Reps. Shirkey, Brunner, Crawford, Daley, Denby, Dianda, Durhal, Franz, Geiss, Genetski,

Glardon, Haugh, Haveman, Heise, Howrylak, Jacobsen, Jenkins, Johnson, Kivela, Kowall, LaFontaine, Lauwers, LaVoy, Lori, Lyons, O'Brien, Pagel, Pettalia, Poleski, Price, Rendon, Rogers, Schmidt, Smiley and VerHeulen offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 199.

A resolution to urge the state of Illinois to recognize Michigan concealed pistol license holders as being automatically authorized to carry concealed handguns in Illinois.

Whereas, The Illinois General Assembly recently enacted House Bill 183, the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, authorizing appropriately licensed Illinois residents to carry concealed handguns. Illinois has now joined with the rest of the states in issuing concealed carry licenses to qualified residents, creating an opportunity for citizens throughout the country to preserve their right to self-defense regardless of the state in which they travel; and

Whereas, Illinois's new law provides for a non-resident Illinois concealed carry license if the non-resident's home state's concealed carry license laws are "substantially similar" to Illinois's law. However, all out-of-state residents would still have to apply for a separate non-resident license. To apply for a non-resident license, a Michigan resident, who has already been approved under Michigan's law, would have to meet several additional requirements in the state of Illinois. These requirements include obtaining 16 hours of additional concealed carry firearms training provided by an approved instructor, providing an electronic copy of a valid Michigan concealed carry license, and obtaining an Illinois digital identification card. Finally, non-residents must pay a $300 fee for a five-year license; and

Whereas, Illinois's current non-resident structure is burdensome and unnecessary over-regulation of individuals who have already been vetted through Michigan's robust approval process. Statistics show that Michigan's concealed carry law provides appropriate safety measures to ensure those not qualified to carry concealed pistols do not receive a license. Michigan law requires an applicant to be lawfully able to possess, sell, or purchase a firearm and reflects, via fingerprinting and a thorough background check, whether the applicant has or has not been convicted of felonies or other serious crimes; and

Whereas, As is the case in most reciprocity agreements throughout the nation, Illinois should automatically recognize the existing CPL licenses of Michigan residents in order to enhance safety and avoid duplication of regulation, as Michigan allows Illinois license holders to carry in Michigan. Illinois is currently the only state in the Great Lakes region that does not grant reciprocity to Michigan residents; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That, in the spirit of cooperation and reciprocity, we respectfully urge the state of Illinois to recognize lawful Michigan concealed pistol license holders as being automatically authorized to carry concealed handguns in Illinois; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the Illinois Senate, the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, the Governor of Illinois, the Illinois Attorney General, and the Director of the Illinois State Police.