Death Toll Revised Down to 24 After Monstrous Oklahoma Tornado…100+ Injured…Children Among the Dead…Stunning Pictures…Woman Finds Dog During Interview!

Live BlazeCast at 2 pm ET: Oklahoma Tornado the day after

Government

Gun Rights for the Win: Court Strikes Down Illinois Concealed Carry Ban

Dec. 11, 2012 6:55pm Jason Howerton

Gun Rights Victory: Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Illinois Concealed Carry Ban

(FILE)

CHICAGO (AP) — In a major victory for gun rights advocates, a federal appeals court on Tuesday struck down a ban on carrying concealed weapons in Illinois – the only remaining state where carrying concealed weapons is entirely illegal – and gave lawmakers 180 days to write a law that legalizes it.

In overturning a lower court decision, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the ban was unconstitutional and suggested a law legalizing concealed carry is long overdue in a state where gun advocates had vowed to challenge the ban on every front.

“There is no suggestion that some unique characteristic of criminal activity in Illinois justifies the state’s taking a different approach from the other 49 states,” Judge Richard Posner, who wrote the court’s majority opinion. “If the Illinois approach were demonstrably superior, one would expect at least one or two other states to have emulated it.”

Gun rights advocates were thrilled by the decision. They have long argued that the prohibition violates the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment and what they see as Americans’ right to carry guns for self-defense.

“Christmas came early for law-abiding gun owners,” said state Rep. Brandon Phelps, a Democratic lawmaker from southern Illinois whose proposed legislation approving concealed carry narrowly lost in the Legislature last year. “It’s a mandate.”

Gov. Pat Quinn, who favors strict gun control laws, did not immediately comment on the ruling. In a statement, an aide to Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who is responsible for defending the state’s laws in court, said Madigan’s office would review the ruling before deciding whether to appeal or take other action.

“The court gave 180 days before its decision will be returned to the lower court to be implemented,” Maura Possley, a Madigan spokeswoman, said in a statement. “That time period allows our office to review what legal steps can be taken and enables the legislature to consider whether it wants to take action.”

Richard Pearson, the executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association, said there is no reason why lawmakers cannot pass Phelps’ bill during a weeklong legislative session in January.

“Now that the court has ruled … we will work as soon as possible with legislators to craft a concealed carry bill for the state of Illinois,” he said.

The court did order its ruling stayed to “allow the Illinois legislature to craft a new gun law that will impose reasonable limitations, consistent with the public safety and the Second Amendment as interpreted in this opinion, on the carrying of guns in public,” Posner wrote.

Phelps suggested that the court, in its 2-1 ruling, may have encouraged lawmakers to pass a far less restrictive concealed carry law than the one he proposed last year that was rejected.

“I said on the floor, `A lot of people who voted against this, one of these days you’re going to wish you did, because of all the limitations and the safety precautions we put in this bill, because one of these days the court’s going to rule and you’re not going to like the ruling,” he said. “Today’s the day.”

The appellate panel’s majority ruling, which was replete with historical references, argued that Illinois had not made a strong case that a gun ban was vital to public safety. It also was a signal to state lawmakers and gun-ban activists that the time to argue about the Second Amendment has passed.

“We are disinclined to engage in another round of historical analysis to determine whether eighteenth-century America understood the Second Amendment to include a right to bear guns outside the home,” wrote Posner. “The Supreme Court has decided that the amendment confers a right to bear arms for self-defense, which is as important outside the home as inside.”

But the dissenting judge, Ann Claire Williams, raised questions that could come up in a possible appeal or when lawmakers begin to debate and craft a new law addressing the issue.

After saying that “protecting the safety of its citizens is unquestionably a significant state interest,” Williams wrote, “when firearms are carried outside the home, the safety of a broader range of citizens is at issue. The risk of being injured or killed now extends to strangers, law enforcement personnel, and other private citizens who happen to be in the area.”

