McHenry Co. Right to Carry Town Hall Meeting

[Chris]

So far over 400 people in attendance.

[bhannah]

So far over 400 people in attendance.

 

 

The jag who was supposed to come releave me never showed up I am a bit miffed to say the least...

[GarandFan]

Over 400 people!!

 

That's a fantastic turnout! This is a single-issue townhall on freedom to carry?

[abolt243]

Over 400 people!!

 

That's a fantastic turnout! This is a single-issue townhall on freedom to carry?

 

Yep!! See Molly's first post in this thread. A brand new organization too!!!

 

Things are a movin' in McHenry county!!

 

AB

[Chris]

Molly b and mikew both spoke already and did a great job.

 

We have flyers for all sort of things but the igold flyers are going like crazy!

[Don Gwinn]

That is fantastic. I can't wait to see the videos . . . I'm very interested in who speaks at this event.

 

In the meantime, people can just keep telling themselves that Illinois doesn't want RTC, and even if the inbred sod-busters out in the sticks do, that's just now how things are done north of I-80 . . . .

[PPK]

That is fantastic. I can't wait to see the videos . . . I'm very interested in who speaks at this event.

 

In the meantime, people can just keep telling themselves that Illinois doesn't want RTC, and even if the inbred sod-busters out in the sticks do, that's just now how things are done north of I-80 . . . .

I'd go easy on those inbred sod-busters. They like their guns, too.

[ilphil]

It was a very interesting event. Nice to put a face with some of the people I have shared discussions with here over the years.

Lots of recognition for IllinoisCarry.com and in my totally unbiased opinion Molly had the best speech by far!!

 

But I must admit, after hearing the McHenry County Sheriff detail all the strings attached to the Sheriff's Associations resolution in support of concealed carry it isn't as much of a victory as I originally thought it was.

 

It will be interesting to see if the momentum can be maintained in this corner of the state.

[jobes]

A few pics from the Meeting. We really packed that place good.

 

[RXtion]

Well folks, I screwed up.

 

I was recording the meeting. Halfway through the speeches the low hard disk space indicator on the screen came on letting me know I only had a couple minutes left of recording. I forgot to clear some space before the meeting. Molly b was the next speaker so I stopped recording so i could delete some of the older videos and record the rest of the meeting. Well in my frantic attempt to clear some space I deleted everything! The first half of the meeting and a whole bunch of family videos, gone. I managed to start up the recording again about a minute or two into her speech. Hopefully when I get home(i'm posting from my phone right now) i will be able to use some data recovery tools to recover the first half of the meeting. So, unfortunatley the videos from me will be a bit delayed. There was another guy there with a video camera up front, I'm not sure if he's on here. But he should have complete coverage of all the speeches.

 

I'll get my vids up as soon as I can.

[Molly B.]

Yes, this was a town hall meeting dedicated to one issue - Right to Carry in Illinois!

Over 400+ good citizens turned out in support of the issue.

 

The event was well planned and ran without a hitch. The newly formed

McHenry Co. Right to Carry Association are a great bunch of folks - it was a pleasure working with

them during the planning stages and a tremendous HONOR to meet them in person tonight!

 

The cause is exploding throughout the state and never again can anyone say -

that Illinois north of I-80 isn't committed to Right to Carry in this state!!!!

 

IllinoisCarry is so proud to be involved with such dedicated individuals -

 

Molly B.

[jobes]

http://woodstockadvocate.blogspot.com/2010...arry-event.html

 

It's tomorrow already:)

 

<H2 class=date-header>Thursday, January 21, 2010</H2><H3 class="post-title entry-title"><A href="http://woodstockadvocate.blogspot.com/2010/01/500-at-right-to-carry-event.html">500 at Right-to-Carry event </H3>The McHenry County Right-to-Carry Association kicked off its formation tonight with a large meeting in Lakemoor at Lakemoor Banquets. The parking lot was crammed with cars and trucks, and an estimated 500 were gathered to hear Lou Rofrano introduce the organization.

 

Lou started off with the Pledge of Allegiance and recognition of veterans, past and present. He gave his story about the reasons for forming the group, and he stressed the importance of the individual efforts to change the culture that exists here in Illinois. Lou mentioned other important groups in the right-to-carry movement: the NRA, the Illinois State Rifle Association, IllinoisCarry.com, and the McHenry County Sportsman's Club.

 

Lou introduced Sheriff Nygren, who told the group about a resolution passed by the Illinois Sheriff's Association that supports right-to-carry. In a separate article I will address that resolution, how it passed, and the Conditions that the Sheriffs' Association believes are important.

