Mr. Westcott my hat is off to you. You are a true pioneer in the State of Illinois. I just returnrd from a trip ti Indiana and I have a permit to conceal carry there but I am not trusted in my own State? Actually I can carry in 30 States and I should be able to carry in Illinois. I am like all the other posters a god guy NOT a bad guy. Together we can make this a much safer place to live just by not letting the bad guys know who is armed crime will drop just like it did everywhere else CC is permitted. God bless you and keep up the good fight..

I can't believe we live in a state where basic freedoms are denied. Thank you for supporting America as it was intended!! The right to self defense is one that shouldn't be denied.

We need more politicians like you in office who fight for the rights that are afforded to us. Thank you for your support.

Keep up the good fight. We will stand behind those who fight for our rights to defend ourselves and our families.

Yes thank you so much for taking a stand with us LAW ABIDING gun owners who are vastly out numbered by the armed criminal.We should be free to be able to take our families outside the home and enjoy life while at the same time knowing that we have the tools to defend ourselves.A huge statistic associated with concealed carry is that in way over 90% of armed confrontations,the episode ends without a shot being fired. So please keep plugging away at the laws that prohibit the RIGHT to defend ourselves and our families.What you accomplish in Winnebago Co. will undoubtibly help the rest of the counties in Il. as well as the state of Il. Thank you and may God bless.

Thank you for your support. 48 states can't be wrong. We need to drag Illinois kicking and screaming into the 21st Century.

Mr. Westcott, thank you for supporting my right to defend myself and my family. This state needs more representatives with your honesty and integrity.

Thanks for standing up for citizens rights! As someone who grew up in Illinois and has only recently moved to a state (WA) which issues concealed carry permits, I can honestly say that I feel safer and more at home now that I am able to defend myself. This is a step in the right direction for the safety and security of Illinoisans.

Mr. Wescott: Thank you for your support of the right to carry a weapon for self defense. The rest of the state is watching Winnebago county, and hopefully, the rest of the state will follow your lead in allowing trained, tested and licensed citizens to defend themselves. Thank you very much. Tim

Sir, best of luck in the future election cycles, you sound like a person that is needed on the county board. Also, thank you again for your support of the concealed carry proposal up before the board. It's refreshing to see that a gov't admistration official is seriously considering the benefits of reduced crime and the safesty of the innocent and law-abiding that this would bring about. Not to mention the fact that there have been instances where gun-carrying citizens HAVE SAVED THE LIFE OF A POLICE OFFICER. Which puts to an end to those lies/myths that the police are 'endangered' by law abiding citizens having guns in the streets. I know of not one instance where a CCW licensee has even vaguely pointed a muzzle in the general direction of a LTE, let alone endangered one.

hey mr wescott i was in contact ith mr christain last year when i handed him the second amendment resolituon to get passed in sept 6 im glad he got it passed i aslo left him a message on ccw last year on his office phone i already have a ccw permit from florida we also need a reprococity law for this county we can already leagaly can carry ion this state anyway as long it is unloaded encased with a valid foid card. in a proper carrying case.

Mr. Wescott: I would like to offer my support of your idea of a county-level Concealed Carry permit for law abiding citizens. As someone who has lived and worked in higher-than-average crime areas, I can tell you that Springfield's plethora of feel-good "gun control" laws haven't kept the criminals from getting guns - or carrying them. I am tired of elected officials with 24/7 armed security details (or "Conservator of the Peace" status) telling me I don't have the same right to protect my family as they do. As a 9-1-1 responder, I can tell you that most incidents are over and done before the police ever even find out about them, and I would like the ability to provide for my own security without having to rely on an especially speedy response from a police officer. Good luck in your efforts.

Mr. Wescott, it sounds like you are willing to be the voice of reason. Thank you for supporting the rights of citizens to defend themselves here in America.

Mr. Wescott, Thank you for your support of illinoiscarry.org and fighting against Illinois' infringement of our basic human right to self-defense. I hope that the Metro-East can follow suit in the next few years! Best Regards!

Dear Mr. Wescott: I understand that you support a county resolution that would mandate Winnebago county Sheriff to issue concealed carry licenses to qualified individuals. I am writing in support of that resolution. I could go into great detail regarding the dymanics of carry and patterns and trends from the 48 states that have passed such laws. Let it suffice for now that not one of those states has repealed the provision. Simply, concealed carry reduces crime. Those that obtain the background checks, the training, etc. for the licenses are (according to FL data) more than 300 times less likely to commit a crime with a firearm than the population at large. And remember...licensees necessarily possess firearms! Carry holders are responsible for themselves, their loved ones, and others. Carry is simply a common-sense measure to enhance the safety of our communities. Our communities are populated by an overwhelming majority of competent, law-abiding and well-meaning people. Only a small minority are of a criminal bent. Those of a criminal bent follow no laws prohibiting the carry of firearms. Concealed carry simply works to reduce crime, and it fulfills the right of the people to bear arms, a right that Winnebago county formally supports. Thank you for your time, and support.

I don't live in your district, but what happens anywhere in this state tends to affect the whole state, so we are ALL very lucky and happy to have you fighting for the PEOPLE of your county and the state as well. Good luck in the future.