches tall and 150 pounds, got into the car, showed them a handgun and demanded the occupants withdraw money for him.

Police said they withdrew an unknown amount of money for the man, who also took a cell phone from one victim.

Then he had them drive him to 200 East Cass Street, where he got out of the vehicle and fled, police said.

The victims were not injured, police said.

 

Illinois House Creates Task Force to Explore Possibility of Right-to-Carry Law!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011

During the General Assembly’s veto session on November 9, the Illinois House of Representatives passed House Resolution 550, which creates the Firearm Public Awareness Task Force.

The purpose of this task force is to explore the possibility of a Right-to-Carry law in Illinois. HR 550 stipulates that the NRA will be represented on the task force. Through this position, we will continue intend to educate the Illinois legislature on the importance of Right-to-Carry. It is time for the Land of Lincoln to join the rest of the nation in allowing law-abiding gun owners to carry a firearm for personal protection when away from home.

As this task force meets we will keep you apprised of ways in which you can help promote Right-to-Carry in Illinois.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/bill...0&SessionID=84



+ http://quincyjournal.com/city-counci...321934118.html

+http://www.htrnews.com/article/20111...t-speaker-says

 

Can I design the new flag???

DECATUR, ILL. (AP) -- Some Illinois Republicans want to separate Cook County from the rest of Illinois.

Two Republican Illinois lawmakers say Chicago-style politics are dominating the state and they have a solution.

State Representatives Bill Mitchell of Forsyth and Adam Brown of Decatur have proposed separating Cook County from Illinois and creating a 51st state.

The representatives held a press conference Tuesday in Decatur, Ill. to talk about their proposal.

Brown says Chicago is overshadowing the rest of the state. Mitchell says families in other parts of the state believe Chicago is "dictating its views."

They've proposed Cook County, which is the second most populous county in the U.S., to become one state and the other 101 counties in Illinois to become another.

http://www.wgntv.com/news/wgntv-stat...,5393745.story

 

Unfortunately I don't think this will ever happen, but one of these years if we ever get concealed carry approved in Illinois, you will probalby be allowed to carry in all Countys except Cook, the County where it is needed the most.

That being said that certainly would be better than nothing but with this darn State I am not going to hold my breath.

 

Schuette reaches reciprocity deal with 39 states for pistol carrying
Published: Monday, November 28, 2011

State Attorney General Bill Schuette said Monday he has reached a deal that allows Michigan residents with a concealed pistol license to carry in 39 other states.

Schuette says in a news release that he reached a full reciprocity with states that have a “shall issue” law for issuing CPL permits.

Michigan is the first and only state to achieve maximum reciprocity for its CPL holders, according to the release.

“The right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental freedom enshrined in our Constitution,” Schuette said. “I am proud to be an aggressive defender of our Second Amendment freedoms.”

Schuette noted that Michigan CPL holders who wish to carry a concealed weapon in another state are responsible for complying with the laws of that state. Also, residents of states that exercise reciprocity with Michigan are responsible for complying with Michigan laws restricting where pistols may be carried, requiring disclosure to a peace officer when stopped, and prohibiting carrying while under the influence.

Maine was the final eligible state to sign an agreement with Michigan. Wisconsin enacted new law permitting reciprocity with Michigan that became effective on Nov. 1, a change which is significant for CPL holders in the Upper Peninsula.

The 39 states practicing CPL reciprocity with Michigan include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont (does not require permits for residents or nonresidents), Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

 

NORMAL – U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson said Monday that his federal workaround plan that would allow concealed-carry weapons in Illinois does not trample on states’ rights and would better align Illinois with the 49 other states.

The Urbana Republican spoke to dozens of voters during a town hall meeting at the Normal Public Library.
One of the questions came from a critic of his recent support for an Illinois-specific amendment to a federal concealed-carry bill. The National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011 would allow any person with a legally recognized carrying permit of another state to be recognized in other states that also have permitting laws. Illinois was exempt from the bill, but Johnson hoped to change that with his amendment. It was eventually scuttled.

Johnson stressed the limited scope of the amendment – that Illinois would be added 49 other states in the bill. Illinois is the only state without any concealed-carry permitting process, a “longstanding flaw in Illinois law” that Johnson has previously attributed to “Chicago politicians” in Springfield.

