Concealed Carry Info Workshop Sparks Angry Calls, Emails

The Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce announced on Friday that it's asked to be removed from a list of hosts for an info session on concealed carry hosted by State Rep. Natalie Manley (D-Joliet) after getting calls and emails complaining about the event.

"Concealed Carry: What You Need to Know" is open to business owners and managers and is billed as an information session on Illinois' new concealed carry law and how it impacts businesses. 

The event, scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Monday at Rasmussen College's Joliet/Romeoville campus, has been promoted by the chambers of commerce in Plainfield, Romeoville and Bolingbrook on behalf of Manley, who is a chamber member.

However, some took issue with the event sponsor, the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, a nonprofit that says it "focuses on the importance of handgun violence prevention and handgun control by informing individuals of gun laws." 

"They have assured me that there is no agenda," Manley said, explaining that the group's presentation will be strictly informational pertaining to the new concealed carry law. 

Manley said Friday that the council is just one of the presenters at the event. Brandon Nemec, a Cook County assistant state's attorney in the legislative unit, is also slated to be there to explain the ins and outs of the law. 

Manley said she also hopes to have representatives from the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement, as well as a certified concealed carry instructor, at the event to answer questions.

"There is no agenda," Manley said of the event, which she said she organized after getting questions about how the law works. "It is not a pro- or anti-gun rally. ... It is 100 percent informational — what does the law mean for [businesses] and what are their rights under the law. I have a lot of people that have asked me to do this."

Patch received an email Friday morning accusing the chambers of partnering with "gun grabbers" to host "gun control workshops behind closed doors and on an invitation-only basis."

But according to Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tasha Menard, the chamber was simply promoting a member event.

"Our chamber doesn't take political stances," Menard said, adding that it's against the PACC bylaws to do so. "We have asked to have our name removed as a host," she said. "We will promote it, but we don't take a stance."

Menard posted a notice on the Plainfield chamber's Facebook page Friday after receiving numerous calls and emails about the event.

"The phones have not stopped ringing," she said late Friday morning. She said the Bolingbrook and Romeoville chambers have also received calls.

Bolingbrook chamber Executive Director Michael Carpanzano said he's also received questions about the event.

"This is strictly an education and information session for businesses of all types," he said. "It's about what businesses can and can't do, not what they should or shouldn't do ... At this point, all we're doing is inviting our members to it, but it's open to anyone."