Local Lawmakers Reveal Their Views on Conceal and Carry Bill

Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Orland Park) and Rep. Reneé Kosel (R-Mokena) voted along with the supermajority of their colleagues in the Illinois General Assembly July 9 to override Gov. Pat Quinn's amendatory veto of new concealed and carry regulations in Illinois.

Hastings, who represents the 19th District, said his override vote was based on allowing residents to protect themselves. “Today is a historic day for Illinois,” Hastings said. “We now join 49 other states in allowing responsible gun owners to protect themselves and their families by exercising their constitutional right to carry a concealed firearm,” said Hastings in a press release.

The Assistant Republican Leader at the Illinois House of Representatives, Kosel tells the voters in the 37th District that the governor "overstepped his authority" when he vetoed the conceal and carry bill that the General Assembly passed.

READ: General Assembly Overrides Veto, Legalizing Concealed Carry in Illinois

"There was an extremely thoughtful compromise" that moved the conceal and carry legislation though the General Assembly. She described the governor's veto as an attempt to write his own legislation.  

A law was approved on June 1 by the state Senate, but Gov. Quinn refused to sign it July 2 without several amendments, including limiting carriers to a single firearm with a limited magazine and banning guns from any establishment serving alcohol.

The override vote returns the law to its original form passed in June, which has fewer restrictions, but does include several prohibitions against carrying in certain places like bars, schools and government buildings.

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