“My amendment, and my standalone bill, is not the broad brush you’ve painted it to be,” he said to the critic on Monday. “My amendment to the bill would simply extend to Illinois citizens the same rights under that law that any other state would enjoy.”

Johnson said he’ll continue working to get the federal measure passed.

 

Oak Park Residents Resist Proposed Gun Shop
Store owner says he'll only sell handguns to law enforcement personnel
By Jessica Guido Thursday, Dec 1, 2011
NBCPhiladelphia.com

Residents against gun ownership in Oak Park voiced concerns Wednesday over a proposed gun store opening a block from a public school and homes.

Justin Delefuente, owner of the proposed storefront, attended a public meeting at the Irving School Auditorium to defend and answer questions concerning his new store, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Delefuente told more than 80 residents he wants to sell the guns through online and catalogs sales. Customers would be able to pick up purchases at his storefront. He claims only pre-ordered guns would be on site.

Oak Park traditionally is seen as against gun ownership. In 2010, the United States Supreme Court opposed a handgun ban enforced in Oak Park and Chicago.

The shop owner says he chose the Oak Park site because his family has owned the property for more than 30 years. Rifles and shotguns would be sold to the public, and only law enforcement personnel could purchase handguns, he said.

Delefuente says all customers would need a Fire Arms Owner's ID card, a background check and have a waiting period to buy. He does not plan on building a gun range or selling bullets.

Oak Park police reassured residents that as long as Delefuente follows the rules, there would not be much of a concern. Police also told the Chicago Sun-Times they plan to open a substation with the Berwyn Police across the street from the gun shop.

 

Rep. Walsh to UN:
No Gun Control Treaties

Representative Joe Walsh (R-IL) has drafted a bill that would block U.S. funding to the United Nations if it seeks to implement gun control measures affecting U.S. citizens.

Despite victories by gun owners in elections and legislative battles throughout the country in recent years, on the international front gun control is moving quickly.

Most significantly, in 2012 the UN plans to release a final draft of the Arms Trade Treaty—a treaty that will have severe consequences for American gun owners.

Meetings are held behind close doors, but from information gathered by GOA we believe that the ATT will, at the very least, require gun owner registration and microstamping of ammunition.

The ATT will define manufacturing so broadly that any gun owner who adds an accessory such as a scope or changes a stock on a firearm would be required to obtain a manufacturing license.

It would also likely include a ban on many semi-automatic firearms (like the Clinton gun ban) and demand the mandatory destruction of surplus ammo and confiscated firearms.

President Obama, not surprisingly, welcomes the treaty. He knows that he is unlikely to get such radical proposals through the Congress, so the UN provides him a backdoor way to enact gun control.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is also on board and began pushing for the treaty as soon as she was confirmed in her position. “The United States is prepared to work hard for a strong international standard in this area,” she said.

Since treaties must be ratified by the Senate, GOA is working continually to buck up weak-kneed Senators who might be pressured to ratify the treaty.

But the House, which controls the nations’ purse strings, can also play a role in killing the ATT (or any other anti-gun treaty, for that matter).

Rep. Joe Walsh’s legislation will cut U.S. funding to the UN if the international body imposes any restrictions on Americans’ gun rights.

This is a huge deal, because without the contributions of the United States, the UN would be crippled financially. According to government reports, U.S. taxpayers foot the bill for 22 percent of the UN’s regular budget and 27 percent of its “peacekeeping” budget.

American gun owners, in other words, are funding the organization that wants to do away with the Second Amendment!

Rep. Walsh is putting the UN on notice: back off our gun rights.

Entitled the “The Second Amendment Protection Act of 2011,” Rep. Walsh is now seeking original cosponsors to join him in the House. He plans to introduce the bill within the next week.

Rep. Walsh highlights for his House colleagues the necessity of his proposal, noting that:

* It is the constitutional power of Congress to determine United States foreign policy through the ratification of international treaties;

* U.S. Presidents, by signing on to treaties, have opened the door for international organizations to unilaterally regulate the lives of citizens of the United States;

* International and transnational organizations force their rules on people of the United States through conventions, multilateral agreements, and nonratified treaties, such as agreements that affect the private ownership of firearms by law-abiding citizens; and

* United States sovereignty is risked by domestic legal applicability of international treaties and executive agreements that have not been voted on and congressionally adopted through formal processes.