Gun rights advocates had been threatening to make Illinois once again the center of the national gun-control debate over the issue. In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court made Chicago’s 28-year-old handgun ban unenforceable, ruling that Americans have the right to have guns in their homes for protection. The city responded by approving alternative methods of restricting who can have guns.

Gun control advocates did not immediately respond to the ruling. But as other states passed concealed carry laws, they had argued that Illinois’ ban was important for their stance in the national debate over gun control.

The country needs “one state people can look to and see it’s still doing the right thing,” Mark Walsh, director of the Illinois Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said last year.

The ruling Monday stems from a lawsuit filed by a former corrections officer, Michael Moore of Champaign, a farmer, Charles Hooks of Percy in southeastern Illinois and the Bellevue, Wash.-based Second Amendment Foundation.

Benghazi, IRS, AP...What's next? Only TheBlaze TV offers the truth from Glenn Beck, Andrew Wilkow, and Real News from TheBlaze. Get instant access and a free trial here.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (94)

RaydocX
Posted on December 12, 2012 at 1:27am
Well regulated does NOT mean BANNED.
Wording can be interpreted that an armed populace keeps the militasin chek.

Monice et al, none of us want you to have a weapon, either… Look at the ‘union supporters’ being violent at protests because they aren’t getting their way… Nobody was doing that after this election…

Those of you on the Left argue so passionately you don’t stop to worry about or be dissuaded by facts.

If ever uncle Sam tries to force you to buy or carry a firearm I will oppose that with you.

Until then, shut up and stop trying to curtail my rights… Rights that ultimately help to protect you, too.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- WarMunger_Al
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 10:57am
  The states are failing in their duties to “regulate” ie train its citizens for militia duty. Every child should be taught firearms safety and handling in the public schools. That is what is intended in well regulated militia. It is the duty, not just the right of all citizens to own and know the proper use of firearms for the common defense. Crime would never have gotten to where it is if the States performed their duties and responsibilities.
  
  Report this comment
dnewton
Posted on December 12, 2012 at 12:35am
So, does this mean that the cops will stop enforcement for 180 days? Will the cops look for other reasons to harass gun owners? Maybe they will impose a $10,000 bond and a 10 year waiting period?
How does a militia get well regulated if you can not practice with or carry your weapon?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- WarMunger_Al
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 10:58am
  They will just write a “may issue” law and then not approve anybody, just like New York City , and Kalifornia.
  
  Report this comment
tyuchic
Posted on December 12, 2012 at 12:20am
’bout time the law-abiding citizens get to carry, too.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- bobdog19006
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 1:46am
  Look past the headlines.
  
  The Illinois legislature is controlled by Democrats with a veto-proof majority. Rahm Emanuel has an out of control gang shooting spree going on and the only way he can deflect blame for the issue is to shriek about evil guns. The City Council has already passed one $25.00 anti-gun tax bill since the election and barely lost a 5 cents per round tax on ammo.
  
  You can own a gun in Chicago, if you have a state issued FOID, register with the city police, pay a $25.00 tax for every gun you own and take a ridiculous “gun safety” course.
  
  What exactly do you think is going to happen in Springfield? I wouldn’t go online and order yourself a nifty looking holster just yet.
  
  Report this comment
- Wolf
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 9:23am
  Right on, BobDog- this is just the beginning of ‘controlled carry’ for Illinoians. Once the NRA and lawmakers get together, there will be more restrictions on who can carry.
  
  Report this comment
Mustanger
Posted on December 12, 2012 at 12:11am
….And how much did you donate to the poor?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
ORACLE12389
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 11:20pm
I just bought a PX4 Storm, and I can’t wait to get my ccw permit, ha ha ha ha eat it Quinn.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Wyerd_001
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 11:09pm
“when firearms are carried outside the home, the safety of a broader range of citizens is at issue. The risk of being injured or killed now extends to strangers, law enforcement personnel, and other private citizens who happen to be in the area.”…..to say this these people must believe that anybody who owns a gun is a negligent, a criminal, or an idiot.

