SPRINGFIELD - Gun control issues have a spotlight on them, and especially in Illinois, where the legislature will face voting on proposals which will meet the Seventh District Court of Appeals' requirement allowing concealed carry. The court gave Illinois lawmakers 60 days to complete the task of ending the concealed carry ban.
The Illinois Republican Party calls for gun owner rights in the form of strong law enforcement to protect law abiding citizens. It also rejects Illinois' unique, gun owner-revealing Firearms' Owner Identification Card.
How can Republican voters expect state lawmakers who ran as Republicans to vote on these proposals? Under Section X "Enhancing Public Safety of Our Citizens," the Illinois Republican Party's 2012 Platform says:
B. Even with more faithful execution of our laws by law enforcement from the street to the judicial bench, citizens will remain at risk to criminal acts in their homes, their neighborhoods, their businesses and in going about their everyday lives. Illinois Republicans note with shock and dismay the growing climate of violence in Illinois’ largest city and call upon Gov. Quinn and the General Assembly to enact such policies as may permit law‐abiding citizens to protect themselves, their families, their property and their businesses. Specifically, we endorse:
• The use of criminal and mental background checks by licensed firearms dealers;
• State preemption of local ordinances which impede the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms (see the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution);
• Opposition to any effort to make public any personal information of Firearm Owners Identification Card holders
• We support statutory repeal of the Firearm Owners Identification Card;
• We strongly endorse and support the 2nd Amendment to the Bill of Rights to the U. S. Constitution. We believe every citizen (American) has the right to keep and bear arms. No state city or local law should be allowed to infringe upon this right;
• Enactment of “Concealed Carry” legislation offering permits to properly trained, law-abiding citizens to bear concealed weapons for personal protection; and
• We call upon the legislature to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for Illinois Prison closure/construction policy. The plan should be a five-year, ten year and twenty year plan for prison usage, closure and openings. We call upon the state to assist affected communities with an economic development strategy that will introduce alternative employment opportunities in those communities.
Do you agree or disagree with this platform plank? Find the United Republican Fund's user-friendly copy of the 2012 Illinois Republican Platform on Illinois Review's right hand margin.
