Illinois House Passes Conceal & Carry

A bill can go from zero to a hundred in the blink of an eye, and change it from a good/decent bill  to a bad bill that hurts our passion.  CO realizes that the average outdoor enthusiast can't juggle the daily gigs of life and watch our politicians.  That's why we are here.

If you received an email or heard that politicians were introducing a bill that would limit the size of a magazine that you were able to own, or if they made it a felony just to posses an extended magazine,  what would you do?   Well there is a bill that was introduced that does just that, SB 1002 (click here to read the bill)  SB 1002 amends the Criminal Code of 2012.  The first few sections of this bill is the technical stuff.  For example, what the definition of a magazine is.  The most troubling part of this piece of legislation is under the sentence portion of this bill.  

(d) Sentence. A person who knowingly delivers, sold, 

10		purchases, or possesses or causes to be delivered, sold,
11		purchased, or possessed in violation of this Section a large
12		capacity ammunition feeding device capable of holding more than
13		17 rounds of ammunition commits a Class 3 felony for a first
14		violation and a Class 2 felony for a second or subsequent
15		violation or for possession or delivery of 2 or more of these
16		devices at the same time. A person who knowingly delivers,
17		sells, purchases, or possesses or causes to be delivered, sold,
18		purchased, or possessed in violation of this Section a large
19		capacity ammunition feeding device capable of holding more than
20		10 rounds but not more than 17 rounds of ammunition commits a
21		Class 4 felony for a first violation and a Class 3 felony for a
22		second or subsequent violation or for possession or delivery of
23		more than one of these devices at the same time.

This is the type of legislation that we need to watch.  CO realizes that this is not up for a vote yet, however we recommend you contact your State Senator and we will keep you informed of what happens on the Senate floor.  

High Capacity Magazine SB 1002

A bill can go from zero to a hundred in the blink of an eye, and change it from a good/decent bill  to a bad bill that hurts our passion.  CO realizes that the average outdoor enthusiast can't juggle the daily gigs of life and watch our politicians.  That's why we are here.

If you received an email or heard that politicians were introducing a bill that would limit the size of a magazine that you were able to own, or if they made it a felony just to posses an extended magazine,  what would you do?   Well there is a bill that was introduced that does just that, SB 1002 (click here to read the bill)  SB 1002 amends the Criminal Code of 2012.  The first few sections of this bill is the technical stuff.  For example, what the definition of a magazine is.  The most troubling part of this piece of legislation is under the sentence portion of this bill.  

(d) Sentence. A person who knowingly delivers, sold, 

10		purchases, or possesses or causes to be delivered, sold,
11		purchased, or possessed in violation of this Section a large
12		capacity ammunition feeding device capable of holding more than
13		17 rounds of ammunition commits a Class 3 felony for a first
14		violation and a Class 2 felony for a second or subsequent
15		violation or for possession or delivery of 2 or more of these
16		devices at the same time. A person who knowingly delivers,
17		sells, purchases, or possesses or causes to be delivered, sold,
18		purchased, or possessed in violation of this Section a large
19		capacity ammunition feeding device capable of holding more than
20		10 rounds but not more than 17 rounds of ammunition commits a
21		Class 4 felony for a first violation and a Class 3 felony for a
22		second or subsequent violation or for possession or delivery of
23		more than one of these devices at the same time.

This is the type of legislation that we need to watch.  CO realizes that this is not up for a vote yet, however we recommend you contact your State Senator and we will keep you informed of what happens on the Senate floor.  

To carry or not to carry...

Update as of May 3, 2013
Lisa Madigan on April 26, 2013 applied for an extension for time to file a petition. Earlier today the Supreme Court Of The United States more specifically Justice Kagan granted this extension to June 24, 2013. This does not CHANGE THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S DUTY OF PASSING A CONCEAL & CARRY BILL BY JUNE 9, 2013.

* You can read the docket here 

• http://www.supremecourt.gov/Search.aspx?FileName=/docketfiles/12a1053.htm

_________________________________________________________________________
Posted On May 1, 2013

The purpose of the Capitol Outdoors Legislative section is to inform the public about pending legislation.  Currently a pressing issue to CO is the concealed carry bill with all of its political mess.  Capitol Outdoors  will keep you informed on movements in both the Illinois House and Senate regarding issues that matter to the Outdoorsman and woman.

By now you probably have heard that the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals called Illinois’ law against conceal and carry unconstitutional and ordered lawmakers to install appropriate measures by June 9, 2013. On April 26, 2013 Attorney General Lisa Madigan daughter of House Speaker Michael Madigan, asked for a 30 day extension to the June 9, 2013 deadline.  

At the moment legislators in Springfield have so much on their plate they can’t see straight.   Well, unfortunately if they just stuck to the major issues they would be able to actually get things done. Illinois is a crumbling mess and the legislators need to pass a Pension Reform Bill, work on the state’s economy and pass a Conceal and Carry Bill that will uphold constitutional muster.  It seems as though our elected leaders are spending vital time debating in both committee and on the floor about things that could be put on the back burner. For example,  Illinois Lion Meat Act, Animals in Lap While Driving and much more mundane legislation.  CO understands that somewhere someone cares deeply about these issues, as we at Capitol Outdoors care about sporting legislation.  But our Legislators need to start working together and get some meaningful legislation passed. It has become a gridlock of passing Bills and playing political games instead of trying to solve the problems of the people of Illinois. The Land of Lincoln has become the “Land of the LOL”.  There have been many committee meetings on the Conceal & Carry legislation as well as extensive floor debate on the issue.  There needs to be a vote on this issue and it needs to be soon. Representative Roth said, “It was very disappointing in, well two weeks ago now, that there was shenanigans played, some people came off the bill and it failed...” [1]  There are so many things being reported that by the time it gets to the floor the public doesn’t knows what it being voted on because last minute amendments are being pushed through .   

