Sponsor, Gainer clash over concealed-carry comments
written by Mike Lyons, journal writer

SPRINGFIELD, IL - State Police director Terry Gainer claimed today his comment was "tongue-in-cheek".

"Horse hockey!" says State Rep. Michael wEaver, R-Matoon, IL, "he was as serious as the day is long".

Weaver says Gainer indicated he would gladly ignore applictions for citizen permits to carry concealed handguns for their own protection if Weaver's proposal for the law passes.   He vowed Tuesday that he will seek Gainer's removal from office.

Gainer's comment came during committee hearings last week. The bill succeeded in passing out of committee and into the House floor for a vote,  but not without strenuous objection from Rep. Phil Novak of Bradley.  According to Weaver and others, Gainer noted that is such permits required his signature "those things are going to be delayed."

Yet another witness characterized Gainer's comment this way:  If it was up to me, the stacks in my in-file would be higher and higher and higher", raising his hand about three feet above the committee table to indicate the depth of the delay he intended to impose by ignoring the law.

That comment both shocked and outraged Weaver and fellow Representatives Ron Stevens of Troy and John Jones of Mt. Vernon.  Gainer is well known for his anti-gun views and was influential in former Chicago Mayor Jane Byrn's handgun ban in the city.

In any case,, Weaver says he intends to seek Gainer's dismissal.  "I fully intend to talk to the chairman of the committee in the Senate that deals with confirmation so that that man is no longer going to be director of the state police.  I think that for any director to publicly state that he would not enforce the laws of the state is absolutely an abrogation of duty.  I don't care if he agrees or disagrees with me -- that's a personal thing -- but his job is to enforce the laws we pass.  It's not to selectively decide which ones he likes and which one's he doesn't like."

The fact is, passage of such a measure is unlikely this  year and even if the bill did pass, Gov. Jim Edgar has vowed to veto it.  Supporters, though, hope to eventually gain a veto proof majority on the matter or help elect a govenor friendly to the issue.

But Weaver, who began the effort to allow qualified citizens to carry weapons for self deefense, notes that the road to passage has taken several years in the 31 states now allowing citizens the ability to defend themselvbes against violent criminals.

Professor John Lott of the University of Chicago and the author of a recent study on the effect of such "right to carry" laws in several states, briefed the committee on his study findings.  Among other things, Lott's study shows a significant drop in violent crime in states which have passed right-to-carry laws.

The bill is opposed by Chicago Democrats and their downstate allies.

Contrary to the actual results recorded in every other state in which such measures have been passed, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley Tuesday claimed that passage of the measure would threaten to unleash more violence and senseless killing in communities throughout the state.  Daley did not cite any studies which bear out his assertions.

"When streets are dangerous it's because there are too many guns on the streets.  Returning to the days of the Wild West is  the more liekly reason for chicago's violence.  The issue has also pitted police administrators and union bosses, groups which counsel against citizen permits, against significant number sof rank and file officers who favor the licensing of citizens.

Many street officers also critize the state for not allowing retired officers to carry concealed weapons, despite their training and experience.