Let’s help Rep. Joe Walsh get as many cosponsors as possible. In the process, we’ll find out how many Representatives are willing to stand up to the behemoth United Nations in defense of the Second Amendment.

 

Shooters, We Need Your Help!

Recently, Buffalo Range has come under attack by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources with totally unsubstantiated claims that stray bullets are impacting in Buffalo Rock State Park.

With six other private ranges and clubs in the area the IDNR refuses to investigate them and focuses only on Buffalo Range. The Range has been here for 41 years as an active shooting range where the public can come to enjoy our sport of shooting. We are one of the very few shooting ranges available to the public.

Help us preserve your shooting rights and our sport!

We encourage you to write letters in support of our sport and our shooting range. Please remember when writing to be professional and truthful in your description of the range and it's operation. Also, when you send a letter to anyone listed below include a copy to The Ottawa Times Editor to insure that our voices are heard.

This may be our business, but it is your place to shoot, and once it's gone it may be gone forever!!

Thank You.

Buffalo Range Shooting Park

Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Spring field
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL. 62702-1271
217-782-6302
Attn: Marc Miller / Director

Senator Sue Rezin
38th District
103 Fifth Street P.O. Box 260
Peru, IL. 61354
815-220-8720

Congressman Adam Kinzinger
11th District, Illinois
2701 Black Road
Joliet, IL. 60435
815-729-2308

The Ottawa Times
110 W. Jefferson Street
Ottawa, IL. 61350
Attn: Editor

 

COURT SIDES WITH ILLINOIS STATE RIFLE ASSOCIATION IN PROTECTING IDENTITIES OF LAWFUL FIREARM OWNERS

CONTACT: Richard Pearson, Illinois State Rifle Association, (815) 635-3198
PEORIA, IL - - The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA):

Lawful firearm owners across the state may rest a little easier tonight knowing that their sensitive personal information is finally safeguarded from release under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Earlier this week, the Honorable Michael E. Brandt, Chief Judge of the 10th Judicial Circuit of Illinois, Peoria County, signed an order permanently barring the Illinois State Police from revealing the identities of the state’s 1.5 million law-abiding firearm owners. This order extends to prohibit the release of information contained in Firearm Owner ID (FOID) applications and Firearm Transfer Inquiry Program (FTIP) background checks. The ISRA is characterizing the issuance of this permanent injunction as a major victory for Illinoisans concerned about their personal privacy.

Judge Brandt’s order stems from a lawsuit filed earlier this year by the ISRA against the Illinois State Police. The ISRA filed the lawsuit upon learning that Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan had ruled that FOID information was releasable under the FOIA and that the Illinois State Police must honor a FOIA request for such information filed by a newspaper reporter. Lawful firearm owners were appalled and angry over the prospect of their private information being released to the media. In response, the ISRA successfully sought a temporary restraining order to halt the release of firearm owner personal information. Monday’s action by Judge Brandt makes the provisions of that restraining order permanent.

“Gun control organizations and their friends in the press have been trying for years to get the names and addresses of firearm owners,” commented ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson. “For some reason, they think that the public has a right to know who in their city, town or social organization owns guns. Thus, they would like nothing more than to see the names and addresses of gun owners along with detailed inventories of privately-held firearms plastered across every newspaper in the state. For years, the State Police correctly and successfully resisted calls for the release of such information. Well, then along comes Attorney General Lisa Madigan.”

“Lisa Madigan is well known as a staunch supporter of efforts to ban civilian firearm ownership,” continued Pearson. “In fact, Madigan routinely receives recognition and awards for her anti-gun activities from Illinois’ largest gun control organization. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Madigan would break with tradition and direct the release of gun owners’ personal information to the public. Judge Brandt’s order has put the kibosh on Madigan’s abuse of power.”

“The most important outcome of Judge Brandt’s order will be the restoration of peace of mind among the state’s gun owners,” said Pearson. “No longer will they have to fear that Lisa Madigan will target their homes for burglary. They won’t have to worry that gun control extremists will “occupy” their front yards or harass their children on the way to school. Yes, the state’s gun owners will be quite content in the knowledge that the court has declared that the choice to own firearms is nobody’s business but their own.”

 

FYI (these are big fun!)

"Hello Gentlemen,

I wanted to update you on Excel's Skills and Drills Practice session at Article II/ Gun World Range in Lombard.

