U.S. Appeals Court Strikes Down State Concealed Carry Ban

Illinois' status as the last state to have a ban on carrying concealed weapons has just been thrown out by a federal appeals court.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Chicago, gave the General Assembly 180 days to craft a law legalizing concealed carry.

The full opinion is included as a PDF.

"The Supreme Court has decided that the amendment confers a right to bear arms for self-defense, which is as important outside the home as inside," wrote Judge Richard Posner in today's majority opinion. "The theoretical and empirical evidence (which overall is inconclusive) is consistent with concluding that a right to carry firearms in public may promote self-defense."

The law needs to "impose reasonable limitations, consistent with the public safety and the Second Amendment as interpreted in this opinion, on the carrying of guns in public," Posner said.

Concealed carry has been a contentious issue. Last year in Oak Park, State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford conducted what became a testy exchange between supporters and opponents of concealed carry at the council chambers. Dozens came to the hearing at the council chambers, The Wednesday Journal reported.

Ford had said that he held the hearing in Oak Park in October 2011 and another a month earlier in Austin to gather information.

The Huffington Post reported that Ford suggested after that town hall meeting in Austin that he may support a measure allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons.

In 2011, the bill was defeated in the House, and last spring it didn't make it out of committee. Legislation has not been called for a vote in the Senate, said Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, President Pro Tempore in the Senate.

It will be taken up for certain during the spring session. A number of downstate Democrats are strong backers of concealed carry, said Harmon, a strong gun control advocate.

During the spring session, lawmakers also will be mindful of whether Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan will appeal the ruling to either the entire 7th Circuit or the U.S. Supreme Court, he added.

The Chicago Tribune reported that Madigan, a Democrat, is giving herself time to examine the ruling before deciding whether to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

What the legislation could look like is uncertain.

Tell us what you think. Do you feel comfortable with citizens carrying guns around town? Share your thoughts in comments below.