Concealed carry coming to IL - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Concealed carry coming to IL

By: Kate Pabich
kpabich@cbs4qc.com

A big win for gun advocates in Illinois Tuesday. A federal appeals court ruled in favor of the second amendment.

Right now in Illinois you can't carry a concealed gun, but Tuesday a U.S. Court of Appeals ruled Illinois' ban on guns, illegal.

And Illinois residents have mixed opinions.

"Personally I despise guns I think they're made to hurt mangle and kill I think the law should stay exactly the way it is right now I think it's working."

 But others see the decision as a way to finally exercise their rights.

"I think it's about time Illinois joined the rest of the states with the law I think it's our constitutional right to carry firearms, protect ourselves and families."

The ruling gives Illinois lawmakers 6 months to pass a law allowing concealed carry.

Representative Pat Verschoore was a co-sponsor of a bill for concealed guns, he says if new legislation is anything like his bill, Illinois will have some of the strictest requirements to get a gun. He adds that it's been a long time coming for the Land of Lincoln.

"When 49 other states have passed it and we're the only ones, the state of Illinois is the only one that does not allow that. I can't think that 49 states are all wrong and we're all right."

Right or wrong the pressure is on Illinois legislators to get a bill passed, and supporters say it will make the state a safer place.

"I think it will cause less danger because people aren't going to mess with someone if they don't know if they're carrying a gun or not."

Attorney General Lisa Madigan is responsible for defending the states law she says she's reading over the ruling before commenting.