When a governing body hold it’s people in disdain, then we mark the fall of a free republic!

“cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them,”; president Barack Obama

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- EqualForce
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 11:23pm
  Firearms are used far more often by law abiding citizens for personal defense than for the horrible murders committed by deranged criminals. (Although this fact is rarely (if ever) reported by the MSM)
  
  Guns act as “force equalizers” for all men, women, and children enabling defense from stronger, or more able, violent attackers that would otherwise not be possible. Please add this site to the list of those attempting to highlight the defensive use of firearms typically reported by local media:
  
  http://www.equalforce.net
  
  Please excuse that the format of this webpage, it is a blatant rip-off, however for the sake of expedience I thought the content was more important than the format.
  
  Whether you are in agreement or not, please respond to this post and give us your perspective.
  
  Report this comment
- Displacedsoutherner
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 11:39pm
  Well know Lib moron and then US Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney said in Atlanta when the GA concealed carried laws changed to ‘shall issue’ vs ‘may issue’: “Now it’s going to be open season on police officers.”
  
  That’s how they think and how they try to govern, at all costs never let an iota of power slip from the grasp of government.
  
  Report this comment
- 00100111
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 2:30pm
  @Displaced, I had to laugh when she said that. As if she thinks people who want to target police officers are simply waiting for their carry permits. The mind of a liberal, anti-gun, democrat is truly an empty place.
  
  Report this comment
schroeder123
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 11:08pm
Right thing do do. Now I can protect myself and loved ones.

Do not rob me or threaten me with harm.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Keatonc33
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 12:09am
  so you would shoot or pull a gun out if someone threatens to beat you up? Main reason I oppose this law! Guns allow for deadly escalation in otherwise non deadly scenarios.
  
  Report this comment
- SolanumVexus
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 2:10am
  So, Keaton, you’re saying that a human should just take the beating, robbery, or other threats to his life, liberty, or property with a smile? Because guns are bad, evil, ill-intentioned creatures with a will of their own, right? In the hands of a responsible citizen defending his life, liberty, or property a gun can stop a crime. It does not automatically mean that the would-be criminal gets shot. And even if he were to eat a bullet, most states would be just fine with it assuming the threat was present.
  
  Report this comment
- proliance
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 5:56am
  Keaton makes a very important point. Know your state laws concerning how you can defend yourself with a firearm.
  
  There are some states where you have to take a beating. Tennessee has ruled that getting a broken nose is NOT a valid reason to use a firearm to defend yourself. And don’t even think about protecting your property with deadly force.
  
  Know your state law and keep your pride and handgun holstered unless absolutely necessary.
  
  http://www.handgunlaw.us/
  
  Report this comment
- FlatEarther
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 8:48am
  Kinda missed the point guys… In a state where if someone gets punched in face they can shoot you dead, people have to think harder about the decision to punch you in the face.
  
  An armed society is a polite society.
  
  Report this comment
- Wolf
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 9:14am
  “…so you would shoot or pull a gun out if someone threatens to beat you up? Main reason I oppose this law! Guns allow for deadly escalation in otherwise non deadly scenarios….”
  Yes, Keaton- I would. Want to see why?
  Go here: http://gunfreezone.net/wordpress/index.php/2012/11/29/csgvs-ability-to-say-stupid-stuff-is-endless/
  
  Now go back to your mother’s basement and SD&STFU
  
  Report this comment
- RRFlyer
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 9:45am
  I am 68 years old, well passed my physical prime. If I knew I was about to get beat up by a 20 something I would absolutely shoot them to protect my life. Or the lives of anyone I was with for that matter.
  Don’t you dare say no one has ever been killed from a beating
  
  Report this comment
- LakeHartwellSailor
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 11:10am
  @Keatonc33
  
  Yes, I WOULD draw on a person who threatens to “beat me up”…..I cracked skull by virtue of being slammed onto the concrete can be just as deadly. So, if the threat is clear, and I can get to my weapon, you are doggone right I would draw it.
  
