Joliet 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.

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

• Ray S.: An armed society is a polite society.
  
• Charles C.: Good idea. Now the good law abiding citizens can protect them selfs.
• Larry H.: Its about time
• Julie V.: I hate guns but...I think its a good idea to b able to have a gun to protect yourself from these hoodlums that are shooting innocent people
• Anthony J.: Scared.
• Philip L.: I think the conceal and carry law will reduce crime.
• Sheri S. Dislike!!!
• Marcia J.: Getting like the wild west.
• Jim "tommy Boy" K.: Bad guy sticks up a store I'm in, now I get to shoot him before he shoots someone else. THANK YOU FOR LETTING US PROTECT OURSELVES!!!
• Stephanie S.: I think the crime rate will drop for sure. It'll be good to have people to help out the system.
• Loren P-M: Whoop, whoop! Finally!
• Aprille R.: Maybe just maybe .... those that are criminals will think twice before they attack .... do they have a gun? Probably not because most criminals lack intelligence