Need guidelines for concealed carry

Need guidelines for concealed carry

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has not ordered the state to pass a concealed carry law by June 9. The 7th has ruled that Illinois’ Unlawful Use of weapons and Aggravated Unlawful use of Weapons statute is unconstitutional as it operates as an effective ban on the exercise of the right to keep and bear arms.

Come June 9, if the state fails to pass any corrective legislation or the U.S. Supreme Court does not place a hold on the 7th Circuit Court’s order, then the specific state statutes that prohibits otherwise legal gun owners from carrying loaded firearms in public will be null and void.

Method of carry, training, fees, background checks and restrictions are left to the state’s authority. Illinois’ primary responsibility is to narrowly craft legislation to address specific public safety hazards, which they must prove in order to restrict your fundamental rights.

When June 9 passes, any Illinois resident that carries is still subject to many other laws, and there are places you cannot carry. You still need a FOID card. Felons and other prohibited persons are still prohibited from possessing firearms. All the criminal activities where a gun can be used still remain illegal, so don’t be too concerned.

If you are worried that come June 9 all the mayhem that the state claims will result, remember that all 49 other states allow some form of carry. All our neighboring states have “shall-issue” permit systems in place. Many states do not even require permits.

Illinois will, one way or another, become the 50th state to allow defensive carry. I urge a statewide uniform set of rules and a shall-issue system if the state requires a license to exercise your rights.

Jack V. Forbes Jr.

Elgin