Tri-Cities Talk: Most Residents Support Concealed-Carry Legalization

Welcome to Tri-Cities Talk—a feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on current issues facing Geneva, Batavia and St. Charles.

Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked the Tri-Cities community on local Patch Facebook pages.

Illinois officially legalized private carrying of concealed guns on Tuesday as both houses of the legislature voted convincingly to override Gov. Pat Quinn's veto: the House by 77-31, and the Senate by 41-17. The new legislation requires a background check and 16 hours of firearms training to purchase a $150 five-year concealed-carry license; as a "shall-issue" law, Illinois State Police must grant the license to anyone with those credentials.

While many were pleased by the news, others remain uneasy about concealed-carry despite the attached regulations. That brings us to this week's question.

How do you feel about the legalization of concealed-carry in Illinois?

See what people had to say, then share your two cents by voting in our poll above and joining the conversation in the comments section below. 

Dennis Engel: It is about time. It should be a deterrent to crime. Hopefully, wisdom and discretion is practiced by CC users. — Batavia Patch Facebook

Brooke Houghton: Unless you are a trained officer, you are not trained to act in an emergency. I think there will be more accidental shootings as a result. This is such a shame. — Geneva Patch Facebook

David Henry: How in the world would concealed carry cause havoc on the streets! What it will do is let the bad guys know that if you mess with someone you don't know, you have a really good chance of being killed! It's documented that concealed carry lowers the crime rate where ever it is implemented! — St. Charles Patch Facebook

Chris Diehl: About time honest people can carry along with the felons that already do! — Batavia Patch Facebook

Scott R. Naylor: FORTY NINE out of fifty states already allowed concealed carry...tell me a place that you know of that has more stories of homicide and gun violence coming out of it than Chicago. AND, just because someone is not a law enforcement officer does not mean they cannot be trained to act in an emergency or use caution in the operation of a firearm. — Geneva Patch Facebook

Scott Harrison: Relieved.. Look at texas in the 90ks before it was passed. The criminals won't get a lic anyway, this will allow law abiding citizens to protect themselves. — St. Charles Patch Facebook

Jennifer Wildy Hager: Though I won't be carrying one, I am thrilled our state finally approved C&C. It's probably the only good decision that's been made in Springfield in a long time! — Batavia Patch Facebook

Bob Franke: In none of the other 49 states has allowing concealed carry been shown to increase gun violence by those with a carry permit. — Geneva Patch Facebook

Ginny Waller: Remain against concealed carry - impinges on right to be free of fear of harm from concealed guns. — St. Charles Patch Facebook

So where do you stand on the issue? Tell us in the comments. 

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