State police to offer paper concealed carry applications

SPRINGFIELD — In a quick reversal, the Quinn administration said Tuesday it will begin accepting paper applications for concealed weapon permits beginning in July.
Just days after saying the Illinois State Police would accept only online applications when the signup period for permits begins Jan. 5, officials said they have reached an agreement to offer paper applications.
The switch was announced at a meeting of the General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules after lawmakers and others began complaining last week that some Illinoisans who want to carry loaded weapons in public either don't have access to computers or are unsure of how to use them.
"Many of us are hearing of the hardship that would be imposed on many, many of our constituents," said state Rep. David Leitch, a member of the committee.
The Peoria Republican said he wanted paper applications to be ready to go March 1, but State Police officials said the July 1 date is the soonest they can begin offering a paper alternative to the State Police website.
"As I sit here today, I cannot commit to March 1," said Suzanne Bond, chief legal counsel for the State Police.
"It would be difficult for us to do it at this time," added State Police Chief of Staff Matthew Davis.
The State Police have been scrambling to create a system for permitting, training and regulating the new weapons law since last summer when a federal appeals court ruled that Illinois' ban on carrying concealed weapons was unconstitutional.
An estimated 400,000 are expected to flood the new system in the first year.
Todd Vandermyde, Illinois lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, said the July 1 date is too far away.
"I think they are going to be pushed to do something sooner," Vandermyde said. "It's a sign of progress, but it shows how incompetent they are."
State Sen. Pam Althoff, R-McHenry, asked agency officials to make it clear to applicants that they can sign up on computers at libraries and at some of the hundreds of firearms trainers who are participating in the new concealed carry permitting process.
"We will be happy to bolster our website," Bond said.

http://qctimes.com/news/local/government-and-politics/illinois-state-police-to-offer-paper-concealed-carry-applications/article_9a21fda6-c7c3-55fa-8c7f-05addf420c6f.html