Barely is the ink dry on the Supreme Court decision District of Columbia v. Heller when Chicago is up in arms. Mayor Daley is declaring the decision “frightening” and vowing to fight to keep Chicago’s gun ban. Chicago liberals are going so far as to call for the repeal of the 2nd amendment. The 12 Angry Men chimed in on the decision and readers will note my opinion. But I wanted to specifically look at the State of Illinois and the individual right (as established by Justice Scalia) to “keep and bear arms”, specifically the “bear” part.
Illinois is a “no carry” state. Individuals in Illinois can own weapons but cannot carry them concealed. Given the law enforcement attitude, it is also right stupid to carry a weapon unconcealed — even though it is technically legal (but practically impossible). However, many law enforcement personnel throughout the state have a right to carry weapons. These are the class of public servants which Mayor Daley wants you to believe are endangered by DC v. Heller. For the recond, I list those who have a right to, and do carry in urban areas throughout Illinois.
Federal Personnel
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents
- Federal District Court Employees
- Internal Revenue Service Agents
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Agents
- Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Agents
- US Federal Marshals
- US Air Marshal Service Agents
- US Special Investigators
- Transportation Security Agency (TSA) Agents
- US Secret Service Agents
- Federal Prison Guards
- US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents
- US Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General Agents
- US Postal Inspector Service Agents
State of Illinois Personnel
- City Police
- County Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs
- University Police
- Community College Police
- Township & County SWAT
- Illinois State Police
- Secretary of State Police
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement (Conservation Police)
- Illinois Bureau of Revenue Agents
- Illinois National Guard Members (on duty)
- Illinois Department of Corrections Agents
- Illinois Attorney General’s Police
- Illinois Department of Trasportation Police
- Capitol Police
In fact, it is virtually impossible to obtain a complete list of all of the agencies, both at the Federal and State level, who authorize their agents to carry weapons. I have read that this group constitutes almost 25% of the population of the Unites States. I doubt this, but as the list shows, it it a far from insignificant number. With all these law enforcement agencies, is there any chance of abuse of power? Naw!
If gun control advocates want to repeal the 2nd amendment and remove all the guns, then at least afterwards, the law enforcement people should emulate the Bobbies of England and go about their business un-armed.
July 10, 2008 at 4:37 pm
There is no, and should be no, right to carry concealed. But there is a right to carry in the open. Open carry also deters more crime than concealed carry, for the obvious reason that criminals can’t tell when someone is carrying concealed and thus don’t know not to screw with folks who carry concealed.
I’m also not sure why it is “right stupid” to carry openly based on the article you cited. The person in question was neither detained, injured, or impeded. It’s the case of citizens being stupid in the way they report things, not police abuse of power.
Open carry is smart, safe, legal, constitutionally protected, and of benefit to society.
Concealed carry is silly, stupid, not constitutionally protected, and of no benefit to society. It just helps rednecks feel better.
July 26, 2008 at 11:16 pm
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December 14, 2009 at 11:38 am
Great article thank you for sharing!