Winnebago County Stands Out Front In The Lead To Restore Gun Rights In Illinois -- Popular Revolt By Vote Possible!

Voters in Ogle County may soon join a growing number of Illinoisans who can cast a vote for president this November and, on the same ballot, decide whether their neighbor can pack a pistol.

An Ogle County Board committee approved a request from Winnebago County officials to place an advisory referendum on the November ballot asking Ogle voters whether they want to see concealed carry legislation in Illinois.

The request was one of the 101 unsolicited letters that Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen’s office sent to every county in the state about a week ago, putting Winnebago County on the front lines of a statewide concealed carry debate.
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Representatives from other Illinois counties, including Effingham and LaSalle counties, also have looked favorably on Winnebago County’s referendum request in recent weeks.

For those not from the area, Winnebago County is the top center county on the map with Ogle directly below it.  Rockford, Illinois' third largest city is in Winnebago County.  To the East is Boone County which is set to take up the issue next month.

Illinois and Wisconsin are the only two states without some form of concealed carry and Winnebago County is considering a county law that would allow people to carry if they received a permit from the Sheriff, but a state law would be a far better alternative

For the history of Winnebago County's excellent leadership on the restoration of rights and the releasing the state from the death grip of Chicago see the concealed carry label here.

DKK
RRStar

Welcome, and thanks to Glen Reynolds and Instapundit readers!

Winnebago County Crafting Details For Countywide Concealed -- Considers Protecting Those Who Exercies The Right From Liberal Media Retribution!

A public database of who has a concealed carry permit might be out, while bringing a firearm to a county caucus meeting could be in.

Those are a couple of the changes members of a Winnebago County subcommittee suggested Tuesday night as they draft a proposed county law that would allow Winnebago County residents to carry firearms.

“We’re talking about a concealed carry law,” said Winnebago County Board member John Sweeney, R-14, stressing the word “concealed.”

“I think making a list of everyone who has a permit with their name, age and address kind of defeats the purpose.”

Sweeney said that a list should be maintained and available to law enforcement authorities, but not the public at large.

“It would actually be a benefit to people who don’t have a permit because then people won’t know (who has a gun and who doesn’t),” he said. “If there’s a list, someone could just find out who doesn’t have one.”

RRStar

Interestingly over the past couple of years there have been numerous newspapers in newly minted concealed carry states that have databased the list of concealed carry permit holders and published that list.  Colorado has banned the publication of the names and in Oregon the paper sued to get the list! (Link, just start at the top and work your way down this Google search.)

All in the name of public records! 

What they end up doing is endangering not only average citizens but they publish the names and addresses of victims of abuse who have gotten a permit and a weapon to protect their families from a known threat! 

But they didn't think about that, did they?  They just wanted to make sure everyone knew where the wackos lived!  After all, wackos are the only ones who would get a permit in their eyes!  Abused spouses can be tossed under that anti gun bus if it means eliminating those evil guns!

I am proud of our County Board and the stand they are making!  Keep it up, it is likely to get ugly as the date of the vote approaches.
DKK

Winnebago County Continues It's March Toward Concealed Carry -- Wresting The Constitution Away From Daley/Chicago Control

Winnebago County, IL- Winnebago County voters will be getting a say in November on whether Illinois should become a conceal carry state. Thursday night the county board voted overwhelmingly in support of a proposal to put a referendum regarding conceal carry on the fall ballot. Come November Winnebago County voters will be facing one more question on their ballot: should the Illinois General Assembly create legislation allowing concealed firearms to be carried? ... Another measure that authorizes the sheriff to allow Winnebago County residents to carry concealed weapons still sits in subcommittee. The sheriff and state's attorney are worried such a plan may break state laws. But supporters say the referendum vote is a good indication of what the full board may decide when the issue goes before them this summer. "I think people pretty much have already decided what side of the issue they're on," says Owens. If the referendum passes, supporters are hopeful other counties will follow their lead in putting the question of conceal carry before voters.

This is a good move for the County. If the voters approve it by an overwhelmingly margin it will demonstrate to the Daley controlled state (and soon to be Fed's if Obama wins) that opinion has truly shifted from their 60's era oppression.

The Daley/Chicago gun control side knows this -- the gun control efforts will get statewide and possibly national support. This really needs organized support from statewide or national gun right organizations! Look for ads against this in the future.

Winning this is an important step forward in one of only 2 states without some form of concealed carry.

Then there are the politics of the issue -- I would enjoy seeing support for this from our elected representatives -- 21 to 5 is a dramatic vote in favor of letting the people choose. If that represents public opinion then it is a winning issue for whoever grabs hold first and loudest.

I would have to see the polls but I would think this would be advantageous for Congressman Manzullo in a year when Republican turnout may be depressed. Driving voter turnout on what is a conservative issue could help him if this gets the right support. However if the opportunity is missed and organizational efforts on the left exceed those on the right this could hurt him in the fall. Manzullo's campaign staff needs to do some outreach on this and, if nothing else suggest the Winnebago County Republicans get the jump on this one.
DKK
Mystateline.com

Is Concealed Carry Coming To Winnebago County?

Winnebago County Sheriff Dick Meyers lent his considerable support to the county’s concealed carry debate.

Meyers was the last of 30 speakers to take the podium, and he received a standing ovation for his efforts.

“Let me get it out of the way,” he told the crowd. “I do not have a problem with concealed carry.”

He said that “20 years ago, I would have told you different,” but “we’re at a point where we don’t have a choice.”

The County Board is drafting a resolution that will authorize the sheriff to issue gun permits to qualified citizens. Although the resolution is still in draft form, at least 13 of the 28 board members have already signed on.

Rockford Register Star -- Concealed carry proposal gets support of sheriff

Meyers stated that concealed carry nearly passed in Wisconsin and if it does then Illinois is the only state that is without some form of concealed carry law.

He also stated that while he may not be able to issue the permits legally under state law, he may be able to deputize permit holders under a special citizen provision.

This is a positive step for the County and perhaps might start the cracks in the Daley -- Springfield unreasonable gun control lobby.

This would also be a perfect opportunity for McCain to highlight Obama's Illinois and it's irrational gun fears. He should show up here and support this sheriff and the Republicans on the Board.
DKK