Fairfax, Va. -- Illinois may have finally joined the ranks of every state in the nation by passing a concealed carry law yesterday -- yet many challenges remain. One of the more serious barriers is that residents are being forced to wait even longer for their right to self defense and for their Second Amendment rights to be recognized and upheld.
Despite the legislature's historical vote Tuesday to override Governor Quinn’s veto of the concealed carry law, citizens will be forced to wait another 270 days before being legally allowed to fully exercise their right to defend themselves outside their homes. The Firearm Concealed Carry Act provides the Illinois State Police 180 days to create an application process, and then 90 additional days to process and screen the first round of applications before issuing permits. This nine month delay follows an earlier 210-day lag to create a concealed carry law. The Seventh Circuit struck down Illinois’ concealed carry ban in December of 2012, yet the State of Illinois deliberately procrastinated in crafting the law regulating the public carrying of firearms -- pushing for an additional 30 days on top of the 180 days the court mandated for the law’s creation.
The National Rifle Association has been leading the fight to improve self defense laws in Illinois and we will remain involved in the fight until this issue is settled and the people of Illinois have their rights and freedoms restored.
-NRA-
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than four million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NationalRifleAssociation and on Twitter @NRA.
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