Morrison Blasts Conceal Carry Veto Override

By Steve Sadin

Concealed carrying of handguns became legal in Illinois today as the General Assembly voted to override Gov. Patrick Quinn’s veto voting its version of the legislation into law without the governor’s signature.

As soon as the bill became law, state Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield), who was one of 17 senators to vote against the motion to override the veto, criticized her colleagues for allowing a law which allows people to carry a firearm while consuming alcohol.

“Alcohol and guns don’t mix. This is a tragic provision,” Morrison said. “The governor’s proposal had a lot of good in it,” she added referring to changes Quinn made which the legislature chose not to consider. Prohibiting possession of a gun while drinking was one of them.

Just before noon, the Illinois House voted 77-31 to override the governor’s veto. State Rep. Scott Drury (D-Highwood) voted against the motion to make the bill law without Quinn’s signature. State Rep. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) abstained from the vote. The bill was then sent to the Senate which followed suit, 41-17.

Morrison was also unhappy with provisions of the legislation which now give home rule municipalities like Deerfield, Highland Park, Lake Forest and Buffalo Grove 10 days to pass restrictions on assault weapons or lose the right to do so.

“I’m still concerned this law has a lot of bad elements,” Morrison said. “I am particularly concerned the bill invalidates elements of home rule, allows guns in areas that serve alcohol and does not limit how many guns an individual may carry.”

Deerfield and Highland Park have already acted to regulate assault weapons while Buffalo Grove and Lake Forest both have meetings scheduled Monday where an ordinance can be passed if those municipalities’ legislative bodies choose to do so.