A panel of law professors and a state representative met Monday to discuss whether owning a firearm threatens an individual’s personal security.
The School of Law and the southern Illinois chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union sponsored the panel discussion held at 8:30 p.m. Monday in the Lesar Law building.
Cyril Robinson, a retired SIUC law professor, said personal safety is a basis for the development of individuals and communities, and if people feel their safety is threatened, their development is then stunted.
“If you’re not safe, you can’t act in your community,” Robinson said.
William Schroeder, an SIUC law professor, said he had always been against individual handgun ownership, but said his beliefs gradually evolved to the stance that there is nothing wrong with guns. Almost without exception, Schroeder said, every scholar who has looked at the Second Amendment believes it was meant to protect an individual’s right to bear arms.
“That’s really not a very disputable proposition,” Schroeder said.
In Illinois, a person interested in purchasing a gun must obtain a Firearm owner Identification Card through the Illinois State Police. In order to obtain that card, people must be 21 years old or have the consent of a parent or guardian if they are between ages 18 and 21 and be subject to a criminal and mental background check. Illinois is one of two states that does not have a law allowing concealed-carry permits.
Schroeder said the belief that allowing people to carry guns in a concealed manner would result in more violence and crime is just not true.
“The knowledge that someone might have a gun actually reduces the likelihood (that someone will get hurt),” Schroeder said.
State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, said the issue is how to practically administer gun laws on the people. Bradley said the state would not turn into the Wild West if concealed-carry laws are passed and people will have to go through strict training to get the firearms and the necessary permits.
“People that you’re worried about already have guns,” Bradley said.
Madeleine Leroux can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 254.