Our next date is Tuesday December 13th. Our 6pm session is already filled. In order to accommodate more shooters but keep the wait down , we are going to offer 2 sessions Tuesday evening when the original time of 6pm start gets to 12 shooters. Then we will open up RSVP for the 8pm session. If we don't get a full 12 for the 8pm session we will offer a "reshoot" to the original session till the 12 shooter limit is reached.

Article II/ Gun World Range

Round count - 100

Please RSVP for these sessions
6pm meeting (please be geared up) 6:15 start
8pm meeting (please be geared up ) asap start

Cost - $25
Reshoot - $15 - if spot open

Any questions feel free to contact me.

Hope you enjoy the session!

Best,

TD and Bill"

 

Panel backs new fine for guns near schools, parks

Additional $3,000 penalty 'sends a clear message,' alderman says

December 9, 2011

People toting guns within 500 feet of Chicago schools and parks would get hit with an additional $3,000 fine under a measure endorsed Thursday by the City Council Public Safety Committee.

The additional fines also would apply to those loitering near schools as part of gang or drug activities under the proposal, set for a full council vote Wednesday. Current fines for the offenses range from $100 to $500, and the new fines would be added to those, said Ald. Ariel Reboyras, 30th, who proposed the measure.

"It just sends a clear message that we're not going to tolerate it," Reboyras said. "If you're going to do it, you're going to pay."

Reboyras conceded the fines are unlikely to deter wrongdoing.

"The bad guy's going to do what the bad guy does — fines mean nothing to them," he said. "But if nothing else, it steps up the fines, and if we should happen to catch someone, they'll pay another fee. That's all. It just adds more money to the revenue."

 

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- There have been few problems linked to Wisconsin's newly established concealed carry law and now cities surrounding Beloit want the law too.

Rockford Aldermen are considering passing a resolution that would show Springfield they're behind the move. The extra support wouldn't be enough to change the law however, it would show lawmakers and the governor the city supports concealed carry. Right now, Illinois is the only state that does not allow residents to possess guns in public.

Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey said, "There are a lot of people concealed carrying illegally, they are felons and people who are a great danger to our community. Its astonishing to me that Illinois is the only state in the union that doesn't have a prevision for concealed carry."

We spoke with several local mayors this afternoon. Many say they are in support of concealed carry, but have not considered formally and publicly addressing the issue. Machesney Park Village President Tom Strickland says he is behind the law; however, he would feel more comfortable putting the resolution on a ballot for voters to decide instead of the council.

 

Concealed-Carry Myths

Many new concealed-carry permit holders subscribe to a variety of myths that could have potentially deadly consequences. Here are five of the most common. By Paul Markel (RSS) December 15, 2011

It’s been said all the best stories begin with either “Once upon a time” or “There I was.” There are other tales that begin with “I was talking to my buddy and he said…” Over the years, I’ve developed a reflexive cringe from all the times I’ve heard someone begin a conversation with such verbiage.

If we are talking about venison recipes or the best way to get red wine stains out of your dress shirt, opinions vary and it’s not that big a deal if the advice doesn’t quite pan out. However, when we are talking about the most important activity you can undertake—protecting your life and the lives of your family members—bad advice can have dire consequences.

In the United States today, there is little doubt concealed carry is one of the hottest topics, at least for gun owners. Sales figures for compact, concealable handguns bear out this argument. Furthermore, at last count, there was a grand total of one state that had absolutely no provision to allow their citizens to carry a concealed handgun. In the other states, the majority have shall-issue laws on the books.

Obtaining a lawful permit or permission to carry a concealed handgun is only one part of the equation. I’ve encountered dozens of citizens who obtained a permit but don’t carry because they do not feel comfortable or capable of actually using a gun for personal protection. The reasons vary, but they generally boil down to a lack of training and/or misunderstanding what it means to be an armed citizen.

Carry Only When Needed

I am certain my face shows distress when I hear someone say they have a CCW permit but they “…only carry it when I think I might need it.” My patent answer to that statement is, “If you think you are going to need a gun, don’t go there.” Or more aptly, “If you know you need a gun you should take a rifle or a shotgun, not a concealed handgun.”

Carrying only once in a while, when you think you might need it, is akin to purchasing car insurance that only covers you on Friday nights from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. and every other Saturday. Certainly, you wouldn’t buy an insurance policy that only covered you on random dates or occasions.

