Officials in three Illinois counties have announced that they will no longer enforce the state’s ban on concealed carry.
They justify their decision by pointing to the Chicago-based 7th Court of Appeals Decision that found the ban unconstitutional in December 2012.
But the Illinois State Police, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, and Illinois Sheriff’s Association all jointly point out that a ban on concealed carry is still the law of the land: “Current Illinois law prohibits the carrying of an immediately accessible or loaded firearm on your person or in your vehicle regardless of whether it is concealed.” Therefore, any “persons in violation [of the ban] are subject to arrest.”
According to UPI, Clinton, Madison, and Randolph counties simply do not agree.
State Attorney Jeremy Walker, with the Randolph County State’s Attorney Office, explained it on June 11: “[We are] announcing responsible, law-abiding citizens will finally be able to exercise their constitutional right to carry concealed weapons in Randolph County.” He said people with a valid, state-issued Firearms Owner Identification Card “will be allowed to carry weapons on their persons and in vehicles.”
Firearms are still banned from churches, schools, and courthouses.
Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins.