Illinois Gun Owners Rally For Conceal And Carry Law

SPRINGFIELD, IL (KTVI)– Thousands of Illinois gun owners rallied in Springfield Wednesday to challenge state lawmakers to pass a Conceal and Carry law.

The debate over Conceal and Carry legislation continues to rage, even though a federal appellate court has ordered the legislature to approve a statute permitting Illinois residents to carry a concealed handgun by the second week in June.

Three to four thousand Illinois gun owners rallied in Springfield before heading to their legislators’ offices to deliver a firm message. Participants marched several blocks to the state capitol.

They want a clear statute passed that permits law abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons.  And leaders say they are prepared to fight restrictions on semi-automatic rifles and magazines.

Leaders of various pro-gun groups say now that they have the federal court decision on their side, it won’t matter if Illinois lawmakers fail to pass a Conceal and Carry law by the court’s June deadline.

They’ll just begin carrying concealed hand guns under the court order.