 

Lee Lexow, of the McHenry County Sportsman's Club (Richmond, Ill.), reported that Wisconsin allows "open carry" of loaded handguns but prohibits concealed carry. Before strapping on the Buntline Special when you get to Lake Geneva, be sure to find out what the exact law is and whether non-residents are entitled to carry in the open. Lee was at Fort Hood, Texas, in 1991 and had friends in the Luby's Restaurant for a chamber of commerce meeting, when a gunman drove a pick-up truck through a window into a restaurant and executed more than 20 diners in the restaurant.

 

A woman, whose name I did not clearly understand, gave a good presentation about concealed carry and stressed the importance of being empowered, smart and in control with regard to self-defense.

 

Valinda Rowe, of IllinoisCarry.com, is an avid proponent of concealed carry. She mentioned the Illinois State Police website and its encouragement for women to carry car keys and hair combs for self-defense. She said that website also encourages women to be "imaginative" and that she imagines a 9mm or a .45 for self-defense. She added that "the purpose of right-to-carry is to stay alive until the police arrive."

 

Mike Weisman, 1st VP of the Illinois State Rifle Assn., said the ISRA is in it 107th year. He mentioned that oral arguments in the Chicago gun case will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on March 2, 2010.

 

Nick Provenzano, candidate for County Board District 3, recommends right-to-carry right here and right now!

 

Joe Walsh, Republican candidate for Congress 8th District (Melissa Bean's seat) said, "The most important Amendment in the Constitution is the Second Amendment. It's the one that protects all the others."

 

To join the McHenry County Right to Carry Association, send $20 to them at P.O. Box 24, Spring Grove, IL 60081.

 

Email questions, concerns or comments to MCR2CA@gmail.com

 

Watch for its website coming soon at www.mcr2c.com

[mikew]

There was another guy there with a video camera up front,

We think we know who that was.

[tdiller]

My thoughts exactly on the Sheriff's Assoc. It also was interesting to see that he was challenged on that position. I wasn't sure if that was the associations position or his own.

 

Many of the speakers used words or phrases like "Kill the bad guy". I know that if it came down to defending oneself the use of deadly force may be used but if the goal is to convince non-believers then maybe less aggressive words could be used in the speeches. To me it was a bit of a turn off to the goal of getting the right to carry. While subtle it could be that this is how some non-carry folks are getting the wild wild west images. The right to carry should not be so loosely coupled with kill the bad guy.

 

 

It was a very interesting event. Nice to put a face with some of the people I have shared discussions with here over the years.

Lots of recognition for IllinoisCarry.com and in my totally unbiased opinion Molly had the best speech by far!!

 

But I must admit, after hearing the McHenry County Sheriff detail all the strings attached to the Sheriff's Associations resolution in support of concealed carry it isn't as much of a victory as I originally thought it was.

 

It will be interesting to see if the momentum can be maintained in this corner of the state.

[lockman]

I knew the Sheriff stepped in it when he added his concerns after reading the Sheriffs Associations resolution.

 

 

On the Drivers license proposal I was thinking it would be a shame if non LTC holders are dragged from their vehicles and searched for weapons because they do not have an LTC endorsement. Remember, LEO's approach everybody as if they are armed, right? After all, if you have the endorsement on your DL then the officer knows you have been trained, vetted and approved by the state for carry just like him/her.

 

Several commentators did remind the Sheriff that right to carry is a right, not a privilege. The Sheriff then answered that his officers will not give up their "right" to defend themselves after a comment about them "flashing" during traffic stops. I was always under the impression that carrying a gun for official duties was an exercise of granted powers, or in other words "privilege" and a citizen carrying for self defense was the "right". Where did I go wrong?

 

Overall I was amazed at the turnout and my thanks go out to all those that put in the time and effort to make it happen. I truly believe an era of change is at hand.

 

McHenry County yesterday, Kane?, DuPage? Lake? Tomorrow?

[TyGuy]

Any major media coverage?

[ilphil]

I knew the Sheriff stepped in it when he added his concerns after reading the Sheriffs Associations resolution.

 

 

On the Drivers license proposal I was thinking it would be a shame if non LTC holders are dragged from their vehicles and searched for weapons because they do not have an LTC endorsement. Remember, LEO's approach everybody as if they are armed, right? After all, if you have the endorsement on your DL then the officer knows you have been trained, vetted and approved by the state for carry just like him/her.

