Legislator's Deal: Olympic Aid For Concealed Weapons

An Illinois legislator is suggesting that Downstate lawmakers should get something in return for helping Chicago vie for the 2016 Olympics -- perhaps a law that allows the carrying of concealed weapons.

Four proposals aimed at allowing the carrying of concealed weapons have been introduced this year, but are unlikely to pass because of opposition by lawmakers from the Chicago area.

Democratic Rep. Brandon Phelps of Harrisburg suggests horse-trading could benefit gun owners and Olympic supporters, who are asking the state provide a $250 million safety net should the games go over budget.

Phelps said that while he has ideas of withholding support for the Olympics, there's not yet a coalition to do so.

Comments

[redraspberry]

I'm all for it. if I have to pay taxes on something i will get absolutely no benefit from then let me legally carry my gun.

[ChiProgressive]

Chicago is already world famous. Ask people when you travel abroad.

We don't want/need the Olympics and we really don't need carry and conceal guns.

For all the Constitutional Amendments to undermine, couldn't the Bush Administration chosen the 2nd?

[mjb5406]

Daley seems the Olympics as he sees everything in the city... as a way to reward those who support him, awarding no-bid contracts left and right. You can bet the aldermen are thinking along the same lines, too. Bringing the Olympics to Chicago will be a lose-lose for the people of the city and the state.

[leo21]

Yeah, that will attract the Olympics. Come to a town where everyone is packin'. I don't see an advantage to the Olympics so I hope the bid loses. I just would rather the state refuse the guarantee on the principal that the taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for any of this.

[mjb5406]

Wow... fancy quid pro quo. We'll help finance the Olympics, a pet project of a mayor who is outspokenly anti-gun, as long as you let us have our concealed weapons law. What's wrong with this picture?

[ChiGuy]

In the end, it won't come to that.
All concerned Illinoisans recognize the benefit to the entire state of having the Olympics here in the Chicago area, and will prevent the gun lobby from holding the games hostage for an agenda that a majority of the voters of this state have already rejected time and again.

[Aldyth]

As someone who lives in northwestern Illnois, I do not see the advantage to the entire state of having the Olympics here. The experience of other cities has not born out that there is a net financial gain for the area, unless the stadiums have paid use beyond the event.

I do not support concealed carry. Anybody who thinks that we are safer if people can walk around with concealed handguns is deluding themselves. If handguns were outlawed, we would probably see a 15 to 25% drop in murder, which has been the experience of other countries.

[mjb5406]

There is NO advantage to the state. Mayor Daley is pretty delusional about how much money the Olympics will bring to the city, and I doubt if they are planning on sharing the wealth... but you can make book he is more than willing to share the liability!

[PerryWhite]

The build-a-stadium tear-down-a-stadium concept is perfect for Daley and his associates.
Twice the number of contracts to give to his friends and contributors.

Criminals in Chicago are already carrying (and using) concealed handguns, it's just law abiding people who can't carry concealed handguns.

[ChiGuy]

The benefit not only comes from the state taxes collected from those that come to the area to be a part of the games, but also in the goodwill and subsequent tourist trade that will be increased as a result.