What does HB0997 say?

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What does HB0997, this session's concealed carry bill, have to say? Here's the synopsis of the bill as filed.

"Creates the Family and Personal Protection Act. Provides that the Department of State Police shall issue a license to a person to: (1) carry a loaded or unloaded handgun on or about his or her person, concealed or otherwise; (2) keep or carry a loaded or unloaded handgun on or about his or her person when in a vehicle; and (3) keep a loaded or unloaded handgun openly or concealed in a vehicle. Prohibits the carrying of the handgun in certain locations. Provides that the license shall be issued by the Department of State Police within 30 days of receipt of a completed application and shall be valid throughout the State for a period of 5 years from the date of issuance. Provides for renewal of licenses. Establishes qualifications for licensees, certified firearms instructors, and instructor trainers. Provides for home rule preemption. Provides that the provisions of the Act are severable. Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Prohibits from inspection and copying information about applications for licenses to carry a handgun and about license holders contained in the database created by the Family and Personal Protection Act, except as authorized by that Act. Amends the State Finance Act and the Criminal Code of , the bill2012 to make conforming changes. Effective immediately."

Let's take it apart:

1. Provides that the Department of State Police shall issue a license...   These words are important. It is the Illinois State Police that is to issue the license, not the local County Sheriff or the Chief of Police of your town. This assures applicants of more uniformity of issue and reduces the chance that someone who has been a political opponent might experience some difficulty in getting his license.

2. Provides that the Department of State Police shall issue a license...   The word "shall" means that, if the applicant meets the qualifications, then he gets the license. Not "may" issue or "can" issue or "will" issue. The word is "shall".

3. "...to carry a loaded or unloaded handgun on or about his or her person, concealed or otherwise; ..." This looks like open carry to me. What is other than concealed? Not concealed. Open. See you at Culver's, folks. (Remember the Madison (Wisc.) Five?)

4. "... keep or carry a loaded or unloaded handgun on or about his or her person when in a vehicle; and ... keep a loaded or unloaded handgun openly or concealed in a vehicle." This looks like the licensed person can have the handgun on him in the car or leave it in the car, when he leaves the car. For example, if he goes into a government building. (Just be sure to park on the street at the courthouse, not in the parking lot on "government property".)

5. "Prohibits the carrying of the handgun in certain locations." I haven't inspected the "fine print", but there are probably gun-free zones, such as schools, government buildings, businesses that post against carrying.

6. "Provides that the license shall be issued by the Department of State Police within 30 days of receipt of a completed application" - - makes the DSP act and not malinger...

7. "...shall be valid throughout the State for a period of 5 years from the date of issuance. " Takes away the possibility that Chicago would required 30-day renewals on its residents.

8. "Establishes qualifications for licensees, certified firearms instructors, and instructor trainers." Gun owners will likely not object to reasonable qualifications similar to those existing in many other states.

9. "Provides for home rule preemption." This will keep Cook County Dems from "carving out" Chicago and making their own, more restrictive rules there.

10. "Effective immediately." Bonanza! The U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals told Illinois it has 120 days to pass a law. That's about June 9, 2013. Let's say the legislators and the Governor malinger to the 11th hour.

Then on June 10, 2013, we have a concealed carry law. The application forms should be on the internet. There will be a rush of classes and time to get fingerprinted and photographed. Will the State Police use digital photographs from the DMV files, or will they require new photos?

Application fee, $25.00. License period, 5 yrs. Renewal fee, $25.00.

And you get to shoot first to get your license. You shoot 30 rounds on a B-21 silhouette target, which is 35" x 45". To pass, you have to hit the silhouette 70% of the time. You fire 20 rounds from 7 yards and 10 rounds from 15 yards. (This ought to draw some comments!)