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ICarry.org Announces SECOND CONFIRMED Open Carry Event in Illinois!!!

SAK

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I was in the Bullet Stop today (starting to feel like my second home) www.bulletstopguns.com and www.gunmanjim.com and the owner extended a very nice welcome to us to come out and have an event on his property.

He has a cool military show coming up, Saturday May 22 starting at 10:00 AM. Now, he said we could join him at this show or we could always do another weekend. I figured we may as well take advantage of the extra people that will be there and make it one big event!!!

Joe Franzese beat me to having the first confirmed OC event, but I'm not far behind. This one is now CONFIRMED as I just got off the phone with him. He does not have a problem with open carry at the show.

What: Military firearms, vehicles, uniforms, cool stuff show. OPEN CARRY gathering to support a local cause (blood drive or food drive to be announced)

When: Saturday May 22nd 10:00 AM to unknown

Where: Bullet Stop Gun Shop in Loves Park, IL (basically Rockford)

2100 Harlem Road, Loves Park, IL‎

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=bullet+stop+gun+shop&fb=1&gl=us&hq=bullet+stop+gun+shop&hnear=Illinois&cid=0,0,3359344856606462035&ei=uVLjS46jDYz2Nd231aID&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CBMQnwIwAA



ARE YOU READY FOR SOME OPEN CARRY IN ILLINOIS?!?!?!

For more info and to keep updated check this thread out: http://www.icarry.org/ftopict-3011.html
 

SAK

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Yes, it is a relatively new addition to Illinois' wonderful statutes. Signed last year. HB0182 (Public Act 096-0742)


http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=096-0742&GA=96


(4) Carries or possesses in any vehicle or concealed on or about his person except when on his land or in his own abode, legal dwelling, or fixed place of business, or on the land or in the legal dwelling of another person as an invitee with that person's permission, any pistol, revolver, stun gun or taser or other firearm, except that this subsection (a) (4) does not apply to or affect transportation of weapons that meet one of the following conditions: (i) are broken down in a non-functioning state; or (ii) are not immediately accessible; or (iii) are unloaded and enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container by a person who has been issued a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card; or
We will have written permission from the owner of Bullet Stop and invitation to all safe, responsible, and lawful (able to legally possess a firearm) firearms owners.

It is also ICarry's ongoing policy to notify and work with law enforcement in the area before public events so that there are no surprises, no one is caught off-guard, and if any concerns arise they can be addressed beforehand.
 

SAK

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I spoke to the Winnebago County Sheriff today and also to the Loves Park, IL Police Chief. I will copy/paste my posts from the ICarry.org forum here.

I just got off the phone with Winnebago County (Illinois) sheriff Richard Meyers. Winnebago County is where Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park, and a lot of other cities/towns are located.

Sheriff Meyers has been a very strong advocate for Right to Carry. I've heard him speak a number of times in public saying we need it, that in his decades of law enforcement he has NEVER been worried about a law-abiding person carrying a gun, and things like that. So we're fortunate to have someone who is knowledgeable and practical when it comes to this issue.

I gave him the run-down on the event, all the info and talked about our past events up in Wisconsin. He thanked me for letting him know and said he would inform his officers so that there are no problems and everyone knows about it. I told him we were dedicated to safety, because it's in our best interest to make sure all events are 100% safe. He didn't raise any concerns about it, but he has my number so that he can reach me.

He also said he'd put the date down in his book and perhaps he would be able to stop out and say hi!!!

I think the sheriff's department seems very supportive of the lawful exercise of rights on private property in Illinois (like this open carry event).


Carry on
icon_smile.gif

Chief Puckett from the City of Loves Park returned my call just now. We had a really good conversation. He seemed to be familiar with Right to Carry and even commented that "You'd be surprised how many of our guys support Right to Carry..."
icon_smile.gif


He was extremely professional and stated their department does not take a stance on events like this neither for nor against it. He said he just spoke to the sheriff as well who let him know about it and he appreciated very much that we contacted his office (Chief Puckett's) and also the sheriffs.

He didn't have any concerns right now either but I sent him a link to HB0182 so he could share that with his officers and have exactly what he needs to show them. He also has my contact info in case he has any questions/etc. He wished us luck and the best for a safe/fun event.

I think that's about it. In my email to him I commented how I've been sooo impressed with the dealings we've had with law enforcement so far when it comes to these events. Every one has been positive and encouraging. They're always very appreciative of us letting them know ahead of time and working with them. You gotta figure they've got a lot of people working for them and by letting them know ahead of time all of their officers can be briefed and there's no surprises, no confusion, no misunderstanding. It really seems to do the trick nicely. Perhaps people in other states can use this approach as well. If it can work in Illinois, it can work anywhere!

So, a thank you is called for for the Winnebago County Sheriff Dept. and the Loves Park PD.
 

SAK

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Winnebago county doesn't have any ordinances that you need to worry about and neither does Loves Park, IL. Anything I say is obviously not legal advice since I'm not an attorney, but my facts should be correct.