  Report this comment
- 00100111
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 2:31pm
  You’re right, Keaton. Getting beaten half to death, putting up no resistance, is far more preferable than defending ones self.
  
  How is it that you have enough electricity in your brain to run your body?
  
  Report this comment
- noneed4govthelp
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 11:49pm
  How are we going to know, how far the attacker, is going to go? Is he just going to beat me up, or kill me?I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.After I’m dead,I will know, if I should have shot him first.
  
  Report this comment
Carlinpa
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 10:58pm
Wow!! what a victory!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Steel
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 9:46pm
Excellent court decision! This means the Chicago hoods and thugs will now be unable to prey upon law-abiding citizens with impunity. How much would you like to bet that when law-abiding gun owners start carrying weapons to defend themselves, Chicago, one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S., after New York and D.C, the crime rates in all categories will plummet there? The facts don’t lie – all the cities who have passed concealed carry laws have shown significant reductions in all crime categories. Maybe folks can walk the streets of Chicago and feel at least they now can defend themselves against the thugs, who, up until now, had the advantage of NOT having to follow the gun laws in Illinois OR Chicago.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
denkat56
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 9:15pm
Why conceal carry out in the open, that should curb crime a little, it’s no fun if the victim can shoot back.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- EqualForce
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 10:24pm
  Thank for spreading the word that firearms are used far more often by law abiding citizens for personal defense than for the horrible murders committed by deranged criminals. (Although this fact is rarely (if ever) reported by the MSM)
  
  Guns act as “force equalizers” for all men, women, and children enabling defense from stronger, or more able, violent attackers that would otherwise not be possible. Please add this site to the list of those attempting to highlight the defensive use of firearms typically reported by local media:
  
  http://www.equalforce.net
  
  Please excuse that the format of this webpage is a blatant rip-off, for the sake of expedience I thought the content was more important than the format.
  
  Whether you are in agreement or not, please respond to this post and give us your perspective.
  
  Report this comment
- oldguy49
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 10:28pm
  i agree…….my mom{85} didn’t…………..i had to explain to her that shootouts in the street were in the movies only{she loves westerns}……………..you want to see how respectful people that carry open can be ………..go to a gun range
  
  Report this comment
- EqualForce
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 10:36pm
  I agree, a well-armed society is typically a polite society.
  
  Report this comment
- Keatonc33
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 12:09am
  well see…
  
  Report this comment
- 00100111
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 2:34pm
  Awww, look at Keaton, just derping around on The Blaze again.
  
  Report this comment
resme
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 8:33pm
Finally some real justice in the zombified courts.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
stoptyranny
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 8:31pm
Just having a law saying you can carry concealed doesn’t mean you’ll be able to. Try getting a concealed carry permit in New Jersey. It’s hard enough to get a permit to buy a handgun. That’s why I moved across the border to Pennsylvania. In PA you get buy a gun on the spot (with a quick background check) and it’s also easy to get a carry permit. 2nd amendment – it’s becoming more important every day.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Eleutheria
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 9:30pm
  In California you can carry concealed, but your weapon must be unloaded.
  
  Report this comment
- Mustanger
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 12:19am
  So in CA, I have a chunk of steel on one pocket, and my blue screamers in the other? Now when confronted, I throw the yellow flag for a 2min delay of crime to load. If I don’t have to shoot I’m breaking the law. BRILLIANT! Count me in!
  
  Report this comment
minpin
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 8:21pm
And while you’re at it get rid of this stupid FOID card business. Really I need to buy some card from the state just to look at a gun in a gun shop? Just another “FEE” not voted for by the public.

