Sheriff proposes Cook County concealed-carry ordinance

CHICAGO | Cook County's sheriff is proposing a countywide concealed-carry ordinance, saying if state lawmakers don't pass a law by next month as a federal court has ordered, Illinois could turn into the "Wild West."

EDITORIAL: Coats' vote was for less safety

Shame on U.S. Sen. Dan Coats for voting against the improved public safety that expanding background checks prior to gun sales would bring.

Senate blocks expanded gun sale background checks

WASHINGTON | Senate Republicans backed by a small band of rural-state Democrats scuttled the most far-reaching gun control legislation in two decades Wednesday, refusing to tighten background checks on firearms buyers or ban assault weapons.

Interstate gun trafficking summit set for Thursday

GARY | Indiana and Illinois law enforcement officials will meet Thursday in Gary to discuss the flow of guns from Indiana to Chicago's deadly streets.

YOUNG VOICES: Protect 2nd Amendment, but regulate gun sales

As if gun control hasn't always been a hot button issue, recent events have caused this issue to become the center of conversations. The Aurora theater incident, the Sikh temple massacre, the Sandy Hook School shooting and the case of Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher all have made…

GUEST COMMENTARY: It's time to get serious with criminals

Anti-firearms laws fail to reduce violent crime, rape and murder; however, liberals blame firearms for the deed of the criminal.

New tools used to keep pets out of hot cars

Los Angeles Police Officer Jim Cherrette holds a temperature record stick in Los Angeles to demonstrate how hot a closed car can get. Good Samaritans, temperature guns and tougher laws are the newest tools in the campaign to keep animals out of hot cars, where just minutes can mean death. Mo…

New tools used to keep pets out of hot cars

Good Samaritans, temperature guns and tougher laws are the newest tools in the campaign to keep animals out of hot cars, where just minutes can mean death.

MARK KIESLING: Target criminals, not the guns

Ownership of so-called assault weapons is under review by the Illinois Supreme Court.

MARK KIESLING: Gun questions can cut both ways

I wonder sometimes if anyone else sees the split personality in Indiana when it comes to firearms.

GUEST EDITORIALS: Indiana passes hypocritical gun law

The majority of Indiana's lawmakers care a lot more about gun lobbyists — and themselves — than they do about the concerns of mayors, librarians and many Hoosiers.

YOUNG VOICES: Gun rights should be celebrated, not condemned

Utah recently took a huge symbolic step forward by naming the Browning M1911 the state's official gun.

Ill. colleges seek preemptive strike against conceal carry bill

SPRINGFIELD | College officials throughout the state are raising red flags over a push to allow Illinoisans to carry concealed weapons.

GUEST EDITORIALS: Effort to collect online sales taxes a sensible step

The state should closely monitor the impact of the Internet sales tax bill signed by Gov. Pat Quinn. Will it bring in extra sales tax revenue, as hoped, or will it cause some online retailers to cease doing business with affiliates in Illinois?

New lawmakers thrust into guns debate

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | The legislative freshman class may decide the long-fought debate over whether people should be able to carry a gun in Illinois.

Gun laws could be in spotlight in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD | Gun rights supporters think they have momentum on their side this year to allow Illinoisans to carry concealed weapons.

Lawmakers push concealed carry proposals

SPRINGFIELD | After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a handgun ban in Chicago last year, lawmakers in Springfield started off the year by pushing to give people the right to carry concealed firearms in public.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Shooting prompts debate on guns, civil discourse

It is out of a religious, moral, social and political sense that I offer thoughts about the Jan. 8 shooting in Arizona.

BRIAN HOWEY: Our American cousin: political violence

Hoosier U.S. Reps. Shepard Crumpacker and E. Ross Adair were seated on the House floor on March 1, 1954, in the midst of an immigration debate when they were startled by a commotion in the gallery.

Brady: No tax hike

CHICAGO | If chosen to lead the state of Illinois, Bill Brady isn't sure whether he would cut health services expanded by previous governors. He can't specify any sacrifices residents will have to make if the state is going to solve its budget crisis. And he doesn't know who would work in hi…