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Not much of a backbone when it comes to Concealed Carry:

Exerpt from Chi-Trib

In the contest for governor, meanwhile, Gov. Rod Blagojevich said his barrage of attack TV ads against Republican Judy Baar Topinka is only an effort to show voters how the two candidates differ on the issues. But Blagojevich's campaign on Tuesday also used claims made in a Downstate gun-rights newsletter to claim Topinka supports allowing citizens to carry concealed firearms.

In a recent issue of the Gun News, a group member reported that Topinka had said in a conversation that she would sign a concealed-carry bill "as soon as the legislature could get it to her desk."

Campaigning in the southwest suburbs, Topinka said she was opposed to so-called concealed-carry laws and was shocked by the governor's allegation. But when asked if she would veto a concealed-carry bill if it passed the legislature, she said she "probably would, yes."

Later, she said, she was adamantly opposed to concealed-carry laws

"I don't support concealed-carry. Period," she said.

Blagojevich's latest accusation against Topinka came as the Democratic governor received the endorsement of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Handgun Violence.

But Topinka on Tuesday said she has been consistent on the campaign trail in her opposition to laws that would allow some citizens to carry concealed weapons.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-0611010286nov01,1,4355129.story

Now Randy's position:

YES, I support Conceal Carry legislation!!

Well actually, there is only one gun law that I fully support and that is the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. The second amendment says, “… the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” I am strongly opposed to any regulations, state or federal that in anyway restrict or hamper this right. Notice that it says “KEEP and BEAR” arms. This amendment does not put restrictions on how the arm should be kept, nor does it restrict the American Citizen from bearing it as well. Further, it should be noted that “Bearing Arms” means the right to use them. This has nothing to do with hunting. Rather this refers to the right to protect our liberties as mentioned in the Declaration of Independence and throughout the rest of our “Bill of Rights.” How do I know this? The clause just before the one mentioned above, states: “…being necessary to the security of a free State…” (emphasis mine). Using arms for “security” strongly implies the use of arms for self-protection.

An amendment regarding the subjugation of this right by the Illinois State Constitution is needed. According to Article I, Section 22 of the constitution, “Subject only to the police power, the right of the individual citizen to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

I would support an amendment to the Illinois State Constitution to remove the words “Subject only to the police power.” The current language of this clause is disturbingly dangerous, since “police power” could mean almost anything, especially in a time of crisis, when our rights mean the most. We are about one major terrorist attack from become a total police state as it is. The President of the United States is continually pushing for more power to act without the consent of the Congress in times of crisis and the legislature seems intent on giving it to him. This is exactly the sort of thing that our founding fathers warned against. It is this sort of tyranny that we need guard against. This clause in the Illinois State Constitution is a very dangerous provision and must be rescinded. It violates our civil rights to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the United States Constitution.

However, I do support instant background checks as a means of deterring convicted felons and those convicted of violent crimes from readily accessing weapons. These people have given up (vacated) their rights when they committed the crimes. I further support legislation that would prevent the federal, state or any other governmental agency from maintaining any form of arms registration.

As Governor of Illinois, I stand for the people’s right, not only to keep arms, but also to bear arms. I will support the right to carry concealed arms.