Pike County hopes to lead charge on concealed-carry gun provisionPublished: 4/29/2009 | Updated: 5/1/2009
By DEBORAH GERTZ HUSAR
story linkPITTSFIELD, Ill. -- Pike County hopes to build support statewide for a concealed-carry gun provision.
Board members Tuesday adopted a resolution supporting passage of a right-to-carry law allowing "law-abiding citizens to possess and carry a concealed firearm for the purpose of protecting their life and families."
The county was one of the first to adopt a resolution opposing legislation some contend infringes on the right to keep and bear arms.
That effort, dubbed Pro 2A, now has won support in 90 of the state's 102 counties, and county officials hope the concealed-carry resolution generates a similar response.
Copies of the resolution will be sent to legislators and all counties in Illinois.
"Four or five counties are just waiting for this to get signed to bring it to their own boards," said board member Mark Mountain, who spearheaded the concealed-carry measure. "We want to send a message to the northeast part of the state which rules the state."
One county acting alone doesn't carry much voice, Mountain said, but 90 counties carry a loud voice.
A long-standing interest by Illinois residents in concealed carry got a boost this year when the Illinois Sheriff's Association adopted a resolution of support with specific limitations.
"It's time for counties to come on board with the sheriff's association," Mountain said. "A lot of things in there we don't agree with ... but this is a start."
Only two states, Illinois and Wisconsin, do not allow some sort of concealed or open carry, but residents can obtain such permits from other states. Ballot measures supporting concealed carry have passed in 10 Illinois counties. It hasn't been on the ballot in Pike, where gun issues are important because hunting provides recreation for residents and generates income from visitors.
Updates on the concealed-carry effort will be posted on the Pro 2A Web site,
http://www.pro2aresolution.com.
