State inept on credit, guns

Illinois ranks far down on the list of all states in many areas, but two big ones stand out — our credit rating and gun control.

Only one state in the union has a worse credit rating than Illinois. An inept state legislature’s decision making policies has put us in this position. It is obvious Illinois legislators have no knowledge of sound economic policy by approving unbalanced budgets and ignoring generally accepted sound fiscal practices.

Also, Illinois is inept in handling violent crime.

Citizens in 48 states legally carry firearms to protect themselves and their families. Illinois is one of only two states that does not allow concealed carry.

Statistics show that states that have passed concealed carry laws experience lower violent crime rates, including violent crimes against women.

Fears about concealed carry are ridiculously misplaced. The huge benefit of concealed carry is that no one knows who is carrying a firearm. We should have the right to protect ourselves inside and outside of our home.

Concealed carry works, and blocking passage of the right to carry is another example of our uninformed legislators in Springfield. What is it that they think they know that 48 other states don’t?

I guess our legislators believe that the only people that should carry firearms in Illinois are law enforcement officers, crooks, murderers, and gangs. This is absurd and incompetent thinking.

Leo A. Dietrich

Lake Villa