Federal Court Shoots Down Illinois Ban on Concealed-Carry Guns

illinois concealed carry ban overturned

Gun groups are rejoicing today after an appeals court shot down Illinois’ law banning the carrying of concealed weapons.

The Sun-Times reports that the federal 7th Circuit Court of Appeals gave state legislators 180 days to write a law allowing the packing of heat.

The court ruled that the right to bear arms, guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution, extends beyond the home.

From the court’s majority opinion:

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. 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. Illinois had to provide us with more than merely a rational basis for believing that its uniquely sweeping ban is justified by an increase in public safety. It has failed to meet this burden.

Read the full decision below: