Quinn says he will oppose concealed carry

Gov. Pat Quinn today announced his opposition to concealed carry legislation up for debate this week in the Illinois House, saying allowing private citizens to carry loaded weapons is dangerous and would be detrimental to public safety.

Quinn said he fears letting people carry guns would only escalate tense situations and lead to shootings that might otherwise be avoided. He said he is also concerned that Illinois' gun licensing system would not be able to handle an increased workload and said there are concerns that the current screening process is not thorough enough to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill.

"The concept of concealed, loaded hand guns in the possession of private citizens does not enhance public safety, on the contrary it increases danger for everyday people as they go about their lives," Quinn said. "I don't think we're in the business of trying to increase danger to the people of Illinois. We want to work with our law enforcement and prevent bad things from happening. I think the passage of this law by the General Assembly would be most unwise and they should know where they governor stands and where the people stand."

Quinn said he would veto any measure allowing concealed carry should lawmakers send it his way.

National Rifle Association lobbyist Todd Vandermyde said the governor "seems to have a tin ear on what the needs of this state are."

Vandermyde said he is close to collecting enough support in the House to pass the legislation this spring and that it would be easier in the Senate to pass. If the bill passes both chambers, Vandermyde said, he remained confident that he could override a governor's veto.

"Pat Quinn can talk a good game about being for the little guy or the working stiffs," Vandermyde said. "What he has shown us is he's more of an elitist than ever before."

A new version of the concealed weapons bill could be heard in committee as early as today.

Quinn's announcement came at a morning news conference at his Chicago office, where he was flanked by new Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau and members of the Illinois Anti-Violence Commission, which he appointed during the fall campaign. Most of the members have had family members killed by gun violence.

"I cannot imagine a reason you need to carry a concealed, loaded weapon unless you're willing to use it on another human being," said Jennifer Loudon, the widow of Chicago Police Office Thor Soderberg, who was shot on the job last summer. "I cannot wish that on anybody else. I do not want another family to ever have go through what our family has had to go through."