Push For Conceal And Carry In Illinois Gains Steam

By aaroncynic in News on Nov 9, 2012 7:20PM

The push for a conceal and carry law in Illinois gained steam this week as measures supporting a bill passed in 10 counties on Tuesday. The Chicago Tribune reports voters overwhelmingly supported measures on ballots that would allow Illinois residents to carry concealed weapons. Illinois is the only state that does not have such a law. While the initiatives passed cannot override state law, gun-rights advocates hope that the support will send a message to the Illinois Statehouse.

Todd Vandermyde, a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association told a CBS News affiliate “I think it shows the frustration that people have with the lack of advancement on the issue with the legislature.” Steve King, owner of a gun store, told KMOV St. Louis “Southern Illinois wants conceal and carry to be legal.”

While support from gun owners is building for the measure, they still face an uphill legislative battle. Last year, the House defeated a bill for such a measure, and Governor Pat Quinn has stated he would veto any bill legalizing concealed weapons. Colleen Daley, executive director of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence said that despite the push from some counties, the support statewide isn’t exactly overwhelming. She told the Tribune “They were … from areas that always have been supportive of concealed carry, but were not even on the ballot in counties where they would have had more impact."