For the first time since it was founded in 1928, the Illinois Sheriffs' Association passed a resolution Tuesday supporting a state concealed-carry handgun law. (more)Members of the 102-county association concluded their three-day winter training conference at the i Wireless Center in Moline on Tuesday. They also elected Henry County Sheriff Gib Cady as its 2009 president. Sheriff Cady is a strong proponent of a concealed-carry handgun law.
"We are constitutional officers for the people,"Sheriff Cady said, "and the people want this."
Greg Sullivan, executive director of the asssociation, said the group wanted to weigh in on the issue. There is a strong push from the National Rifle Association to back some type of concealed-carry handgun law, he said, noting that only Illinois and Wisconsin have no form of concealed-carry handgun laws.
The association's resolution noted it surveyed Illinois sheriffs on the issue, and 90 percent of those responding "support concealed carry in Illinois if adequate training and safeguards are included."
Mr. Sullivan said at least 60 sheriffs attended this week's conference. Although he did not have the vote total, Mr. Sullivan said the group unanimously supported the call for a concealed-carry handgun law.
The sheriffs' association's endorsement, he said, should have some impact on legislators in Springfield.
"Sheriffs aren't the puppets of mayors and county board chairmen," Mr. Vandermyde said. "What's being proposed is not a radical idea. Forty-eight states have it. Forty-eight states can't be wrong."
Thanks to Chris who sent this in.
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