South West Illinois News

Senate Executive Appointments member Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) recently asked commissioner appointee for the Concealed Carry Licensing Review Board Inger Burnett-Zeigler her thoughts on preventing gun violence.

“In January 2017, you did a commentary in the Chicago Tribune in which you wrote that stricter gun laws and increased policing had been offered as short-term solutions to the violence in Chicago,” Bryant said. “Do you believe these are solutions that could make a difference in decreasing violence in Chicago and the rest of Illinois and if so, how do you plan on acting on that?"

Burnett-Zeigler, a licensed clinical psychologist, told her that she wanted to express in her article “that gun violence is a multifactorial issue” which can also be related to “mental illness and lack of resources in various communities” which is important to consider when assessing gun violence.

“I see from your resume you are extremely qualified,” Bryant said. “No doubt about it. In particular, I think in the field of mental health, in psychology. To that, there's a lot of conversation here in the capital ... whether or not felons can be rehabilitated. If you believe they can be rehabilitated then why should they not be allowed to carry a firearm if they have been fully rehabilitated?”

Burnett-Zeigler admitted that it’s a complex issue.

“That is best addressed on an individual basis, but I can say that when we look at the backgrounds of individuals that have come before the board, we try to consider the possibility of rehabilitation since the time of potentially harmful behaviors have been carried out,” Burnett-Zeigler told Bryant.

Burnett-Zeigler’s appointment was confirmed by the Senate on June 15 on a 55-2 vote.

Her appointment started on Jan. 24, 2020, and she will serve as the Concealed Carry Licensing Review Board’s commissioner until Jan. 8, 2024.