L-Way Residents React to Concealed Carry Passage

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.

While reactions tended to be quite polarized in some of the south suburban Patch towns, the Lincoln-Way area seems to show an overwhelming support for the law's passage.

Here's a sample of what we've seen on our local Patch Facebook pages so far:

• Bob K. on New Lenox Patch Facebook: Understand this wont slow the gangbanger crime in Chicago, but it might slow down some innocent person in the city getting hurt over a cellphone or pocket money. They'll think twice about that.
• Scott K. on Frankfort Patch Facebook: i would question if lane bryant & other same situations would have a different outcome, & hopefully we are no different that any other state that allows ccw.
• Jim D. on Mokena Patch Facebook: Happy happy happy
• Kate L. on New Lenox Patch Facebook: Considering they (Chicago) had nearly 70 shootings over July 4th weekend...sounds like a necessity. Can't only have the bad guys armed...unfair fight.
• Adam V. on New Lenox Patch Facebook: The only people that ever abide by the law are LAW ABIDING CITIZENS...this law was never helping anyone besides criminals.
• Eileen B. on New Lenox Patch Facebook: Concealed weapons should not be allowed, they should be worn to be seen.
• Jim D. on Frankfort Patch Facebook: Very happy it passed. Can't wait to take safety class and begin to enjoy my constitutional right!!
• Daniel S. on New Lenox Patch Facebook: Seems to me that the criminals are the ones who will be stressing over this. All it will take is for one CCW holder to legally take down some thug and crime rates will drop. It happened in Ohio, Arizona and most notably in New Orleans after citizens were granted the right to carry a gun in their glove box to defend themselves from carjacking. After their law went into effect carjacking dropped by almost 80% I think. Staggering facts.

How do you fell about the legalization of concealed carry? Take our poll above or let us know in the comments.