Residents are urged to attend an informational meeting regarding the concealed carry law referendum that is on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Benton Public Property Commissioner Ronnie Baumgarte said the meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. in the Benton Elks Lodge, 167 Industrial Park Road.

Illinois Carry spokesperson Valinda Rowe said the town hall meeting would include a question-and-answer period.

“We would love for people to come to the meeting to address their concerns about the legislation,” Rowe said. “Illinois is one of only two states that has not passed a concealed carry law. A concealed carry law means that qualified, responsible and law-abiding adults would be licensed to carry a concealed firearm for personal defense.

“The purpose of the referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot is to send a message to legislators that it is time to pass a concealed carry law so people can protect themselves,” Rowe said. “The concealed carry law does not imply that everyone would be entitled to carry a concealed weapon. There is a training requirement, a background check and applicants must have no history of felonies, mental illness or substance abuse.”

Rowe said while she is an Illinois resident, she has permits to carry a concealed weapon in 27 states.

“Before I cross the state line into Illinois, I have to stop, unload my weapon and put it in a case before I can enter Illinois because it is a felony to carry a concealed weapon in this state,” she said. “In order to obtain permits to carry a concealed firearm in other states, I went through training, fingerprinting, and a background check.”

She said past experiences prompted her to become vocal about legislation.

“My husband and I were targeted by a mentally ill person who lives near us,” Rowe said. “This man threatened us for years. It was a very frightful time for us. He would kill small animals and leave them on our property. We talked to the sheriff’s department but were told that nothing could be done because he hadn’t hurt anyone. I explained that I would like to be able to carry a concealed weapon in order to protect myself and my family. I was told that I could get an order of protection against the man but, basically, that is just a sheet of paper. Between 3,500 and 4,000 orders of protection are violated per year.”

Rowe said she became aware of the right to carry laws in other states and started networking with others to send a message to legislators.

“I am pretty vocal, which is why I was asked to be a spokesperson for the concealed carry law,” she said. “Without this law, we are rending ourselves as potential victims.”

She said the referendum would not change the existing law in Illinois.

“Illinois needs to look at this and join the rest of the country in passing the concealed carry law,” Rowe said. “Michigan passed a concealed carry law in 2001. At that time Jennifer Granholm was the attorney general and she was against the law. Seven years later, she is now governor. All of her fears have been proven unfounded. The law works great in Michigan and in all of the 48 states in which it has been passed.

“We have not been able to get the leadership in Springfield to move this legislation through the system,” Rowe said. “Tonight’s informational meeting will help residents understand the need to pass the referendum to send a message to Springfield to adopt legislation pertaining to a concealed carry law. I encourage citizens to attend the meeting.”

Baumgarte said residents of 14 counties including Franklin and Jefferson will be asked to answer the question, “Shall the General Assembly enact legislation to permit the carrying of concealed firearms?”

“Illinois and Wisconsin are the only two states that do not have concealed carry laws,” Baumgarte said. “Violent crime goes down in every state that passes a concealed carry law. Police cannot protect each of us 24 hours a day. Let’s all work together for our Second Amendment. We expect Sen. Gary Forby, Rep. John Bradley and other prominent people to attend tonight’s meeting.”