I have a dream where a man can walk down Michigan Ave carrying a 9mm and feel good knowing he is within his Constitutional Rights.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- wzanesdad
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 9:34pm
  it’ll get there minpin, check out the NRA website. This kind of thing is happening all over the country. The people are really waking up to the 2nd ammendment. Also, make sure to support politicians that will support open carry or conceal carry.
  
  Report this comment
jmeister8
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 8:15pm
Whew! Its good to know that the mexican drug cartells aren’t the only ones that can carry a concealed weapon. in Chicago. Wow first Chic fillet chicken support and now this… Do I sense the winds of change in the windy city? No it probably means that they love their chicken and they wont let anyone take it away from them.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
progressiveslayer
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 7:52pm
Great now the progressive freaks in Illinois will draft a law that makes it impossible to comply with effectively banning concealed carry.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- HI_Don
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 8:15pm
  right, just like Hawaii where it isn’t illegal to own a gun and it isn’t illeagal to conceal carry, you just can’t do it and if you tried, despite your best attempts to comply you would probably go to jail since they will watch you like a hawk under suspicion you must be a bad guy -you wanted a gun after all. In Hawaii, not only do you have to jump through hoops and paperwork to apply, you have to prove your life is in some kind of serious known jeopardy, and then you have to re-prove it over and over again. So by the time you get some judge to believe you are being threatened, your probably dead. Only the crooks and the cops have guns, which at times is redundant.
  
  Report this comment
oxycontinxx
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 7:41pm
“……………..The country needs “one state people can look to and see it’s still doing the right thing,” Mark Walsh, director of the Illinois Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said last year”……………

one state, doing the right thing………………uh huh…………..check out chicago and see if its representative of illinois……………last time i looked it was shoot em up at the OK corral in ramtown. the mayor is a miserable failure when it comes to shutting down gun violence. i guess doing the right thing DOES NOT always produce the desired results.

.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- turkey13
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 8:08pm
  Al Capone is spinning in his grave. If this was probition days good Al would have been out of business. Hw would have not known who was armed and who was.We have very little murders here in Oklahoma since most folks carry concealed or open as was passed and went into law on Nov. 1st. Remember the young single 18 yr old mother who shoot & killed a nut that was breaking in her home anout 4 months ago. She and her baby would have died if not for her gun and knowing how to use it.
  
  Report this comment
- 00100111
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 2:36pm
  Only in the twisted mind of a liberal anti-gunner is what is happening in Chicago the “right thing”.
  
  Report this comment
progressiveslayer
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 7:39pm
I’ll make it simple so even your typical simpleton Obama worshiper can understand,every ‘gun law’ passed since the second amendment is unconstitutional.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Southpaw
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 8:05pm
  I have never received an answer as to how the Bill of Rights preserves certain liberties (freedom of speech, religion, right to assemble, etc.) and NO ONE would say it’s OK for one state to, for example, ban Islam, but the states have this progressive view of the 2nd amendment that says they can limit, in innumerable ways, the right to bear arms, and NO ONE seems to have an answer as to why they are allowed to do this.
  
  You are Right, PS, EVERY law limiting the 2nd amendment is unconstitutional.
  
  Report this comment
- encinom
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 8:10pm
  WELL REGULATED
  
  Written right into the 2nd Amendment.
  
  Report this comment
- DEFCON4
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 8:46pm
  @Encinom, Well-regulated was not the intent of the framers to restrict the right to keep arms.
  A well-regulated militia is a state of preparedness obtained after rigorous and persistent training.
  Alexander Hamilton- Federalist paper no.29.
  
  Report this comment
- DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 9:00pm
  @moron
  It says well regulated militia. And I know you know that because your liberal mentality I am sure has tried to use that as an argument no doubt. A militia is NOT a permanent standing army. It is a raised army of citizens. They bring their own guns. So not only shall the rights of citizens to bear arms not be infringed, but militias are required (necessary) by the constitution. Before you spew talking points mr. lib, that is not the illegal national guard, illegal pigs or illegal armed forces. Those are all permanent standing armies which are forbidden by the constitution. Troll pwnage.
  
