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Last updated 11:43 am CT September 02, 2010.
Illinois Concealed Carry Advocates Watch Supreme Court
In oral arguments, justices appeared to be leaning toward a ruling that would limit state and local firearms regulations.
The Court struck down Washington, D.C.'s handgun ban in 2008. Because Washington is a federal enclave, the ruling did not apply to state and local bans.
Gun owners in Illinois are closely watching what the high court does next. Some believe the decision could affect concealed carry legislation.
Illinois is one of only two states that does not allow citizens to carry concealed firearms.
"I think if we can get more support from the Chicago area if this is overturned, that's going to help us in the long run with gun rights across the whole state," said Southern Illinois gun owner Dan David.
The Supreme Court heard arguments on McDonald vs. Chicago on the same day the Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee heard testimony on a HB 6249, a concealed carry bill.
“The only people that are going to have guns are the defiant little clowns!" said Rep. Jim Sacia, (R )-Freeport, the Republican spokesman on the committee.
Sacia’s argument is the same as Otis McDonald’s. The Chicago man is the lead plaintiff in the case before the Supreme Court.
"Give me the opportunity to at least make somebody think about something before they come in my house on me," McDonald said.
McDonald is not your typical gun-rights advocate. He doesn't represent the agenda of any national group or organize rallies.
However, McDonald does represent hope for proponents of concealed carry legislation in Illinois.
"Maybe after this morning's oral arguments and the decision of the court, the framework and the environment and the landscape of the gun rights in the state of Illinois could dramatically change in the near future,” Rep. John Bradley, (D)-Marion, who is sponsoring HB 6249, told the committee.
Chicago lawmakers generally oppose concealed carry legislation and prevent it from passing.
David believes that if the Supreme Court strikes down the ban in Chicago, a whole new group of gun owners might join the cause and encourage their representatives to vote differently.
"If the thousands of [firearm owner identification card holders] in Cook County and Chicago can actually purchase a handgun and keep it in their house, they're going to be that much more aggressive about getting concealed carry in the state," David predicted.
The House committee approved the concealed carry bill Tuesday afternoon.
If the bill makes it out of the House, it also has to go through the Illinois Senate. Last year a concealed carry law died in Senate committee.
Governor Pat Quinn, a democrat, opposes concealed carry legislation.
Therefore, Bradley said, a super-majority in both the House and Senate will be required to make the bill a law.
He predicts that lawmakers will be reluctant to take a position on the issue until the Supreme Court issues its decision.
A ruling on McDonald vs. Chicago is not expected for several months.
By Dana Jay
djay@wsiltv.com
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