Bolingbrook Reacts to Illinois' New Conceal Carry Law

Illinois officially legalized private carrying of concealed guns on Tuesday as both houses of the legislature voted convincingly to override Gov. Pat Quinn's veto: the House by 77-31, and the Senate by 41-17.

The new legislation requires a background check and 16 hours of firearms training to purchase a $150 five-year concealed-carry license; as a "shall-issue" law, Illinois State Police must grant the license to anyone with those credentials.

Illinois faced a Tuesday deadline to adopt a concealed-carry provision after a federal appeals court ruled in December 2012 that the state's ban on concealed-carry was unconstitutional.

Bolingbrook Patch readers took to our Facebook page to give their reaction to the legislation. Here's just some of what they had to say:

• Dan F. Ummmm.....we had 90 people shot in the city over Fourth of July. This is not going to make much of a difference, other than probably make the general citizenry SAFER!
• Craver V. I think it's the right thing to do... statistically and morally. It will take some getting used to, but it will likely have a mitigating and deterring effect on criminal violence.
  Amber K. I think it may be a slight deterrent in the suburbs, but I honestly don't think it is going to help Chicago one damn bit. Way too many gang bangers that just don't give a damn there.
• Maryann G. Gangs have guns and carry guns already, even though it's illegal. The guns are also illegal and are not registered. These laws are not for the gang bangers who are having gang wars. They are already killing each other. You have to look at the areas of Chicago where these crimes are happening. This law is not to eliminate gangs or gang bangers. That is a whole different animal. Next time someone decides to mug a decent citizen walking down the street though, they will think twice.
• Rouemel R. Finally!!! Some of you may remember the first national debate when Florida enacted concealed carry when car jackings was out of control and it was hurting tourism because they would target rental cars. They passed a law and made it possible for out of state residents to apply as well. Car jackings dropped and tourism rebounded. I know that I don't "like" going into the city but will feel safer knowing I can carry concealed.
• Robin M. Ok scenario..... Bad guy wants to rob somebody, but he only sees people that would end up kicking HIS *## so what does he do??? So in other words, if a bad guy has a gun & wants to rob a good guy but the he realized, wait THEY might have a gun..... What does he do??? Come on people... NO BRAINER!!
• Angel I. The only problem is is that criminals will pay no mind to what the lawmakers are doing. They're going to carry them anyway. Who are we kidding. I'm not a gun owner, but I have been robbed at gun point. On a personal note, I wish I was carrying that day. It is scary, & humiliating, to be robbed by four men(three had guns), & made to kneel down while all my cargo was being unloaded from my truck. Thousands of dollars in product gone, & I had to replace by the following day. Sitting there, execution style, was not how I wanted to start my morning. I support, that with proper training & extensive background checks, this concealed carry can help. Besides, in my point of view, as a business owner I didn't have a chance to protect what was mine.
  
  

Now it's your turn. What do you think of Illinois' new Conceal Carry law? Will it make us safer or does it invite more gun violence? Tell us in the comments section below.