Capitol Outdoors will break down HB 997 one of the more popular pieces of legislation regarding conceal and carry.

The Bill preempts Home Rule which means that it covers the entire State of Illinois.  This is a huge part of the issue for the Chicago area Democrats who feel an increase in guns will not solve the problem of Chicago crime.

Section 20 (a-15) There is a $100 application fee, $70 of which will be deposited into the State Police Firearms fund for use in administering the FOID cards and $30 of which shall be deposited into the Mental Health Reporting Fund. Renewal fee $35 Section 80.

Section 20 (g) License shall be issued by the Department within 90 days of receipt of a completed application for the first year.

Section 65 Permits issued by other states or territories that have entered into reciprocal agreements with Illinois and have substantially similar training programs are recognized.  Those states include but are not limited to; Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

Notice that Utah was not listed.  Capitol Outdoors interprets this saying that Utah’s training does not meet the qualifications of Illinois, however it also leaves up to interpretation the fact the State can also decide to accept a Utah license, “but not limited to”.  

According to Section 20 (h) you can use the above States License for 365 days before you need to get an Illinois License.

One will need to be 21 years old and a FOID card holder who will have to undergo at least 8 hours which includes live fire and classroom  instruction.  You can check out Section 85 of the Bill to see what is involved in training.  

Section 70: Restrictions

No one can knowingly carry a concealed firearm into any building or parking lot under control of the General Assembly and its support services.  The entire Capitol Complex is off limits.

Any courthouse, part of that building or parking lot that is occupied by the courts.

Any meeting of the governing body of a unit of local government or special district.

Any building or parking lot that sells alcohol.

Any airports

Any place where prohibited by federal law.

Any building or parking lot control by a school, but school is able to amend.

Any building or parking lot that is used as child care facility.

Any casino.

Any stadium or arena or parking lot area under the control of stadium any collegiate or professional sporting event.

Any Mental health facility.

Any community college, college, university, property and parking lots under direction of Higher Education.

Any public Library and parking lot.

Any Police Station and parking lot.

Any Prison and Juvenile Detention Center and parking lot.

and the list goes on...

HB 997 needed 71 voted to pass the House and as you can see from the picture below it was short by 7 votes.  Those 7 votes were from Chicago Democrats and also to note Speaker Madigan did not vote.  Representative Phelps put this Bill on the Order of Postponed Consideration which means he has another chance to get the votes needed to pass the Bill.  Illinois needs to pass comprehensive concealed carry legislation before June 9th or “constitutional carry” will set in.

Source

“Representative Roth stated that her constituents are telling her that if the bill continues to be amended adding more restrictions that would rather her vote no and let it go to a  constitutional carry...”[1]

Capitol Outdoors feels that the restrictions in the Bill are too confusing.   If you are a law abiding citizen you should be able to carry your gun to protect yourself and your family that is traveling with you.  If you were to go into a liquor store and it was being robbed, you wouldn’t have your firearm, nor would it be accessible in the parking lot under this Bill.

Capitol Outdoors agrees with the amount of training because a well trained citizen is a good citizen.  There needs to be more gun safety awareness and training involved so that those that carry do it safely.

There will be continuous update on this issue up until the June 9th deadline.

---

[1] Morris Daily Herald, April 30, 2013

Illinois General Assembly Website was used for referencing Bill.

Know your Government

This week on the Capitol Outdoors Show, I mentioned that outdoorsmen need to be better informed. Being involved in government, I have learned the sites and shortcuts that will help outdoorsmen understand legislation.  Capitol Outdoors will write up a synopsis on a piece of legislation and give our opinions on certain bills.

I know it sounds elementary, but you would be surprised, some people do not know the basics about government and that is where we will come in. No questions will go unanswered and is too small for us!

Let's start at the Illinois Government 101: each Illinoisan has two United States Senators and a Congressman that represent them on a federal level.  A good rule of thumb is if a piece of legislation affects more then one state at a time then it is a federal issue.  Yes, two states could be debating an issue at the same time but their jurisdiction is only for that particular state. Citizens have one State Senator and a State Representative that represents them in Springfield for their district. We are not going to get down to a county or city level, but if any readers have questions regarding these two areas of government or anything else, we will be happy to address them, just email us at capitoloutdoorsman@gmail.com or capitoloutdoorswoman@gmail.com

If you're a citizen that doesn't' reach out to their elected official often or get the chance to see them in person, please make sure you know who they are.  This is a an important step in being an informed citizen. Check the links on the side of this page and you will be directed to websites where you can easily find who your Legislator is.

As an outdoorsman you have to know how to look pieces of legislation up.  Thomas.gov is an excellent tool in researching policy.  On the thomas.gov website there are two ways to search for the legislation.  By either looking doing a title search or looking up the bill number. Thomas.gov is very particular in title searches. This is why the best way to get legislative information is to know the bill number.  Don't have a bill number, just do a quick google search for some keywords in the Bill.

Source - www.thomas.gov

The State of Illinois has a similar system.  You can find it at ilga.gov.  On the left hand side you can search by keywords or by Bill number.

Source- www.ilga.gov

Good Luck and Stay Safe!!!