Community Corner

Oak Forest Residents React to Concealed Carry Passage

Find out what your neighbors are saying about concealed carry on Oak Forest Patch Facebook.

On Tuesday afternoon, Illinois became the last state to legalize the private, licensed carry of concealed firearms with the General Assembly overriding Gov. Pat Quinn's veto before a court-ordered deadline.

From shouts of hallelujah to screams of disbelief, reactions from our readers could not be more polarized. 

Here's a sample of what we've seen on the Oak Forest Patch Facebook page so far:

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  • Bobby P: This is a pretty stupid law.. Now everyones just going to start shooting everyone.. sigh..
  • Loli: Great. Harder to fish out the crazies before they start. Thank you.
  • Nick W: How anyone thinks this is a bad idea blows my mind. This isnt some crazy law illinois is trying out. Illinois was the very last state without conceal carry. 49 other states have conceal carry. Do some research people.
  • Greg S: If You have ever left the state of IL, you are surrounded by people Lawfully Carrying a firearm! I don't ever leave the house without mine
  • Greg C: What people should be outraged about is how Chicago can have 60 people shot on a weekend but have the strictest gun laws, they should have no shootings, but yet they do hmmmm.... now that we can protect ourselves, it will be breaking news "rapist shot" or "carjacking prevented" ohhh wait no it won't liberal media won't say that kinda truth...
  • Dan E: Wow, I'm shocked by the number of people who are brainwashed into thinking concealed carry automatically makes Illinois less safe. If you've traveled to any other state in this country, and made it home alive, then you've just proved concealed carry isn't dangerous
  • Amy N: extremely relieved! It's about time that this passed!! No one should think this is a bad idea - criminals have been illegally carrying for who knows how long - it's about time we can defend ourselves! I think this is going to settle a lot of issues, less crime being #1 as criminals won't know who is carrying and who isn't...
  • Kim S: I can't believe everyone is happy about this law. the thought of knowing someone can just walk down the street with a gun scares the begeebers out of me.. it will now be gang bangers against us regular folk. the thought of me looking like we're on the other person and they decide they want to take your gonna use it on me, that is truly what I am afraid of. as for people owning guns I have no problem with that. my heart goes out to the police force and I pray it doesn't become like the wild wild west.
  • Kathy K: Great idea! No regular person wants to kill or hurt anyone but if it comes down to you or the bad guy you should at least have a way to protect yourself,all the other states have it , at least now the odds will be even!
  • Amanda S: I can't say how thankful I am! It's about time. It's so sad that so many people are that afraid of guns that they don't want the people who know how to use them, and enjoy them on a regular basis, to have them. The smart people carrying are not going to just pull out a gun on a random person. We are knowledgeable...We already do what's right by following the states gun laws. Now it gives the law breakers a reason to be a bit more fearful of committing crimes on the streets. All I can say is that, now I can protect myself and my two small children against anyone who tries to bother us. I still think it's a joke that I'm going to have to pay to carry my gun but the gang banners don't pay a penny!
  • Patti M: Wow, can't believe the overwhelming support on this issue. A problem with guns is not fixed by having more guns!! The benefits outweigh the risks. It's more likely that a person's gun will hurt or injure someone accidentally, rather than in self defense!
  • Jackie R.: Signing up for a class tomorrow!!! Finally, we can protect ourselves...it's our RIGHT!
How do you fell about the legalization of concealed carry? Take our poll above or let us know in the comments.


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