Politics & Government

Romeoville Reacts to Illinois' New Conceal Carry Law

Romeoville residents sound off new conceal carry law.

Illinois officially legalized private carrying of concealed guns on Tuesday as both houses of the legislature voted convincingly to override Gov. Pat Quinn's veto: the House by 77-31, and the Senate by 41-17.

The new legislation requires a background check and 16 hours of firearms training to purchase a $150 five-year concealed-carry license; as a "shall-issue" law, Illinois State Police must grant the license to anyone with those credentials.

Illinois faced a Tuesday deadline to adopt a concealed-carry provision after a federal appeals court ruled in December 2012 that the state's ban on concealed-carry was unconstitutional.

Related: How Your Reps Voted

Romeoville Patch readers took to our Facebook page to give their reaction to the legislation. Here's just some of what they had to say:

  • Dave S. Absolutely and Chicago needs to lift their gun ban and you will see shootings drop dramatically if they do. The criminals know about the ban in the city and that is why Chicago's crime rate is so terrible. Let the law abiding citizens have a fighting chance against those criminals!
  • David T. About time they pass it!
  • Tina C. Finally!

Now it's your turn. What do you think of Illinois' new Conceal Carry law? Will it make us safer or does it invite more gun violence? Tell us in the comments section below.


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