Out of staters can participate and we would love to see some Wisconsin people there! We won't have to worry about law enforcement as long as everyone is safe and careful and stays on the property of Bullet Stop. The LEOs are not out to get anyone nor have they shown any opposition to the event. It should be a fun, peaceful, and safe time for everyone!
 

theqbn

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I'd love to attend, haven't been to IL yet this year... but I just realized I can't make it... prior engagement. Hope it goes well!
 

Cobra469

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Regardless of us being from out of state wouldn't we need a FOID card? Or does the matter of this being on private property change the FOID card requirement in IL?
 

SAK

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There's no FOID requirement for out-of-staters. If you're not an Illinois resident, they won't even (usually) issue you a FOID card. It's only for citizens of the PRI (Peoples Republik of Illannoy).

When you're on private land with permission of the land owner then you're fine according to the law. Based on our conversations with law enforcement I don't think we'll have any problem.
 

SAK

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You will probably want to have it unloaded and in a container (any soft case or hard case is fine - doesn't matter what type of container you use). It could be a purse, backpack, whatever. Just have the gun unloaded and in something.

The safest bet is to carry it all the way onto the property (grassy area) and then holster up there. That way there's no worry about property lines and such. Law enforcement will be giving us breathing room since it's a gun event at a gun shop, but if you want to be 100% safe and compliant with the administrative statutes :quirky then carry all the way onto the property unloaded and enclosed in a case and then holster up.

We can find a place to store cases for OCers and when it's over you can get your case.
 

Ruby

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I am reading about your open carry event because I am originally from Illinois. I hope it went well. I have resided in Washington state for the past 16 years. Washington is an open carry state. I am new to OC but I am learning from a great group of people here. I just got into guns last year. Had a rifle as a kid, but had no experience with handguns. I was working at a local mall in Dec. 08 when there was a shooting there. I was not anywhere near it, but it made me think about my own personal safety. I have taken some training and I go to the range on a regular basis. I CC almost 100% of the time. CC is legal here with a permit, which I have.I can't OC very much because of my work. I feel sorry for anyone who lives in a state where the law prevents you from adequately protecting yourself. I read here a while back about how Illinois now allows you to CC in your car's console or glove compartment. I thought Great! now the criminals know where to look when they break into your vehicle. I think the entire nation is awaiting the decision on McDonald vs Chicago. I sincerely hope that Illinois law can be changed soon so its residents can legally defend themselves with guns. I would like to see the whole country be able to OC without fear of reprisal. Talk about a drop in the crime rate! Best of luck to all of you!
 

TyGuy

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Do you live in Eastern or Western Washington? I want to move to the Seattle/Tacoma area (or perhaps out near Port Townsend).
 

Ruby

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TyGuy wrote:
Do you live in Eastern or Western Washington? I want to move to the Seattle/Tacoma area (or perhaps out near Port Townsend).
I live in western Washington, east of Seattle. Seattle is probably 20 minutes away on the freeway. Very liberal political atmosphere, unfortunately. Most of the police departments are in the know about OC here and don't harass people who open carry. Some people have had negative encounters with LEOs, but far more have had positive or neutral encounters. I have had neither, as I am brand new to this. I carry concealed because I have my own house cleaning service and I cannot just walk into someone's home with a gun on my hip. I have a gun purse and I conceal in it. We (the group) had a breakfast meeting in Tacoma at a Denny's yesterday morning. Someone in our group set it up in advance to be sure we would be welcome. It went well; people were more curious than scared. No one got up and left because there were people carrying guns openly. I talked with a couple of elderly ladies who were curious; they agreed that crime is more of a problem now than it used to be. When I attend these meetings I do OC. There were about 25 people altogether; the restaurant probably made $250-$300 as most of us ate breakfast. Port Townsend is on the Olympic Peninsula, which is quite a little ways from Seattle. It is more of a retirement destination than anything else. Please be aware that the weather is a big factor here. It rains about 9 months out of the year. It's all of 59 degrees here today, cloudy and overcast. I always say that western Washington people appreciate sunshine more than anyone else because we see so little of it! Social life is difficult as well. Hard to meet people and make friends. It's called the Seattle freeze. On the plus side, it is a very beautiful place to live, probably one of the most scenic in the country. Tons of opportunities for outdoor recreation. I hope this helps some. I would recommend a trip out here first if that is feasible for you.
 

TyGuy

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I've been to Seattle/Port Townsend at leats 6 times over the past few years. I've been there in the Winter, Spring, and Summer. I love it there. I have quite a few friends that live in or near Port Townsend, but more the tech jobs (what I do) are near Seattle, so I would think tha tI would end up there.

Do you live in Everett?

It's a good idea to contact the restaraunt first as you don't want the police called and then escorting you out. I really like OC events in public places because you can educate people to the legality and NECESSITY of OC and CCW.
 

Ruby

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TyGuy wrote:
I've been to Seattle/Port Townsend at leats 6 times over the past few years. I've been there in the Winter, Spring, and Summer. I love it there. I have quite a few friends that live in or near Port Townsend, but more the tech jobs (what I do) are near Seattle, so I would think tha tI would end up there.

Do you live in Everett?

