North Center Concealed Carry Class Stirs Up Controversy

More than 90 people have already responded to an online post that seeks to set up a course in North Center to qualify residents for a concealed carry permit.

EveryBlock user Mike posted on the community forum he’s looking to organize the daylong class taught by two certified National Rifle Association instructors. He says the cost will be $75, the class size is limited to 30 and they plan to do a firing exercise in Lombard.

But based on a recent comment, Mike might have to hold more than one class.

“Philip the class is tentatively set for Saturday March 2nd from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm,” he wrote on EveryBlock. “… Location for the class is in North Center but we are giving that out after individuals register for reasons you already saw here on Everyblock. … We have about 90 people so far interested in the course. Much stronger response than we expected which is great but it will force us into two classes. The first will be Saturday March 2nd and the next will be Saturday April 6th.”

Mike’s hesitancy to reveal the exact location is due to the more than 25 comments he’s already received, some of them negative, giving moral objections and pointing out the legal issues Illinois continues to struggle with.

In December, a U.S. appeals court ruled Illinois' ban on carrying a weapon in public was unconstitutional. Under the 2-1 ruling, the state would have to allow residents to carry weapons.

But the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals gave lawmakers 180 days to "craft a new gun law that will impose reasonable limitations, consistent with the public safety and the Second Amendment as interpreted in this opinion, on the carrying of guns in public," according to the Chicago Tribune. 

And with comments deleted on the forum as the conversation heated, one man’s post against the concealed carry movement—citing how fear could build walls in the neighborhood—sparked one more comment.

“Where can I buy some ‘fear’ so I can spray it on the gangbangers in my area?” asked John Doeski on EveryBlock.

Anyone interested in joining one of Mike’s scheduled classes can email him for more information at info@phxpartners.com. If the Illinois legislature cannot come up with a new gun law within the 180 day timeframe, a permit may not be needed to carry a concealed weapon. 

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