Illinois is slowly moving toward concealed carry.

Legislation is under way that will allow Illinois residents, 21 and over and in good legal standing, the ability to carry concealed. On the one hand, this is good news for Illinois residents; on the other, of course, Chicago-area politicians are certain to make actually obtaining a permit a thorough hassle.

Governor Pat Quinn has assured the state he will veto any such bill. Typical Illinois politics, though: in theory, the same number of votes required to pass this bill happens to equal a supermajority (veto override) in Illinois. Yeah, there are a large number of Democratic congresspeople supporting the bill. The committee evaluating legislation passed it through to a full vote 12-1.

So will Illinois pass it? Well, like we say, it may not matter. There will be plenty of riders on this to make it painful: no doubt ridiculous fees, lengthy waiting periods, the whole bunch.

Gun opponents are already saying exactly what you expect them to say. Pass this bill, and Illinois will become a horrifying mess of gunshot carnage, and suffer from rampant gun crimes…just like Iowa, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, and the other 44 states that allow concealed carry.

One of the best tricks pro-carry advocates have up their sleeves? Somebody says something like “Gee, I dunno about concealed carry. That don’t sound safe to me.” And the pro-carry guy looks up at the sky and says “Yeah, that’s what they’re all saying…up in Chicago.” And suddenly the first guy snaps his head around and says, “Chicago, eh? All right, where do I sign for this gun thing?”

There is some truth to it. If you were to color code the state… say red for pro-concealed carry and blue for gun-control, the state would be red…except for a tiny smear of blue in the upper-right corner of the state. Chicago. Oak Park. And a couple of minor suburbs around there. Unfortunately, that is the majority of the state’s population…but fortunately, that may not be enough.

Illinois has had many such votes come up over the years. But this one is the closest one yet. It may not pass—actually, Illinois is really good at voting the way you don’t expect, as evidenced by Quinn’s election—but the next one just might.

The Czar of Muscovy

Божію Поспѣшествующею Милостію Мы, Дима Грозный Императоръ и Самодержецъ Всероссiйскiй, цѣсарь Московскiй. The Czar was born in the steppes of Russia in 1267, and was cheated out of total control of all Russia upon the death of Boris Mikhailovich, who replaced Alexander Yaroslav Nevsky in 1263. However, in 1283, our Czar was passed over due to a clerical error and the rule of all Russia went to his second cousin Daniil (Даниил Александрович), whom Czar still resents. As a half-hearted apology, the Czar was awarded control over Muscovy, inconveniently located 5,000 miles away just outside Chicago. He now spends his time seething about this and writing about other stuff that bothers him.