Rep. Monique Davis: “Don’t single out the Black Caucus” to vote for the Concealed Carry Bill

Says HB 148 is 6 votes shy of passing

 

By Chinta Strausberg

 

The controversial Illinois Concealed bill, recently shot down by a 65-31 vote because it failed to muster the 71 requisite votes, is allegedly six votes shy of passage, Rep. Monique D. Davis (D-27th) warned Sunday predicting a successful showdown vote would allow citizens to arm themselves. 

Davis said the resurrection of HB 148 is a real possibility but she doesn’t like the public heat Black Caucus members are getting especially from some black talk radio hosts who are urging the Black Caucus to vote in favor of the controversial bill.

“The Black Caucus has not taken a formal position” on this legislation, she said. However, Davis said it is unfair for critics to apply pressure on them to vote in favor of the bill. If they want to lobby some lawmakers, Davis said, “They should go after the 53 who voted against the bill.” That number included the 19 black lawmakers.

According to Davis, the sponsor, Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg), “will be asking for the reconsideration of the vote. They may do this Wednesday during the special session or more likely in November during the veto session,” warned Davis.

Opponents of the bill, Davis said, should “go after those 53 who against the bill rather than applying pressure on the Black Caucus.”

Most lawmakers from the Chicago and suburban areas are opposed to the legislation given the increased in shootings that continue to plague the area.

Gov. Pat Quinn said he would veto the bill. Reportedly, Illinois along with Wisconsin are the only two states that do not have a semblance of a concealed carry law. However, a similiar bill is now on the governor’s desk making Illinois the lone state that has no conceal gun legislation and sources say the pressure for the 53 who opposed the bill to change their vote is mounting.

After the bill was voted down last May, Illinois Carry and the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) sued the Illinois Attorney General and the director of the Illinois State Police. The Illinois State Rifle Association also sued. It was filed by Mary Shepard, victim of a violent assault.

 Reliable sources say the bill will mostly likely come up during the veto session, the last week of October and the first week of November.

With the killings that are taking place in Chicago, the pro-gun stance in downstate Illinois and pressure from the Illinois Rifle Association, sources said the legislation will most likely pass.

“We have two Illinois’–downstate and urban Illinois,” said the source. “Downstaters would not think of not having guns. They like their guns they use for hunting and leasure. Their children grow up with guns, respect them ae are trained how to use them, but in Chicago those who are doing the shooting don’t even know what a clip is. “They are six votes shy of getting the 71 votes needed to pass this legislation,” said the source who is leaning towards voting in favor of the bill.

Chinta Strausberg is a Journalist of more than 33-years, a former political reporter and a current PCC Network talk show host.