49 states aren't wrong
Illinois is the only state in which law-abiding citizens are completely denied their right to carry firearms for self-defense.
The other 49 states recognize that criminals use weapons to commit crimes regardless of restrictions on firearms. Disarming the good people only allows criminals to flourish.
Law enforcement agencies in IL recognize this and support concealed carry legislation: Illinois Sheriff's Association, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, Chicago Police Lieutenants Association, Chicago Police Sergeants' Association
Firearm bans don't work
Chicago had a complete ban on handguns for nearly 30 years, yet it remained one of the most violent places in our country.
Criminals don't follow the law, and disarming law-abiding citizens does nothing but create more victims.
Easy victim? ... or Armed Citizen?
Criminals know we are defenseless in Illinois, and take advantage of this.
Elsewhere in the country there are between 900,000 and 2,500,000 lawful, defensive gun uses each year preventing violent attacks. The threat of an armed citizen is enough to stop most attackers without even firing a shot.
IL State Police recommend...
The Illinois State Police recommend you defend yourself with keys, a comb, or nail file.
That's just ridiculous!
If combs and keys are effective weapons, why do the police carry guns?
Regardless of your size, age, or strength, a 250 pound rapist can be deterred with a firearm. Can you say the same about a comb?
Wild west? Certainly not!
The right to carry firearms for self defense does not return us to the "wild west," as Chicago's sensationalist media likes to suggest.
49 of 50 states - all but Illinois - allow their law-abiding citizens to carry firearms and there has been no rise in violent crime as a result. If you've traveled outside of Illinois, you've likely dined with, passed on the street, and interacted with many upstanding folks legally carrying concealed firearms.
Law-abiding citizens don't commit violent crime
As gun ownership is on the rise across our country, crime continues to slowly fall. Whether these are related is a complicated question - but one thing is for sure: at worst there is no relation between legal gun ownership and crime, and at best more guns means less crime.
This isn't difficult to imagine. As more law-abiding citizens carry guns, it becomes increasingly dangerous for criminals to assault us. This is a significant deterrent for would-be assailants in other states. Unfortunately in Illinois we aren't so lucky.
Let's make a difference
Until we restore our right to carry firearms for self-defense, we continue to be vulnerable to those who don't honor the law as we do.
In only a few minutes you can help change Illinois for the better:
- Sign the petition.
- Share this site to help get others involved.
- Contact your legislators and tell them to support right to carry legislation.
Purpose
The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects our fundamental right to carry firearms for self defense and other lawful purposes. Every other state in this country protects this right, and the Supreme Court of the United States has ruled in no uncertain terms that states may not infringe upon the right of an individual to keep and bear arms.
This site exists for two simple reasons:
- Educate Illinois citizens about the violation of our 2nd Amendment rights.
- Encourage everyone to help bring about legislation protecting our right to carry.
Restore our rights in Illinois with just a few minutes
Ready to do something about it? In only a few minutes you can help change Illinois for the better with these 3 simple steps:
- Sign the petition.
- Share this site to help get others involved.
- Contact your legislators and tell them to support right to carry legislation.
Be informed...
Are you hesitant, or just want to learn more? Get started on one of the following pages:
- About our right to carry - What exactly does right to carry entail? Learn more about constitutional carry, licensed carry, concealed carry, open carry, and more.
- Myths about violence and legal gun ownership
- The 2nd Amendment - An overview of court rulings, and the likelihood that the Illinois ban on carrying will be struck down.
Firearms aren't for everyone but we have the right to decide
It's important to understand that we do not advocate that everyone arm themselves. There are several reasons to not own firearms:
- Don't like firearms? Don't get one.
- Not sure of your ability or willingness to use one to protect yourself or loved ones? Don't get one.
- Not sure of your ability to be responsible and safe in your handling of a firearm? Don't get one.
- Not confident in your ability to keep a gun under your control and out of the hands of others? Don't get one.
- Don't want to learn the laws? Don't get one.
However, it is important that law-abiding citizens be protected in their freedom to make this choice, rather than the politicians of Illinois making this choice for us.
Think about that next time you're in the store or the theater. Odds are that there are a couple dozen guns in that theater or super market if you come to Indiana and nobody seems to get shot . . . well maybe just the CRIMINALS.
I don't know that allowing RTC will contribute to a decrease in crime, but it most certainly will not contribute to an increase.
i look at it as a right to choose
if a responsible human being wish to carry and own
that's his/her business
i feel the anti gun people wish to take away your right to choose
and remeber this
"If the 2nd ammendment falls"
the rest will fall like a "house of cards"
thank you
churchmouse
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Laws disarming honest citizens proclaim that the government is the master, not the servant, of the people.
Jeffrey R. Snyder
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