Fortunately for this Chicago-area resident, last summer, Illinois became the last state in the US to approve concealed carry. According to this report, on April 7th, a concealed carry permit holder survived a self defense shooting against armed intruders.
The man, unnamed in the report, was walking around his home in the wee hours of the morning (about 02:40), when he was approached by two men. The pair of intruders emerged from between the CCW’er’s home, and that of his neighbor. Allegedly, one of the males drew a gun on the homeowner. In response, the resident apparently drew his own gun and fired at the threatening males. The report states that the two men turned tail and fled the area. And unlike the last self defense shooting report we shared, no one was harmed.
Chicago Police have decided not to file charges, deeming the situation a self defense shooting.
The concealed carry application process in Illinois is one of the lengthier ones in the US, requiring the applicant to posses a FOID (firearms’ owner identification) card, take 16 hours of training, provide the last 10 years of residency, and provide their fingerprints, in addition to the $150 fee. After the application is initially approved by Illinois State Police, however, they may also be subject to review by county sheriffs, state attorneys, local police, and state attorney general.
Despite the cumbersome process, granting this particular Chicago-area resident the right to carry a concealed firearm allowed him to survive this self defense shooting no worse for the wear (physically speaking, that is). His story is one more of the reasons why I carry as often as possible. Danger may strike at your own home. How prepared are you?
H/T to Carlos Sadovi & Peter Nickeas of Chicago Tribune.
