CHICAGO TRIBUNE18 Minutes Ago

Gov. Quinn: Sign the gun bill

The Illinois General Assembly sent Gov. Pat Quinn a concealed carry of firearms bill that embodies the art of compromise. In other words, nobody likes it.

Pro-gun groups say the bill is too restrictive. They say it carves out so many places you can't carry a concealed weapon that it neuters the ability of law-abiding citizens to adequately protect themselves.

Gun control advocates say the bill is too loose. They say it doesn't give law enforcement enough discretion to deny concealed carry permits.

We're not crazy about the bill, either. We would have preferred a law modeled after New York's, which empowers local law enforcement to approve concealed carry permits only when applicants show they have a need for extra protection.

That concept didn't get much traction in the Illinois General Assembly. Lawmakers sent Quinn a bill that incorporates the wish lists of pro-gun groups and gun control advocates, including Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Quinn could veto the bill or attempt to rewrite it. We advise him to sign it.

Illinois needs a law in place before the courts lose patience. The 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals threw out Illinois' ban on concealed carry in December, giving lawmakers 180 days to craft a new law. That hourglass was set to run dry on June 9.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan asked the court for an extension on that deadline, and the court gave the state until July 9. That gives Quinn, a staunch gun control advocate, one month to review the bill.

Quinn doesn't have to seal the bill with a kiss. But he should take note of two realities.

One, a veto would place Illinois at risk of having no law regulating the concealed carry of firearms. Two, the bill had huge support: a 45-12-1 vote in the Senate and an 89-28 vote in the House. If those votes held, the legislature would easily override a veto by Quinn. This was a rare example of bipartisan, cross-regional cooperation.

The bill does have many safety protections. Law-abiding citizens who want to carry a concealed weapon in public would have to undergo a background check and complete 16 hours of training.

Law enforcement agencies could object to a license applicant, based on a reasonable suspicion that the applicant shouldn't be trusted with the privilege. A Concealed Carry Licensing Review Board, composed of seven members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate, would hear those cases.

Weapons could not be carried in schools, government buildings, taverns, public gatherings such as parades and festivals, Cook County forest preserves, casinos, stadiums, public parks, libraries, museums or zoos. No loaded weapon could be brought aboard public transportation.

Governor, like you, we'd prefer that the 7th Circuit had not placed Illinois in this position. But it did. And a veto of this bill will at best be symbolic and at worst invite legal chaos. Grit your teeth and sign it.

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Gov. Quinn: Sign the gun bill
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-carry-20130607,0,6146698.story

John Hames