"The whole citizen carry issue, often mixed in with the broader debate over “gun control” in general, has been terribly politicized and the debate rages on to this day. Yes, the United States is the leader in “per capita gun deaths among industrial nations,” a statistic that gun control advocates love to throw around. However, as most cops will tell you, the issue is a whole lot more complicated. One of the best resources out there is John Lott’s recently updated book “More Guns, Less Crime.” Basically, Lott concluded in an 18 year study that states who allowed citizens to carry concealed weapons saw violent crime goes down. Pretty logical stuff; the more law abiding citizens who train and arm themselves, the less victims we have. He has continued to study this issue objectively but passionately; every crimefighter should read his work.

My adopted home town, the city of Chicago, is a perfect example of Lott’s conclusions. We’re averaging 20 – 40 shootings a weekend, three Chicago cops have been killed this year, off duty, since May, and yet Chicago has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation! Who’s got the guns? The cops and the bad guys; and frankly, the cops tend to be out-numbered and often out-gunned. All the gun laws in the world aren’t going to keep thugs from owning, carrying and using firearms, so all the City of Chicago is doing is keeping law abiding citizens from legally obtaining personal protection firearms.

I’m retired now, but as I travel throughout the United States, training with and filming law enforcement personnel, I take advantage of HR 218; I am always armed, and I’m grateful for the privilege. I am now a firm advocate of well-trained, well-armed civilians, and this is an issue that police officers must get more involved in. With layoffs, cutbacks, workplace violence and the raging “war on cops” in the United States, we may have to depend on our citizens to step up, jump in, and help out in an armed encounter. After all, you don’t have to have a badge to wear a white hat and be one of the good guys. Stay safe!"

http://policelink.monster.com/traini...20100810_armed

http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/493636.html

 

I'm sure when this happens Santa will some down each of our chimneys and give us our carry card at Christmas.

I'll continue to support all pro gun legislation as a sign of solidarity for the hard working people who are trying too right a terrible wrong in the state of Illinois.

Back to my coffee

 

Looks Like Indiana gets it right?

Indiana communities no longer may be permitted to regulate guns, ammunition or firearm accessories within their borders.

The Indiana House voted 77-21 for Senate Bill 292 on Monday, pre-empting all local ordinances that relate to guns and taking away the right of local governments to enact any gun-related provision different from state law.

State Rep. Mike Speedy, R-Indianapolis, the sponsor, said Indiana needs one set of gun laws because otherwise law-abiding gun owners could get tripped up unnecessarily by a local rule they may not even know about.

But state Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, said he doesn't believe that's a serious problem since no one has come to him complaining about Gary's gun ownership rules.

"I don't understand why we're doing this except to score points with the NRA," Smith said.

The legislation now returns to the Senate for lawmakers there to agree to changes made by the House.


Indianapolis—
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels (R) signed a new gun law in Indiana Monday. Employers will no longer be allowed to ask their workers if they're carrying guns or ammunition in their vehicles.

Until now, businesses could force employees carrying weapons to park in separate areas. Some lawmakers say the new law sends the wrong message, that individual gun rights are more important than a company's property rights.

The new gun law will take effect in July.

 

"What if I use my Firearm in Self - Defense ?"
Hosted by Peter O'Malley & Joel Block
The Institute Ltd. // Personal Protection Academy

This topic & the FOID CARD PRIVACY issue, plus Conceal Carry for Illinois
will also be discussed. You will have the opportunity to ask our " legal team ",
of lawyers, what could happen to you if you use your firearm in defense of your family.

Contact Debbie O'Malley @ 773 497 8543 for details.
5225 Prairie Stone Pkwy. Hoffman Estates, IL 60192
Seminar begins @ 1PM, on the second floor @ Cabelas\\ in the conference room.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~

What is the date of this event? Thanks.

 

Sorry.

April 30th, 2011

 

Sounds interesting, do I need to sign up ahead of time?
Tim

 

I sent an inquiry to Debbie as to cost(?) and will update.

From her original message:

Please sign up on our website, at the " register for class page " and sign in the number of people who will be attending.

http://personalprotectioninstruction...FOR_CLASS.html

 

Thank you for your interest.
The cost is : $ 20
Please mail a check in advance to:

The Institute
6012 N Melvina Ave
Suite 2
Chicago, IL 60646

Please confirm,
Debbie O'Malley
773 497 8543

 

Apr 27, 2011 @ 09:16 AM

CHICAGO — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's legal battle with the state police over the release of the names of gun owners has taken an interesting turn with her appointing a former governor to fight her own office.

Former Gov. James Thompson says Madigan named him a special assistant attorney general. He'll be arguing that Madigan's office was wrong in determining the names of owners of Firearm Owner Identification cards must be made public, as requested by The Associated Press.

Thompson is representing the Illinois State Police, which has refused to turn over the information.

Thompson says he'll argue releasing the information would have a "chilling effect" because it would make people reluctant to buy or possess a gun or apply for a FOID card.

 

"ISRA Action Alert: YOUR ACTION NEEDED

HB148 – CONCEALED CARRY – IS ON THE MOVE – VOTE PROBABLE THIS WEEK

We have good news and bad news regarding HB148, the 2011 Concealed Carry Bill.