It's a good idea to contact the restaraunt first as you don't want the police called and then escorting you out. I really like OC events in public places because you can educate people to the legality and NECESSITY of OC and CCW.

Good, glad you have been here so you know what the area is like. I live in Renton, which is just south of Bellevue, east side of Lake Washington.

Yes, I agree in checking with management first. We were there for a couple of hours and never did see a LEO come in. As I said, most are familiar with the law concerning OC here in Washington. I am still leery of OC because of my work situation and because I am very new to it. I was leery of CC when I first started doing that, but I am very comfortable with CC now, and rarely go anywhere without my gun, except places where it's not allowed, such as schools, the post office, etc. The people on the forum here in Washington do not require you to OC if you're not comfortable with it. The important thing is that you carry for your own protection in a manner that you are comfortable with. I feel very vulnerable if I don't have my gun with me. I carry a 1911, a Dan Wesson Bobtail Commander .45 ACP in stainless steel, not a light weight gun. I carry it for it's stopping power; I consider it to be my life insurance policy. I never make it obvious that I am carrying a weapon; no one needs to know when I am CC. I think OC is a better deterrent, but we all do what we can. There has been an incident in the Everett area where an OCer was approached by a nutcase who ended up threatening the OCer and even tried to grab his gun. The nut job didn't get it and he finally left but not without some tense moments for the OCer. Just read about it this morning on a thread here. That kind of thing is pretty rare though, thank God. Only someone who is already mentally unstable is going to try something that stupid. I guess he was trying to bait the OCer into drawing his gun. If you are interested, you might want to check out a little book called Washington State Gun Rights and Responsibilities by Dave Workman. Well written and will let you know what the laws are here. Good luck to you in your move here!
 

Ruby

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TyGuy wrote:
I've been to Seattle/Port Townsend at leats 6 times over the past few years. I've been there in the Winter, Spring, and Summer. I love it there. I have quite a few friends that live in or near Port Townsend, but more the tech jobs (what I do) are near Seattle, so I would think tha tI would end up there.

Do you live in Everett?

It's a good idea to contact the restaraunt first as you don't want the police called and then escorting you out. I really like OC events in public places because you can educate people to the legality and NECESSITY of OC and CCW.

Good, glad you have been here so you know what the area is like. I live in Renton, which is just south of Bellevue, east side of Lake Washington.

Yes, I agree in checking with management first. We were there for a couple of hours and never did see a LEO come in. As I said, most are familiar with the law concerning OC here in Washington. I am still leery of OC because of my work situation and because I am very new to it. I was leery of CC when I first started doing that, but I am very comfortable with CC now, and rarely go anywhere without my gun, except places where it's not allowed, such as schools, the post office, etc. The people on the forum here in Washington do not require you to OC if you're not comfortable with it. The important thing is that you carry for your own protection in a manner that you are comfortable with. I feel very vulnerable if I don't have my gun with me. I carry a 1911, a Dan Wesson Bobtail Commander .45 ACP in stainless steel, not a light weight gun. I carry it for it's stopping power; I consider it to be my life insurance policy. I never make it obvious that I am carrying a weapon; no one needs to know when I am CC. I think OC is a better deterrent, but we all do what we can. There has been an incident in the Everett area where an OCer was approached by a nutcase who ended up threatening the OCer and even tried to grab his gun. The nut job didn't get it and he finally left but not without some tense moments for the OCer. Just read about it this morning on a thread here. That kind of thing is pretty rare though, thank God. Only someone who is already mentally unstable is going to try something that stupid. I guess he was trying to bait the OCer into drawing his gun. If you are interested, you might want to check out a little book called Washington State Gun Rights and Responsibilities by Dave Workman. Well written and will let you know what the laws are here. Good luck to you in your move here!
 

Ruby

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If you want to read about the incident I mentioned go to Our Forum, click on True Tales of Self Defense, click on Target Encounter, Everett, WA. It's the second story down.
 

TyGuy

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Link to story?



There seems to be a higher incidence of craziness in Washington. I don't know if it is the mild weather, but it seems like Seattle has a lot of them. That story shows why I think OCers should have a retention holster. It's also not a bad idea to carry a knife on your weak side in case you are wrestling for control of the firearm.
 

Ruby

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TyGuy wrote:
Link to story?



There seems to be a higher incidence of craziness in Washington. I don't know if it is the mild weather, but it seems like Seattle has a lot of them. That story shows why I think OCers should have a retention holster. It's also not a bad idea to carry a knife on your weak side in case you are wrestling for control of the firearm.
Sorry, don't know how to link it. I agree, there is a lot of craziness here; must be all the rain. My holster has a retention strap. I carry cocked and locked and the strap fits where the hammer would be if it were down. I did carry a knife for a while, was advised not to when OCing because here it is considered a concealed weapon, not covered by your CPL. Police usually ignore it, but I don't have any desire to be made and example of. I don't like being without my knife, but don't like the idea of going to jail for it either. I also carry Kimber's pepperspray and a Surefire flashlight with a nasty beveled edge around the light end. I sincerely hope I never have to use any of it. Got to leave, talk with you later. Stay safe!
 
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