WYOMING: Senate File 47, a measure allowing the concealed carry of firearms without a permit, cleared the Wyoming state Senate by a convincing 20-10 margin Jan. 24, and now heads to the House for action. If passed, Wyoming would join Arizona, Alaska and Vermont as states that don't require citizens to have permits to carry concealed weapons.
Presently, some 20,000 Wyoming residents have obtained permits for concealed carry.
MICHIGAN: A measure introduced Tuesday, Jan. 25 by Michigan state Sen. Mike Green, R-Mayville, would eliminate the state's present "no-carry zones"— defined as schools and their property, day-care centers, arenas, bars and restaurants where alcohol is the primary revenue source, churches and other places of worship, stadiums with seating for 2,500 or more, hospitals, casinos and college campuses.
"The problem is when you have a gun-free zone, you have people able to use their gun knowing there's no one that can stop them," Sen. Green said in a statement. "The issue is, if it's constitutional to carry outside a building, why wouldn't it be constitutional to carry inside the building?"
ILLINOIS: House Bill 148, The Family and Personal Protection Act, would create uniform training and standards for issuing concealed carry permits in Illinois. Under the measure, county sheriffs would be authorized to issue the permits to citizens with a valid Firearm Owner's Identification card who are at least 21 years of age.
"Illinois is one of only two states without a concealed carry law on the books and it is time that we recognize the rights of responsible gun owners in our state," said the bill's co-sponsor, State Rep. Dan Reitz (D-Steeleville).