 

Several commentators did remind the Sheriff that right to carry is a right, not a privilege. The Sheriff then answered that his officers will not give up their "right" to defend themselves after a comment about them "flashing" during traffic stops. I was always under the impression that carrying a gun for official duties was an exercise of granted powers, or in other words "privilege" and a citizen carrying for self defense was the "right". Where did I go wrong?

 

Overall I was amazed at the turnout and my thanks go out to all those that put in the time and effort to make it happen. I truly believe an era of change is at hand.

 

McHenry County yesterday, Kane?, DuPage? Lake? Tomorrow?

 

 

I found it quite telling and rather arrogant that the Sheriff obviously feels that his deputies have more of a "right" to defend themselves than us peons do.

My guess is that in his world anyone with that carry holder designation on their driver's license can count on being treated VERY differently than other drivers. And not in a positive way, either.

If I lived in McHenry County it would be very difficult to justify voting for him.

[tdiller]

None that I saw.

 

 

Any major media coverage?

[Chris]

I knew the Sheriff stepped in it when he added his concerns after reading the Sheriffs Associations resolution.

 

 

On the Drivers license proposal I was thinking it would be a shame if non LTC holders are dragged from their vehicles and searched for weapons because they do not have an LTC endorsement. Remember, LEO's approach everybody as if they are armed, right? After all, if you have the endorsement on your DL then the officer knows you have been trained, vetted and approved by the state for carry just like him/her.

 

Several commentators did remind the Sheriff that right to carry is a right, not a privilege. The Sheriff then answered that his officers will not give up their "right" to defend themselves after a comment about them "flashing" during traffic stops. I was always under the impression that carrying a gun for official duties was an exercise of granted powers, or in other words "privilege" and a citizen carrying for self defense was the "right". Where did I go wrong?

 

Overall I was amazed at the turnout and my thanks go out to all those that put in the time and effort to make it happen. I truly believe an era of change is at hand.

 

McHenry County yesterday, Kane?, DuPage? Lake? Tomorrow?

 

 

I found it quite telling and rather arrogant that the Sheriff obviously feels that his deputies have more of a "right" to defend themselves than us peons do.

My guess is that in his world anyone with that carry holder designation on their driver's license can count on being treated VERY differently than other drivers. And not in a positive way, either.

If I lived in McHenry County it would be very difficult to justify voting for him.

 

Anyone know what party that sheriff is running under?

[GarandFan]

I recommend that you guys hold your reservations about the Sheriff, and the Sheriff's Association. At this point, it's a huge deal that they support the idea of "carry" but the details are a minor deal.

 

I hate to use this somewhat tired saying ... but having the Sheriffs Assn on board is hugely important to an Illinois carry bill. At this point, it might be unwise to bite the hand that feeds.

[Tvandermyde]

I'm going to try and not offend anyone....

 

I know the sheriff and he's a good guy. supports the gun guys but just wants to see all his people go home at night.

 

You are dealing with a law enforcement mentalitiy hthat has not had to deal with this for 30 years. so it will take a it of time to acclimate them and then you will see quotes like the ones from the Dallas Chief where he has done a 180.

 

And he is a republican.

 

that being said before a bunch of you jump up and down and pee and moan about the sheriffs assn, a few things;

 

1. was the bill they supported with us last year a bad bill if it would have been passed? NO. So the proof is in the bills they support nothing else.

 

2. if they make demands we can't live with we'll deal with it. But as the guy who is working with them, they have been very accomidating and easy to deal with.

 

So quit nit picking something and let it alone. Unless you just want to pee down their pant leg and have them change their mind.

 

it came about after over a year of talking with them. getting them to make the move is good. There are some suburban sheriffs that are a bit jittery. let it go and let us work it out at the capitol. If you want to do something how about saying thank you for the support and having a casual conversation over a ber to work things out instead of bemoaning the fact that they ain't like the guys in Texas?

[ilphil]

Sure...let's just look at the headline and ignore the details. Afterall, details don't matter. Right?

 

Sorry, I'm not buying into a virtual "may issue" law where the local sheriff or chief of police ultimately decides if you deserve the privilege of exercising your rights. And that certainly sounded like what they were calling for.

[abolt243]

Here's the Sheriff's Resolution that they passed last year. Nothing here that I can't live with nor that is not already in most CCW laws in the country. NOT a may issue law. They support and endorsed HB 462 last year. In fact, it was amended to satisfy their requests. Go read it and see if you think it reads like a "may issue".

