A state lawmaker who helped steer Illinois’ concealed carry law through the General Assembly now is criticizing it, saying it’s “too complicated” when dealing with people from other states.
As the law is currently written, non-residents who want to pack heat in Illinois have to get an Illinois permit.
But getting a permit isn’t that easy, as there are other rules for out-of-state residents.
For example, here are some of the requirements, according to the Illinois State Police:
- Only residents of states that have laws related to firearm ownership, possession and carrying that are substantially similar to the requirements to obtain a license (in Illinois) under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act are eligible.
- The comparable state regulates who can carry firearms;
- Prohibits people who have involuntarily been placed in a mental health facility from carrying, or who have voluntarily placed themselves in such a facility within the last five years; and
- Reports both approved and denied applicants to nationwide databases.
All of that has Democratic state Rep. Brandon Phelps crying foul and saying “it’s too complicated,” according to the State Journal-Register.
We need to look a little more carefully at how we’re treating people from other states, Phelps said. A lot of those states have good standards. They should have been granted reciprocity in Illinois.
And this is having an impact on Illinois residents as well.
Because Illinois doesn’t honor other states’ permits, some states are refusing to honor Illinois’ permits as well.
