Some lawmakers in Illinois want individuals, rather than rules, to decide who gets permission to carry a gun. But it should be the other way around.

Proponents of a "may issue" system argue that the county sheriff, for example, might know things about an applicant that should keep him from carrying a gun, even though the person meets all the legal requirements for doing so.

The trouble is, that places an inordinate amount of power in one person's hands. Maybe the sheriff will be reasonable, or maybe he doesn't like the guy who's applying and rejects his application. Maybe he only wants guns in the hands of his political allies and friends.

With a "shall issue" system, anyone who meets the legal requirements for carrying a gun gets a permit. That's how gun purchases are handled in Illinois, and that's what we should do for concealed carry.