  P.S. Regulate means to keep regular. In other words it means to ensure something not restrict it.
  
  Report this comment
- NOTYERHUCKLEBERRY
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 9:21pm
  Pro–You are right. The true essence of the second amendment is that the people be as equally armed as the military. That way an oppressive government would have a hard time controlling the people.
  To me this means that if I had the cash, I could own an atomic weapon.
  
  Report this comment
- rudderfish
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 10:31pm
  @Encinom
  “WELL REGULATED…..Written right into the 2nd Amendment”
  
  So is “Shall not be infringed”.
  
  Report this comment
- 19RANDY59
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 10:52pm
  You Sir are correct!!! The problem is, the constitution is just something that cops, and gov. officials say an oath too. They’re true allegiance is to whomever is paying their feel. In other words you no longer have the right to bare arms, you have permission to do so. Those are two completely different things. Anyone with any honest vision at all, can see that we haven’t been a free people for at least a generation now.
  
  Report this comment
- Keatonc33
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 12:13am
  ok.. all you saying well regulated MILITIA…. does my alcoholic uncle count as a well regulated militia? Cause he owns several guns. and can carry them on his person where ever he chooses to stumble about, thats what our for fathers had in mind?
  
  Report this comment
- DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 5:37am
  @keaton
  So you are saying you want to ban alcohol again? Well at least that isn’t a right so you are moving in the right direction.
  
  Report this comment
- 00100111
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 2:38pm
  Keaton, actually, yes. That must make you foam at the mouth. I love it when you libs squirm.
  
  Report this comment
109.9
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 7:33pm
I thought Dec 21 was supposed to be the end of the world.
With right to work in MI and concealed carry in IL it must have been today.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- M13
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 7:43pm
  They have a long ways to go before anyone will be able to carry a gun in Illinois. The A.G. Lisa Madigan will appeal this as soon as she can.
  
  Report this comment
auntmoxie.com
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 7:31pm
Finally, something in the news to smile about.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
ares338
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 7:27pm
In areas where the gun laws are very strict crime runs rampant. I have a concealed carry license and I am armed everywhere I go that is legal to do so. I never want to use my pistol to defend myself but I will stop any aggression aimed at me or my family without fail. I congratulate Illinois for their victory over stupidity!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- EqualForce
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 10:26pm
  Thank you both for spreading the word that firearms are used far more often by law abiding citizens for personal defense than for the horrible murders committed by deranged criminals. (Although this fact is rarely (if ever) reported by the MSM)
  
  Guns act as “force equalizers” for all men, women, and children enabling defense from stronger, or more able, violent attackers that would otherwise not be possible. Please add this site to the list of those attempting to highlight the defensive use of firearms typically reported by local media:
  
  http://www.equalforce.net
  
  Please excuse that the format of this webpage is a blatant rip-off, for the sake of expedience I thought the content was more important than the format.
  
  Whether you are in agreement or not, please respond to this post and give us your perspective.
  
  Report this comment
Excomunicatedmarine
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 7:19pm
Idealism is blinding. Reality is rough. Once again, do you expect a violent criminal to care if carrying a gun is legal ? Biggest black market around is selling unregistered weapons to criminals and good folks who are deniedby the various states …..all the ways that the anti weapons politicians try to make acquiring weapons harder are only going to make that black market niche bigger. Makes me wonder if they have some kinda black market stock (gain).

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- encinom
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 8:34pm
  No its the lax gun laws and the law ignoring gun shows that supply the black market.
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 8:51pm
  Encinomom
  Racist. I get my regulators from the white market thank you very much. And if your read further, the well regulated part was followed by militia. Do you need a union reader too? Pay your fair share of dues before you start to cry again.
  
