SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois Democrats are concerned that a federal judge has overturned a law banning people with concealed carry licenses from having their guns on public transportation. Plaintiffs argue the 2013 law violates their Second Amendment right of self defense.
U.S. District Judge Iain Johnston said it is unconstitutional for Illinois to prohibit people from carrying firearms on buses and trains if they have the proper concealed carry permit.
U.S. District Judge Iain Johnston said it is unconstitutional for Illinois to prohibit people from carrying firearms on buses and trains if they have the proper concealed carry permit.
Gov. JB Pritzker told reporters at an unrelated event Tuesday that he believes Johnston's ruling is misguided because the law is meant to keep people safe.
"We still believe in the Second Amendment," Pritzker said. "It's part of the constitution. You have rights as a result of the Second Amendment. But there are limitations to that. Just to give one example, the right to bear arms, it's not the right to shoulder fired missile."
While the ruling applied specifically to four plaintiffs, the Illinois State Rifle Association said this is a victory for the broader Second Amendment community across the state. The organization said they are grateful a lawsuit was filed challenging the "unconstitutional ban."
"It's a good start for our members, but it is limited," said ISRA lobbyist Ed Sullivan. "The next steps are to take this through the court systems and see if we have some type of injunction that will enjoin other Second Amendment supporters."
The ruling is also very timely as four people were murdered on a Chicago Blue Line train in Forest Park over the weekend. Sullivan said CTA trains and facilities are a target rich environment for criminals who terrorize innocent victims.
"The violent crime on mass transit, on the CTA, is up 15% over the year from last year," Sullivan said. "So, this just keeps going up and up. Obviously, the courts have said yeah you can't stop the crime. Let people help themselves to protect themselves."
Pritzker said he expects Attorney General Kwame Raoul to appeal the ruling. He also noted that the case could go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
"It will be disappointing if they uphold this," Pritzker said. "But, I'm hopeful that the law that was passed in Illinois a number of years ago that has frankly done a lot to keep people safe will be upheld."
Sullivan said the Illinois State Rifle Association will update their members on their website and by email as the court case moves forward.
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