GunsIllinois expected to change law to allow carrying concealed guns
Illinois is the last state in the union that has a complete ban on carrying concealed weapons. Judge Richard Posner of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the current ban on concealed carry is unconstitutional and said some authorization of citizen concealed carry is long overdue.
Last December, a federal panel turned down Illinois’ concealed carry ban, giving state lawmakers until June to pass legislation giving citizens the ability to carry concealed weapons.
In the ruling, Judge Richard Posner of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals decided that rather than a complete ban on concealed carry in the state, Illinois should follow the path other states and reach an agreement between the constitutional right to own guns and public safety.
“One doesn’t have to be a historian to realize that a right to keep and bear arms for personal self-defense in the 18th century could not rationally have been limited to the home,” Posner wrote in his decision, referring to the original drafting of the Constitution and the 1791 ratification of the Second Amendment.
Posner used the example of New York, which has some of the toughest concealed carry laws in the country as a model for lawmakers in the state.
Mywebtimesreports that now, many local leaders and law enforcement officials believe that after years of failed negotiations, Illinois will allow concealed carry at some point this year.
“Clearly, action on this issue must be taken soon,” State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) told Mywebtimes.com. “At the state level, we will forge ahead while keeping an eye toward what federal lawmakers are currently considering (for gun control) in the wake of the recent school shootings. I think previously proposed bills will once again be considered and I expected something will be passed before the end of this (legislative) session in May.”
State Representative Frank Mautino (D-Spring Valley), agrees. “I think a redraft of bill (HB148) previously presented by Rep. (Brandon) Phelps, (D- Harrisburg), will be introduced in the House this week,” Mautino told Mywebtimes.com. “I think chances are good that we’ll vote on it this time around and, in light of recent court decisions, I believe it will pass.”
Illinois is the last state in the union that has a complete ban on carrying concealed weapons. The judges rule that the current ban on concealed carry is unconstitutional and said some authorization of citizen concealed carry is long overdue.
Attorney General Lisa Madigan tried to get another hearing to block the court-ordered timetable, but attorneys for supporters of concealed carry said Madigan has not provided enough evidence to warrant another hearing on the case by the panel of judges.
