The last holdout on allowing the public possession of concealed guns, Illinois joined the rest of the nation Tuesday as lawmakers raced to beat a federal court deadline in adopting a carry law over Gov. Pat Quinn's objections.
Massive majorities in the House and Senate voted to override changes the Democratic governor made just a week ago in an amendatory veto.
Some lawmakers feared failure to pass something would mean virtually unregulated weapons in Chicago, which has endured severe gun violence in recent months — including more than 70 shootings, at least 12 of them fatal, during the Independence Day weekend.
"This is a historic, significant day for law-abiding gun owners," said Rep. Brandon Phelps, a southern Illinois Democrat who, in 10 years in the House, has continued work on concealed carry begun by his uncle, ex-Rep. David Phelps, who began serving in the mid-1980s. "They finally get to exercise their Second Amendment rights."
For one thing, carrying concealed is not protected by the 2nd Amendment. Recent Supreme Court rulings made it clear the 2A only covers guns in the home. At least that's how the law stands now.
For another thing, this new law in Illinois will have absolutely no effect on the violence in Chicago. Almost all of that headline-grabbing activity is gang and drug related. Both perpetrators and victims are involved in drugs and crime.
The law will however make the rest of the state much less safe. Contrary to what the gun-rights fanatics keep saying, more guns means more violence, not less.
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