ORLAND PARK, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- If you’re a concealed carry gun holder and “accidentally” take your gun into a place you shouldn’t in one southwest suburb, chances are you won’t face serious consequences.
In Orland Park, the village board unanimously voted to lessen the penalties for those concealed carry gun owners who are caught with their weapons in a location where guns are forbidden - even for CCL holders.
Mayor Keith Pekau said those people should not have their concealed carry rights taken away.
"This ordinance is a good option for CCL carriers that mistakenly carry into the wrong place given the ever-growing list of restricted locations rather than referring an otherwise cooperative CCL carrier who made a mistake to the county and revoke their CCL. It allows us to give a municipal ticket," he said.
Orland Park is going to give police officers the discretion whether to arrest a concealed carry gun holder or give that person a ticket that carries a fine of up to $1,000.
According to Patch, which filed a Freedom of Information Request, in the past five years, there have been just seven arrests in Orland Park for concealed carry violations.
"I fully support our Police Department, our Police Chief and his leadership team," Pekau said in an email to Patch. "They are experts in the development and training of our police officers and have a proven track record second to none. In my opinion, we have the finest police department in the State of Illinois thanks to their leadership as well as the fine officers and support staff that they lead."
Mayor Pekau went on to say, "I am confident that this ordinance will be well handled just like the similar ordinances we have adopted that address Disorderly Conduct, Reckless Conduct, Theft, Retail Theft, Possession of Cannabis, etc., that are enforced regularly by our officers. They deserve my trust and the trust of our residents because it is well-earned."
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