The good news is that this year’s concealed carry bill enjoys broad bi-partisan support from around the state. The reason for this success is that the bill has been carefully crafted to address some legislators’ concerns about public safety while, at the same time, ensuring that the provisions of the bill will allow for citizens to protect themselves and their families from dangerous criminals. This bill has been so fine-tuned that there is absolutely no practical reason for anyone to oppose HB148.

The bad news is that the Chicago Gun Grabbing Machine has switched into overdrive in its efforts to kill off H148 so that you and your family remain defenseless against muggers, murderers, robbers and rapists. The gun control movement is using threats, intimidation and outright lies in its attempt to coerce members of the House of Representatives to vote against HB148.

You are HB148’s last line of defense – it is time for you to take action to ensure that HB148 has a fighting chance of passage.

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO GET CONCEALED CARRY PASSED IN ILLINOIS:

1. Contact your state representative beginning MONDAY MAY 2nd and politely tell him or her that you are a law-abiding Illinois citizen and that you want to have the opportunity to lawfully defend yourself and your family from violent criminals. Politely request that your state representative vote for HB148 when it comes to a vote in the Illinois House. Continue to call your state representative’s district and Springfield offices until you get through to someone. If you do not know who your state representative is, please refer to the instructions below.

2. Forward this Alert to all of your friends and relatives.

3. Post this Alert to any and all Internet bulletin boards and blogs to which you belong.

Find out who your Legislator is here: http://www.elections.il.gov/District...ByAddress.aspx

REMEMBER, CONCEALED CARRY IS COMING UP FOR A VOTE THIS WEEK – MAKE YOUR PHONE CALLS BEGINNING MONDAY TO REMIND REPRESENTATIVES HOW YOU WANT THEM TO VOTE!"

 

 

This vote is expected next week, and it's the best chance Illinois has had in 15 years. The more people who call or email our legislators, the better!
49 states with some form of carry (although 9 of them are fairly restrictive)
1 state without. We need to change this!

 

"CHICAGO — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn doesn't want Illinoisans to carry loaded, concealed weapons.

Quinn held a news conference Tuesday to pressure lawmakers not to pass legislation that would allow concealed carry. A committee voted last month to send such legislation to the Illinois House. Illinois is one of two states that doesn't let legal gun owners carry concealed weapons.

Quinn was joined in Chicago by Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau and members of an anti-violence commission Quinn had appointed.

The Chicago Democrat says letting people carry concealed weapons wouldn't enhance public safety but instead would make life more dangerous.

Supporters of the bill say Illinois should fall in line with other states. They say concealed carry is an option for people who want to protect themselves."

 

Pat Quinn is a WORTHLESS LIBERAL and makes me want to

 

So pen a letter and tell him so!

 

Too many of today's politicians are politicians because they suffer a desperate need to control people.

We allow these malevolent weaklings to float into political power -- we abdicate our power to them -- because we choose genuine and productive lives. We choose to live productively, not administratively. We do not have need to control others. We control ourselves, thereby earning satisfaction and contentment while being productive in our professions.

Too many of today's politicians realize, in the conceptual sense, that when citizens have the ability to protect themselves from criminals they live in a high level of freedom. Our protection comes in several forms, including the US Constitution and the right to bear arms.

We are living in an era of diminishing Constitutional rights. We have allowed this to happen over several decades.

Our right to bear arms is one of the last tangible protections we have. Politicians understand that when they diminish our right to bear arms they may more effectively draw us into the next level of reduced freedom under their increasing control.

Very few Americans want to or will actually carry a firearm. Those that choose to must have that right. Most Americans see that living in a free society greatly reduces the need to bear arms. As long as we are free to bear arms, we will remain free first and foremost in the psychological sense.

Politicians who would remove our right to bear arms are herding us down their pathway to detention and subservience.

This struggle to bear arms is all about them controlling us. We are free. We must remain free.

 

PeterSG for Gov.!!!

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WBBM) – The state House sponsor of Illinois’ concealed carry measure isn’t pleased with the governor’s decision to veto the measure should it reach his desk, but he’s not necessarily surprised.

State Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) says his measure is the closest it’s ever been to passing a chamber. It needs 71 votes to pass, and he says he’s a couple of votes away. HB148 will likely be called for a floor vote this Thursday.

Phelps worries the governor’s threatened veto may have cost him a couple of votes.

“It didn’t help anything, I’ll tell you that,” says Phelps. “I’ll be honest with you, you know me I’ll tell you like it is. But that’s why they did it because they know it’s close. They’ll do anything and everything they can to beat this, because they know it’s close.”

The House Agriculture Committee agreed to amend the bill to prohibit concealed carry on college campuses, inside government buildings and other public places. Business owners would also be able to decide whether they want to allow guns in their buildings.

Phelps says he and fellow downstate lawmakers have gotten the short end of the stick this legislative session, and have very few public policy victories to tout. For example, Phelps says civil unions passed and the death penalty was abolished, both of which he adamantly opposed.

Now many downstate lawmakers want concealed carry, and they might not get it. Phelps says if the governor wants to play politics with this issue, then he can play politics with another issue: the budget.

“I can’t speak for all my caucus, but I can tell you one thing right now. It’s going to be hard for me to pass anything without this,” says Phelps. “Downstate needs something to hang their hat on.”

 

I'm in