Illinois Legislators passed the Firearm Concealed Carry Act 98-63, on July 9, 2013, This decal has begun to appear on the entrances of Morrison, IL, buildings. The Act requires that signs, stating that the carrying of firearms is prohibited, shall be clearly and conspicuously posted at the entrance of a building, premises, or real property, unless the building or premises is a private residence.
Morrison Chief of Police Brian Melton has available free vinyl window signs. Building renters must seek permission from the owner before posting a sign.
“Concealed firearm” means a loaded or unloaded handgun carried on or about a person, completely or mostly concealed from view of the public, or on or about a person within a vehicle. Illinois does not allow “open” carry of firearms, such as in a hip holster.
On August 30, 2013, the Illinois State Police (ISP) made applications available for certified firearms instructors and firearm training courses. Citizens must complete a 16-hour firearms training course as part of the licensing requirements. Courses were approved and posted on September 30. A plethora of entreprenuers now are available to teach how to handle weapons–currently over 1,400 certified instructors. A registry of approved instructors and courses is available on the ISP webpage.
Chief Melton stated on Wednesday, February 5, 2014, the ISP made applications for licenses available to the public on January 5. The “application procedure must be done online” on the ISP webpage. The last time he checked, there were “124 applications in Whiteside County. The local Police can give a review and objection” of those applications “within 30 days.”
Did he anticipate that many applications? “Actually, I think it’s lower than I first thought.” He added, the State Police were expecting a large number of applications. “There’re several steps” to the process, as noted below, which make it an effort to obtain an Illinois Concealed Carry License.
Does he expect abuse of the privilege to carry a concealed firearm? “No. The Concealed Carry License is more strict, more expensive, than getting a FOID card. The processes are reasonable. It’s never the people [who] obey the law that are the problem. They aren’t generally a risk to us.”
The following requirements are listed from the ISP website. The applicant must
- be at least 21 years of age
- have a valid FOID card (if an Illinois resident)
- not be the subject of a pending arrest warrant, prosecution, or proceeding for an offense or action that could lead to disqualification
- not have been in residential or court-ordered treatment for alcoholism, alcohol detoxification, or drug treatment within the last five years
- have not been convicted or found guilty in Illinois or any other state of a misdemeanor involving the use or threat of physical force or violence to any person within the last five years
- not have two or more violations related to driving while under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds, or any combination thereof, within the last five years
- submit an appropriately completed Concealed Carry License application
- successfully complete 16 hours of firearms training, including classroom and range instruction.
The required 16-hour firearms training course will include range qualification time and shall cover the following:
- firearm safety
- the basic principles of marksmanship
- care, cleaning, loading, and unloading of a concealable firearm
- all applicable State and Federal laws relating to the ownership, storage, carry, and transportation of a firearm
- instruction on the appropriate and lawful interaction with law enforcement while transporting or carrying a concealed firearm.
All applicants must pass a live fire exercise
- ten rounds from a distance of five yards
- ten rounds from a distance of seven yards
- ten rounds from a distance of ten yards at a B-27 silhouette target approved by the ISP.