Questions on ccw

[Glanceblamm]

As many of you know, the CCW issue is being ran through the IL legislation again and it has many supporters. It is not necessarly people like myself who need it but rather a lot of women in general or anyone who has to travel to or from their car in the larger parking lots like the Hospitals and such. The perpatrators know that there will be working folk coming in on 2nd shift and leaving on 3rd shift and can usually find an easy mark if they wait and watch. The employees can wait for a Security escort but they get sick of it on a daily basis because they are often forced to wait up to 40min to get an escort. In some job locations there is no Security at all other than maybe a gate keeper. To summorize, You could say that I am in favor of the CCW and would probably get one myself.

Getting your CCW: I believe that a six week course is mandatory and you must demonstrate proficency in the handling and shooting of your firearm at the end. I think that this will cost you around $150.

After Getting Your CCW...
In the fall & winter months, it would be easy to conceal your holstered weapon under a light jacket (without alarming anyone) as you go about your daily buisness in your civilian street clothes. But what about the Summer months and the shirt sleeve weather? A woman could easily carry a weapon in her purse but what about a Man?
It would seem that the (shock value) to the general public would be great to see me walking the streets with an open holstered weapon...many would call 911?...what about places like the Mall's? you would think that this might even cause a general panic for a non-uniformed person to be seen with a holstered weapon?

And finally...What about the clerks at the gas stations and convieniance stores?...How will they be able to tell the good guys from the bad guys?
Thanks if you can tell me how all of this works!

[ncsurveyor]

Unfortunately, your state has bred such an antipathy for firearms, you would take forever convincing some your not a threat.

Remember CCW contains Concealed and weapon.  Which goes along with the first rule of being in a gun fight is to have a gun.

Just avoid the potential, a NAA Guardian 380 can be concealed really easy.  As can many others.

A little IWB holster or what have you.

It shouldn't have to be like that, but at this stage, take whatever you can get.

[S.B.]

Randy, actually the Illinois State Police officers carry 24/7 without diffeculty, as do most sworn PD officers from your local communities? I would think that carrying in summer months dress, would be part of any good CCW course?
Of course, in the first several years after such a law was inacted, you'ld have the cowboys who just can't resist showing off their weapons and causing a scene.
Steve

[Glanceblamm]

I would think that carrying in summer months dress, would be part of any good CCW course?

Good point Steve as I would imagine that a lot could be learned here. In my younger dumber times when working an extensive trap line I had inadvertently entered the local grocery store with the H&R revolver strapped to my hip and fully loaded but under my jacket I did this a couple times if I remember right and it would have been a class 3 felony for sure (at least these days) and ones foid could be revoked.
To have a valid CCW would be great under these conditions or for the times that you want to get out quickly just to shoot a couple of five shot groups for load testing (my private range is less than 10min away)

There was also a time not too long ago when our son came into town around 7:00pm on a Fri. The wife & I took him to dinner but all of the main stream restaurants were full. We did find one just off the main lights in the corner of a large poorly lit parking lot that bordered the hood. We did ok but I was watching the windows like a hawk in case it would be necessary to hit the floor or to quickly exit out the back door in the case of a robbery attempt. I would have been very gratefull to have been allowed to "carry" on that trip. I know that the best practice is to stay out of those situations in the first place but the Son had drivin around 40miles to our house and we had gone an additional 25miles to that restaurant...hardly seems right that we should be bullyed or terrorized into returning home just because the local police cant be everywhere.

[Dixie Dude]

In the summer months, get a fanny pack, won't look too bad as a lot of people wear them jogging, carry water and such in them.  It would be better for a man than a purse. 

[Glanceblamm]

In the summer months, get a fanny pack, won't look too bad as a lot of people wear them jogging, carry water and such in them.  It would be better for a man than a purse. 

Very good idea as you do see a lot of these worn by the public. If one stays aware of the surroundings (like in hunting) they are usually fast enough when it counts to include retreving a full sized Vaquero from a crossdraw rig that is enclosed by zipped up coveralls.

[Empty Quiver]

You don't have to carry in a fanny pack in the summer. Get yourself a compact handgun, an inside the waistband holster, kydex won't sweat through. Buy a belt meant to carry a gun on and then dress yourself. You'll probably want to wear a T-shirt to keep a kydex holster off your skin, and a light cover shirt untucked.

I am going to stress buying quality and doing research before you end up with a bunch of Uncle Mikes nylon holsters in a drawer collecting lint. Expect to spend $50 to $150 getting a good holster and the same on a good belt. Look around, nothing says GOOBER like a fanny pack, and fumbling around with a zipper and a gun is a good way to be unprepared.

Alternately an airlight S&W J frame in a pocket holster makes for a pretty low profile carry weapon. Just make sure the pants are loose enough through the thighs to get your fist in there. I grew up in Il. and I know what the humidity is all about so I understand your concerns on concealment.

You aren't going to be able to carry off the tri athelete in training look as often as the guy going to work or the store look.  The gals at the C-Store will instantly know you aren't a felon when you produce your check card and leave with the 44oz soda and a newspaper. When carrying a pistol is legal well ...it's legal and besides if it is a conceal license they won't see it anyway.

Once you get past the novelty of it all you find that nobody is paying any attention to you anyway, they never did before and they aren't likely to start. ( teenagers have to hang christmas ornaments from their eyelids just to get someones attention)

When it's all said and done the Cook County crowd will nix this in all likelyhood. Like the early settlers of this nation you may have to move to escape oppression. Heck I did it, the air is just fine up here, and the fish taste better too!

[Glanceblamm]

Empty Quiver,
Thanks for the great tips...ours is probably just a pipe dream as I believe that the IL State Police is against this bill in additon to that Cook county crowd.

[S.B.]

You don't have to carry in a fanny pack in the summer.

Actually, I've seen it advertised that it's legal to carry in a fanny pack within Illinois? Mine you, I've not seen any proof of this.
Randy, I've seen in print where a good many are pro ccw, even some teachers. Still doubt we have enough to get into law?
Steve

[Glanceblamm]

Fingers are crossed 

[jdwolf]

I believe that the IL State Police is against this bill in additon to that Cook county crowd.

Your right,  The ISP and Cook County crowd is against this CCW bill.  However,  it has more support this time than it's ever had before,  not from just the downstate lawmakers but from the Illinois Sheriff's Association as well.  The Supreme Courts recent decision that the 2nd amendment is an individual right seperate from a milita and the referendum that 14 Illinois counties voted on last year (10 for, 4 against) is playing a major role in getting this bill passed.  Also,  Blago,  who is no longer our governor  (thank you Lord),  said,  he would veto any CCW bill.  But from what I'm hearing,  our new governor Pat Quinn may be more open to having a CCW law in Illinois.