City Council to Discuss Concealed Carry Legislation

On Monday, June 24 the St. Charles City Council's Government Services Committee will hear a presentation from Police Chief Jim Lamkin regarding state legislation pertaining to the concealed carry of firearms. The Illinois General Assembly approved House Bill 183 and the bill is currently being considered by Governor Quinn. You can view the text of the bill here.

The proposed legislation requires the Illinois State Police to grant concealed carry permits to qualified applicants. Applicants for a permit must:

• be at least 21 years of age;
• have a currently valid Firearm Owner’s Identification Card and at the time of application meets the requirements for the issuance of a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card;
• not been convicted or found guilty in this State or in any other state of a misdemeanor involving the use or threat of physical force or violence to any person or two or more violations related to driving while under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, within the five years preceding the date of the license application;
• not the subject of a pending arrest warrant, prosecution, or proceeding for an offense or action that could lead to disqualification to own or possess a firearm;
• not been in residential or court-ordered treatment for alcoholism, alcohol detoxification, or drug treatment within the five years immediately preceding the date of the license application;
• complete 16 hours of firearms training;
• fill out an application; and
• pay a $150 fee.

The concealed carry license is valid for 5 years and permits the licensee to carry a loaded or unloaded concealed firearm on or about his/her person and within a vehicle.

The bill prohibits firearms to be carried at a multitude of locations, including schools, parks, libraries, local government buildings, hospitals, and mass transit. A full list of the prohibited places is in Section 65 on page 21 of the legislation. The bill also allows private businesses to prohibit concealed weapons on their premises. Signs must be posted at any location that prohibits weapons to advise gun owners and patrons.

In order to create a statewide standard, the bill also preempts home rule authority. This means that local gun ordinances would be voided and replaced by a statewide standard.

The presentation to the Government Services Committee will pertain to the recent legislation approved by the General Assembly to permit concealed carry of firearms in the State of Illinois. This will include the concealed carry permit process, pre-emption of local ordinances regarding firearms, places where concealed carry is prohibited, and the authority for the City to enact a prohibition or regulation regarding assault weapons.

Regarding assault weapons regulations, municipalities will only have 10 days from when the state law becomes effective to enact an assault weapons ordinance. After that 10-day period expires, the legislation preempts the ability of home rule municipalities to ban/regulate assault weapons. For this reason, time is of the essence.

If you would like to hear more, you are welcome to attend the meeting on June 24th at 7 pm at City Hall.