Second Amendment: The New Illinois Concealed Carry Law
In a year’s time, Illinois went from a complete ban on public carrying of firearms to a concealed carry law that’s now being implemented. Here’s a look at the steps an Illinois resident must take to get a concealed carry license and other aspects of this important new law.
On July 9, 2013, after much litigation and political wrangling, Illinois became the last state in the country to allow carrying firearms in public. Prior to the 2013 legislative session, legislators in both chambers from both parties had presented, but failed to pass, a concealed carry law – resulting in Illinois being the only state that completely banned the practice.
Last winter, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit struck down the Illinois law prohibiting concealed carry as unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. The court gave the legislature 180 days to craft a bill permitting individuals to carry firearms outside the home for self-defense.
The negotiations over concealed carry remained a focal point of the 2013 spring legislative session. Numerous versions of the bill were filed and debated. A law was eventually enacted after the General Assembly passed a bill on the final day of the regular spring session and overrode the Governor’s amendatory veto during a special summer session. The Firearm Concealed Carry Act (“the Act”) became effective on July 9, 2013, mere hours before the seventh circuit’s deadline.1
This article is an overview of the new statute and process by which Illinois residents can obtain concealed carry licenses. It also looks at issues that have arisen since the law was passed and at how the legislature may amend it.
(Article by Caitlyn G. McEvoy, The Illinois Bar Journal)