 

Todd is right, we have the endorsement of a LEO Assn in this state. Never been done in recent history. The Provisions outlined below are not out of line. Individual sheriff's have individual ideas. My sheriff thinks every lawabiding citizen should carry. I imagine that Tom Dart has a slightly different PERSONAL opinion. The point is, that in spite of those different PERSONAL opinions, the Association has agreed to support RTC in IL. Don't take what an individual sheriff says in a public meeting as the gospel true stance of any organization.

 

Todd is on top of this issue. One thing that we all need to realize, we will not get the perfect carry bill the first time. MO has had thiers since '03, they work on it every year. IN has had a LTCH since 1935. They propose changes every year. Our first bill that is signed will NOT be what everyone wants, but it will be a place to start.

 

Two things I have learned while hanging around here.

1. Nothing moves quickly in the legislature except the bad stuff.

2. It makes no difference what a bill looks like when first introduced. The words "Delete everything after the enactment clause and replace it with......" are very powerful.

 

********************************************************************************

*********************

 

Illinois Sheriffs' Association

RESOLUTION 2009-1

 

 

Whereas, the Illinois Sheriffs' Association is a statewide organization representing the one hundred and two Sheriffs of Illinois who are constitutional officers who have sworn to uphold the constitution of the United States and the State of Illinois; and

 

Whereas, the Illinois Sheriffs' Association conducted a survey of Sheriffs across Illinois; and,

 

Whereas, ninety percent (90%) of those responding support concealed carry in Illinois if adequate training and safeguards are included; and,

 

Whereas, the Illinois Sheriffs' Association Legislative Committee met on November 19, 2008, and appointed a special committee consisting of Sheriffs from all geographic areas of the state and that committee has met and discussed the specific recommendations for the procedures in obtaining a concealed carry permit; and;

 

Whereas, the committee has formulated their recommendations to the Executive Board of the Illinois Sheriffs' Association and the Executive Board has recommended that this resolution be presented to the full body at our General Session on Tuesday, February 3, 2009, at the Winter Training Conference in Moline, Illinois; and,

 

Whereas, the general provisions of a conceal carry act in Illinois should include the following:

1. Permits should be issued by a state agency to insure consistency in evaluation and screening.

2. Individuals who receive a concealed carry permit should receive adequate training including basic knowledge of firearms, the proper handling of a firearm, live fire exercises for range qualification, instruction and testing on use of force as a citizen including the liability of that use.

3. Applications should be processed by the Sheriff's office including the ability of the Sheriff to articulate specified reasons why the permit should be denied and those objections should be considered by the state before issuing a permit.

4. For the purpose of officer safety, a concealed carry permit should be an identifiable code, background or other means to show that an individual has been issued a permit to carry a concealed firearm on the person's driver's license, FOID card and state identification.

 

Therefore, be it resolved, this 3rd day of February, 2009, that the Illinois Sheriffs' Association, by a majority of those voting, support the right of law abiding citizens to possess and carry a concealed firearm for the purpose of protecting their life and families; and be it further resolved that a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the General Assembly of the State of Illinois.

 

 

 

Sheriff Gib Cady Greg Sullivan

2009 President Executive Director

 

[Chris]

Mr. B video taped last night, I'm still processing and clipping the videos for youtube but here is the one with the sheriff:

 

[Ashdump]

Dad used to have somethiong called "project child safe", sometimes also refered to as "the board of education". I understood well the implications of messing around with dad's guns without his permission.

[lockman]

I know the Sheriff is a good guy, I just think his discussion of the minutia before a group that just organized for the purpose of RTC was a bit premature and alienated a portion of the crowd He did not say all was written in stone so we have plenty of time to make our positions known.

 

The Sheriff is a product of living and working under the current set of rules and we should allow a little re-education time to account for more recent events surrounding the issue.

[race2c]

Glad to see the event went without a hitch and with a such a great turnout. I did tell members of other forums that may have been located in the area about the event, as well as the website.

 

I wish I could do more, but being a college student 9.5 hours away from Mt. Zion, IL, really throws a loop into being able to physically show up.

[Thirdpower]

What kind of opposition was there beyond the sheriff? Anything significant?

[Chris]

What kind of opposition was there beyond the sheriff? Anything significant?

 

None.

[Chris]

Alright, it looks like I'll have the first couple done today but that's it for right now. I'm using a different upload of the original one I posted fyi.

 

 

(The videos may not be ready for about 30 minutes.)