When you obtain a carry permit, you are essentially purchasing life assurance—life insurance only kicks in once you are at room temperature. When you’ve decided to arm yourself against unknown, unanticipated threats, you need to do it as often as humanly possible.

Empty Chambers are Happy Chambers

In an effort to seem reasonable or extra safe, some permit holders will carry their semi-automatic pistols with a loaded magazine in place and the chamber empty. Not on the nightstand mind you, but in their holsters. I’ve also encountered double-action revolver owners who will deliberately prestage an empty chamber so the first hammer strike falls on nothing.

In both the semi-automatic and revolver scenarios, the shooter is purposely reducing his round count and increasing the amount of time it will take to get the gun in the fight. Should you be attacked with deadly force, time is likely not something you will have on your side and you may need every round you have.

One of the most dangerous aspects of this practice is you wind up playing the “Is my gun loaded or not?” game. It also leads to “It’s alright, the chamber is empty,” type of thinking. Loaded guns are safe guns because people treat them with respect. I once had a pistol fired into the ground 2 feet from me because the shooter thought the chamber was empty, so it would be safe to dry-fire.

Women Should Only Shoot .22s

While .22 LR handguns are fantastic training tools and excellent ways to learn the basics of marksmanship, they are not the best fight stoppers in the world. It is true, as my friend Walt Rauch once advised, “No one wants to leak, not even bad guys.” However, there is no reason a healthy adult woman cannot carry and employ a centerfire handgun.

Not long ago, a woman told me when the subject of a defensive handgun came up, one of her male co-workers told her to buy a .22 and load it with dum-dum rounds. Yes, that was the exact term he used. Dum-dum rounds aside, the purpose of defensive shooting is to force the attacker to stop, not to bleed to death 20 minutes later.

A centerfire pistol or revolver with a bore diameter of .35 inch and up is a good place to start. Concealable handguns from .380 ACP up to .45 ACP abound and are readily available. The recoil impulse from the .45 ACP is generally less severe than that of a .40 S&W from the same-size handgun. I’ve encountered numerous women who could run a 1911 like no one’s business. The question was not the sex of the shooter or their size, but rather their level of training and their experience.

Practice Gun Zen

Another common trend I’ve come across is the carry gun versus the range gun. Folks will go out and purchase the latest, greatest compact or subcompact pistol. They’ll boast to their buddies about how easy it is to carry and conceal. They can carry it all day and forget it’s in their pocket. That covers step one—be armed.

When it comes time to hit the range, these very same guys pull out a pistol with a 5- or 6-inch barrel, target sights and meticulously tuned trigger. From 10 yards, they set about punching neat little holes in paper targets and call it training.

Don’t get me wrong, shooting should be enjoyable recreation. It can be a great way to spend an afternoon. However, if you bought a compact .380 ACP pistol for personal protection and still haven’t gotten through your first box of 50 rounds, you are kidding yourself if you think you’re ready for combat.

By their very design, compact, lightweight pistols and revolvers are easy to carry and difficult to shoot well. These guns demand you train and practice with them. You might be able to plink a soda can a 20 yards with a Ruger Mark III pistol, but that’s not likely to be the gun you’ll have on you when a bad guy shows up. Can you hit a soda can at 10 feet with your pocket pistol?

This is an easy trap to fall into. Your shot groups don’t look as good with the pocket gun as they do with your larger target pistol. Park your ego at the door and practice with the pocket pistol. One day, you might be glad you did.

Hand Me Down That Gun

Many who decide to carry a gun are not gun people. They don’t subscribe to any gun magazines and don’t know or care about the history or nomenclature of firearms. All they know is they need a gun for personal protection. I’ve run into this many times during concealed-carry training courses and I’ve spoken to several trainers across the nation who agree this seems to be a trend.

Students, many of whom are women, will arrive at the class with gun handed down to them by great uncle Joe or grandpa Jim. Some have never put a single shot through the gun, but they load them up with the ammo uncle Joe gave them and keep them on the nightstand, the car or in their purses.

Far too many of these family heirlooms are in such poor condition, they can’t be relied upon to fire two rounds in succession. During one course, I had a lady show up with a double-action revolver given to her by her grandfather. The timing was so out of whack, it took her three to four trigger pulls to get a cartridge to fire.

