CHICAGO -- The sheriff of Illinois' most populous county
believes a proposed concealed weapons law is "fatally flawed" because
it all but guarantees that people who should not be allowed to have guns will
be able to get them, according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press.
In a letter Wednesday to Gov. Pat Quinn, who is considering
signing the legislation, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart doesn't say the bill
approved by lawmakers last month should be vetoed. But he harshly criticizes a
provision that would require law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to object
to a governor-appointed panel if they suspect applicants are dangerous to
themselves or others.
The sheriff said that if Quinn signs the bill into law, it
would be impossible for law enforcement to adequately investigate what he
expects to be a flood of applications, resulting in granting some people
permits to carry concealed weapons who shouldn't get them.
"This bill creates a process that is designed to fail
and will put Illinois communities at increased risk," Dart wrote.
"This bill is fatally flawed and creates the illusion of public
safety."
Quinn's office did not immediately return a call seeking
comment.
In an interview, Dart told the AP that small counties may be
able to keep up with the with permit applications - but that in Cook County,
home to Chicago and more 358,000 Firearm Owners Identification cardholders,
that would be impossible. He said the job would be even more difficult because
there appears to be no requirement that applicants reveal if they've received
mental health counseling or any other information that might raise concerns
among law enforcement.
"All we are given is a name, that's it," Dart
said.
The sheriff said he was particularly troubled that the
legislation appears not to allow law enforcement to do anything if they come
across information after applicants are granted concealed-carry permits.
"If we find out later there is a well-known Gangster
Disciple (gang member) who got a permit and everyone agrees that it should have
been prevented, there is nothing we can do about it," Dart said.
Dart's objections is the latest chapter in what has become a
contentious issue ever since a federal appeals court ordered Illinois - the
last state in the nation that prohibits concealed weapons - to allow concealed
carry.
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