Today in St. Charles: Concealed-Carry Before City Council

City officials are scheduled Tuesday night to consider changes that will bring the city’s own ordinances into compliance with the state’s new concealed-carry gun law that was passed in July.

Generally, the new state law will allow any 21-year-old resident with a firearm owner’s identification card and who has state-approved training to apply for a permit to carry a concealed gun. There are restrictions that bar concealed-carry permits based on various types of criminal convictions, including those related to addictions.

The state law prohibits concealed firearms in some areas, such as schools and certain government offices or institutions. It also allows property owners to ban guns from the premises — an option the St. Charles Police Department is encouraging some businesses to consider.

During their discussion of the issue in June, aldermen meeting as the City Council Government Operations Committee appeared to reach agreement that the city’s ordinances should be amended only to comply with the new state concealed-carry law — none appeared willing to consider additional action, such as an assault weapons ban or restriction. Home rule communities like St. Charles had a brief window of opportunity once the state law was adopted to consider such a move. Several aldermen said they had no desire to intrude upon the Second Amendment.

St. Charles City Council begins its formal meeting at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers in the St. Charles Municipal Center, 2 E. Main St. After that meeting, the City Council Government Operations Committee meets, also in the Council Chambers.

The council and its committees typically meet on Mondays, but Labor Day bumped the first meeting this month to Tuesday.

Related:

• July 12, 2013: St. Charles Chief: Police Will Adjust to Concealed Carry