At another course, a shooter arrived with a compact .22 LR semi-automatic pistol passed down by a relative. This person had it for two years and had never fired a round through the gun. When it came time for the live-fire portion, we discovered it was essentially a single-shot pistol. The gun this citizen had been keeping loaded, “just in case,” malfunctioned after the first shot and would not cycle or feed from the magazine.

The Winning Formula

The good news is when these folks show up for a training class, it becomes immediately, if not painfully, obvious they have been getting by on luck for a long time. Unfortunately, too many people feel owning a gun takes care of the personal-protection issue. To paraphrase Col. Jeff Cooper, owning a gun doesn’t make you any more an armed citizen than owning a guitar makes you a musician.

It really is not possible to train yourself. You can practice on your own, but unless you’ve had professional instruction you are likely just ingraining bad habits. A good training course will teach you what to practice and the best ways to do so.

Shooters will often leave a course amazed at how much they didn’t know when they arrived, and that is a positive thing. They are now on their way—they’ve become a student of the gun.

If you are truly serious about defending yourself with a firearm and carrying one on a regular basis, there are several steps you should take. Apply for your CCW permit, purchase a quality firearm, get some training and then practice often.

It’s really not all that complex of a formula, but I’m dismayed by how many folks stop after the first step. When all is said and done, it’s your life on the line—the choice is up to you.

 

Tks again Bob for the posts. When living in the country of Texas I had a permit & carried a auto Glock (w/no safety) & always had a empty chamber. My thought was showing the weapon while working the slide would be enough...Keep up the good work for us & maybe the state of Illinois will catch up with the rest of the nation!

 

You are very welcome Dan, it's my pleasure and honor to do so!

I think you will see the NRA and pro activist's concentrate more on the great State of Illinois now that we are the last hold out.

I also think you will see more of our politicians jump on the pro band wagon in hopes of being re-elected.

Together we CAN make it happen but we all MUST apply the pressure...

 

Learning to read between the lines

"December 20, 2011 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- The ABC-7 I-Team has learned that when the Chicago Bears' Sam Hurd was busted on drug charges he had to post more than just money to get out of the federal lock-up.

In this Intelligence Report: The small arsenal of guns that Hurd had to surrender.

Wide receiver Sam Hurd, now formerly of the Chicago Bears, agreed to surrender numerous guns to federal authorities as a condition of his being freed on bond.

Hurd turned over the guns, including an assault rifle , about the same time last Friday that a $100,000 cashier's check was posted and he was released.

"Sam's a father, Sam's a husband," said Hurd's attorney Brett Greenfield. "He's a good teammate. He's a good friend."

Hurd is also a gun owner--or he was at the time he was arrested last week and charged in a multi-kilo cocaine and marijuana case.

Twenty-six-year-old Hurd was apparently not armed outside Morton's Steakhouse when federal agents took him into custody last Wednesday.

However, according to federal court records, at some point after that, U.S. Immigration and Customs officers determined Hurd had numerous guns at the Lake Forest home where he was living with his wife and daughter.

An AR-15 was among the firearms that Hurd had to surrender as a requirement of his bond. The semi-automatic assault rifle owned by Hurd is the civilian version of the full-auto, military issue M-16.

Bond records obtained Tuesday by the I-Team state that "defendant [Hurd] shall turn over AR-15 rifle and all shotguns in his possession to agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security within 24 hours of defendant's release."

Reached by phone in California on Tuesday, Hurd's attorney said the ex-Bear had the guns for the same reasons anyone else would and said, "Maybe he is a collector."

State police officials say Hurd, who lived in Texas until last August, would be in violation of Illinois gun laws if he did not obtain a Firearm Owners Identification Card after moving.

Five years ago another Chicago Bear, Tank Johnson, was charged with not having a gun owners ID after police raided his Lake County home and found six firearms. A few days later Johnson's bodyguard was shot and killed in a nightclub fracas. Like Sam Hurd, Johnson is currently between NFL teams.

Firearm owner information is not public in Illinois, so it is impossible to verify quickly whether Hurd had a FOID Card or not. However, considering the processing time and backlog of gun applications, one state police source says it is unlikely Hurd would have been able to obtain a card.

Since bonding out, Hurd has been in Lake Forest with his family. They were seen attending church services together on Sunday."