“Illinois, the last state to allow concealed carry, is expected to begin issuing permits in April under a law that goes into effect on the first of the year. Traffic stops already are among the most dangerous activities for officers, and throwing newly legalized handguns into the mix could have tragic consequences, officials said.” Before I amaze you with Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart’s asinine comments [via mychicagotribune.com] about the prospect of American citizens in The Land of Lincoln exercising their natural, civil and Constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms I want to say this: Illinois cops have to deal with concealed carry during traffic stops right now. You know: criminals with guns. How does legal carry by law-abiding residents have any effect on traffic stop cops whatsoever? OK, since you asked . . .
Here’s some deep thinking on the subject by police trainer Kevin McClain, executive director of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board:
McClain said there could be more arrests for disorderly conduct or obstruction for citizens who don’t cooperate.
“Police officers are going to have to show a lot of restraint,” he said. “You might get people that are carrying the weapon legally that get obnoxious with a law enforcement officer.”
Back to Dart:
Dart said he expected more shootings to occur — including those that are ruled justified — once the new law takes effect and more people are carrying handguns.
“I don’t know anybody in this debate who’s going to sit there and say that with more guns out there it’s not going to lend itself to more shootings,” he said.
Bueller? Bueller?