Quinn Calls Concealed Carry Bill ‘Massive Overreach'

Gov. Pat Quinn issued an immediate condemnation of the conceal carry bill that passed the state House today. The bill, championed by Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, would override all local gun ordinances, including Chicago's ban on assault weapons. Quinn finds that provision unacceptable, and said so strongly in a statement released after the vote, which made it clear that he would veto such a bill.

This legislation is wrong for Illinois.

It was wrong yesterday in committee, it’s wrong today, and it’s wrong for the future of public safety in our state.

The principle of home rule is an important one. As written, this legislation is a massive overreach that would repeal critical gun safety ordinances in Chicago, Cook County, and across Illinois.

We need strong gun safety laws that protect the people of our state. Instead, this measure puts public safety at risk.

I will not support this bill and I will work with members of the Illinois Senate to stop it in its tracks.


Quinn favors the Senate bill, which requires a gun owner to provide a proper reason for carrying a concealed weapon. Illinois has until June 9 to comply with a court order to pass a concealed carry bill.

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