Illinois concealed-carry law is overdue

In light of the recent news of the 52 shootings in Chicago, and the attempted terrorist car bombing attack in New York's Times Square, now is the time that the state of Illinois must join those other states that have granted concealed carry of firearms for personal protection of its citizens.

It is a proven fact in every state that has authorized concealed carry (of firearms) that crime is reduced. The fantasy of anti-gunners and Mayor Daley that cowboys with guns will turn our streets red has never come to fruition in any state that has enacted a concealed carry law.

Instead, in those states where concealed carry is allowed, lawful gun owners have used their firearms to protect themselves, their property and the public at large in more instances than is being reported in the media.

It is a simple truth that local police cannot and have no legal liability to protect our citizenry from a criminal intent on committing a violent crime. Those vital minutes when making a 911 call, before the police can show up, can mean the difference between life and death of our sons and daughters.

It could be argued that if just one person in the Brown's Chicken restaurant had a permit to carry a concealed weapon that no one would have been killed. What of the 80-year-old gentleman who just recently successfully defended himself against a career violent criminal? Would he just be another obituary that we read?

As a matter of record, more and more police associations support the right of a lawfully armed citizenry to defend themselves against violent attack from predator criminals. For the first time since they were founded in 1928, the Illinois Sheriff's Association last year publicly announced its support for a concealed-carry handgun law in Illinois.

It is time the state of Illinois stop being governed by the whims and wishes of Mayor Daley who hides behind his armed security guards and police assigned to his personal security so we can be allowed to defend ourselves, our children and our property.

Martin Zima

South Elgin