McCarthy Criticizes Training Requirement In Concealed Carry Measure
Updated 06/03/13 - 2 p.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago's top cop said Monday the concealed carry legislation approved by state lawmakers last week should have mandated more training before a person can carry a concealed fiream.
WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said the concealed carry legislation is fraught with problems.
"You say concealed carry, I say Trayvon Martin, and look at the results there," he said, referring to the shooting death of a Florida teen last year by George Zimmerman, a member of the community watch where the shooting took place.
McCarthy Wants More Required Training For Concealed Carry
McCarthy was talking about the training that would be required to get a concealed carry permit.
The measure sent to the governor would require Illinois residents to receive 16 hours of training before getting a permit to carry a concealed firearm.
McCarthy said that falls far short of what is needed to make sure someone knows how to properly and safely fire a handgun.
"Police officers go through six months in the police academy, four months of field training, ongoing training and practicing. We make mistakes frequently," he said.
However, the 16 hours required under the Illinois plan would be the most training of any state in the U.S.
He also expressed concern about situations when police arrive at the scene of an incident where one or more people have guns, and permits to carry them.
"This is fraught with problems," he said. "I mean, I hate to be a soothsayer, and I hope it doesn't happen, but every other time that these issues arise in other places, those are the results: we have bad shootings."
McCarthy applauded separate legislation that would require gun owners to file a report with police within 72 hours if a firearm is lost, stolen or transferred to another owner.
The concealed carry legislation approved on Friday would allow local governments to retain existing firearms ordinances – such as Chicago's ban on assault weapons – but require them to enact concealed carry. Local governments would also be blocked from approving new rules for transporting guns and assault-weapon restrictions.
The legislation would prohibit the carrying of firearms in many locations -- including schools, taverns and parks -- but would allow a gun to be kept securely in a car.
The Illinois State Police would be required to issue a concealed carry permit to any gun owner with a valid Firearm Owners Identification card, if they pass a background check, pay a $150 fee, and complete the required 16 hours of training.
The governor has yet to say if he'll sign the concealed carry measure, but it passed the House and Senate with veto-proof majorities. A federal appeals court has given the state until June 9 to enact concealed carry legislation, after striking down the state's previous ban on carrying concealed firearms.
