Police not concerned after concealed carry ruling
Updated: December 11, 2012
MAHOMET -- If the ruling stands, that means law enforcement won't be the only people with guns. But that idea doesn't have them worried.
We talked with Mike Metzler, former
director at the Police Training Institute in Champaign.
He says concealed carry is covered
during firearms training at the facility, but that students are told that concealed
carry doesn't apply to gun owners in Illinois.
Metzler is now the police chief in Mahomet.
We asked if today's ruling would
affect how he runs his department. He says it will simply make his officers
more aware, not worried.
They're already taught how to handle
people with guns thanks to the PTI. Metzler also says those who don't own guns
shouldn't be worried either.
"There's no reason to concern.
Anybody that legitimately looks at the studies that have gone in those areas
that have been granted concealed carry permits show that the incidents of
violent crime have actually been reduced," he said.
Although Metzler supports the ruling,
he's hoping legislators write up a strict law.
He says anyone hoping to carry a gun
in public needs to be properly trained. He also wants them to get a background
check.
Before directing at PTI, Metzler
served on the Urbana Police Department.
And he says no matter what the size of
the town, officers shouldn't be worried as long strict rules are put into
place.
