Illinois law banning concealed carry on public transit is unconstitutional, judge rules
A federal judge has ruled that an Illinois law banning the concealed carry of firearms on public transit is unconstitutional
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A federal judge has ruled that an Illinois law banning the concealed carry of firearms on public transit is unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston in Rockford ruled last Friday with four gun owners who filed a lawsuit in 2022 contending that their inability to carry weapons on buses and trains violated their Second Amendment right to self-defense.
Johnston relied on a pivotal U.S. Supreme Court case from 2022 that established that gun laws must be consistent with conditions found in the late 1700s when the Bill of Rights was composed. No regulation on where weapons could be carried existed.
Illinois became the nation's last state to approve concealed carry in 2013. The law established a number of places that were off limits to guns, such as public arenas, hospitals, buses and trains.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul said through a spokesperson that he was reviewing the decision and would likely appeal.
He noted that until there's a final judgment in the matter, gun owners should continue to abide by concealed-carry provisions; Johnston's ruling currently applies only to the four plaintiffs who brought the lawsuit.