  Report this comment
- drs1969
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 9:56pm
  You’re right. The black market stock is a dependant society who can’t take care of themselves and have to go begging to our Communist overlords for protection. There are now more criminals being killed in self-defense than on death row. The gov. quit protecting the taxpayer decades ago. Now, it’s just the criminals, who sit on death row for 20 years. Stand Your Ground laws are there for a reason!
  
  Report this comment
- EqualForce
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 10:44pm
  Firearms are used far more often by law abiding citizens for personal defense than for the horrible murders committed by deranged criminals. (Although this fact is rarely (if ever) reported by the MSM)
  
  Guns act as “force equalizers” for all men, women, and children enabling defense from stronger, or more able, violent attackers that would otherwise not be possible. Please add this site to the list of those attempting to highlight the defensive use of firearms typically reported by local media:
  
  http://www.equalforce.net
  
  Please excuse that the format of this webpage is a blatant rip-off, for the sake of expedience I thought the content was more important than the format.
  
  Whether you are in agreement or not, please respond to this post and give us your perspective.
  
  Report this comment
Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 7:19pm
Great, now all the gang bangers are going to go get conceal carry permits and gang violence will increase……oh, wait, criminals don’t get conceal carry permits, and the ban hasn’t stopped gun violence. I wonder what will happen when the wolves find out the sheep can legally pack?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Fubared
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 7:52pm
  Good juju for a change-
  
  Report this comment
- DEFCON4
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 8:00pm
  Well, my friend, the wolves currently lead the sheep with 2,364 shootings and 487 homicides.
  “Armed sheep” should help bring these numbers down.
  Fight Fire With Fire!!!
  
  Report this comment
chips1
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 7:15pm
Don’t they have a football and basketball team? Oh!!! Oh!!!!!!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Mr.-FreeMarket
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 7:10pm
Chalk one up for the good guys. Guns prevent far more crimes than cause trouble. 98% of the time when a private citizen uses a gun to stop a crime, no shots are fired.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Keatonc33
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 7:06pm
YAY!!! more unconcealed guns in chicago! good job!!!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- All Pro
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 7:44pm
  “An armed society is a polite society.” Robert A. Heinlein
  “Gun control is using both hands” Ron Paul
  “Gun control is hitting your target” My Marine Corp DI
  
  Report this comment
- M13
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 7:46pm
  Who said anything about unconcealed guns?
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 7:51pm
  Lil Keatie-
  Did you just not read the story or intro? As you have noted your thoughts and preferences on drugs, don’t try to buy a firearm from a shop. It would be nice to see you relegated to unconcealed so peeps could ridicule your pink grips; if you ever owned and carried of course. Find a land shark and sue the crap out of the community college taking your mom’s money for zip, zilch, nada on the return.
  
  Report this comment
- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 8:35pm
  @All Pro
  another great one
  “All you have to do is follow three simple rules. One: Never underestimate your opponent. Expect the unexpected. Two: Take it outside. Never start anything inside the bar unless it’s absolutely necessary. And three: Be nice until it’s time to not be nice.” – Roadhouse
  
  Report this comment
- marine249
  Posted on December 11, 2012 at 9:45pm
  @ALL PRO
  In the old Marine Corp my DI would not have said,
  {Gun control is hitting your target.}
  He would have said rifle control is hitting the target.
  But on the other hand, he may have said. Hitting the
  target with you gun is good gun control.
  
  Report this comment
- NYLOTTOMAN1990
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 8:15am
  Just remember this when you’re being robbed or beaten………… 9MM is faster than 911.
  
  Report this comment
- NYLOTTOMAN1990
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 8:22am
  Just remember this when you’re being robbed or beaten……..9MM is much faster than 911. The police can not be everywhere at once. Response time is at least 5 minutes in life and death situations. How dead would you be in 5 minutes?
  
  Report this comment
- 00100111
  Posted on December 12, 2012 at 2:43pm
  I’m asking this honestly, Keatie, are you… you know… a “short bus” type person?
  
  Report this comment

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.