Concealed carry supporters urged to "take action"

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL -- Saying they're tired of being the only state where carrying a weapon to protect yourself is a felony, backers of
conceal/carry legistation in Illinois gathered in
Fairview Heights Friday evening for a town hall meeting.

A standing room only crowd of over 100 was urged to take action to pass
concealed carry. Among the speakers, St. Clair County Sheriff Merle
Justus who says bad guys have guns, so good guys should too. He says,
"All the 48 states that have it, there haven't been any problems with
it, because they're good law-abiding citizens that get the permit to
carry a gun."

Illinoiscarry.com's Valinda Rowe says it used to be considered a downstate issue, but support is growing statewide saying people in Chicago and the northern counties are wanting to arm themselves for protection.

Rowe says concealed carry efforts should get a boost soon, in a Supreme Court ruling
on Chicago's handgun ban.

She says the key then will be getting Chicago area legislators to back
the idea.