How will the concealed carry law affect Chicago’s violence? - KMSP-TV

A federal appeals court struck down the state's ban on carrying concealed guns, and gave lawmakers six months to figure out how to implement a new law.

Illinois was the last state in the country where carrying concealed weapons was entirely illegal.

Gun rights advocates call it a huge victory. They've long argued that letting law-abiding citizens carry guns would make criminals think twice, and would make people safer.

Gun control advocates say more guns on the streets will make us more dangerous.

So what do you think? What will allowing concealed weapons do to the violence problem in Chicago?

"I think the violence is gonna be there regardless, whether it's concealed carry or not," one man said.

"I feel like it would become more violent, because then guns would become more available to people who don't really need em," a woman told our cameras.

"I wouldn't carry a gun, personally," says another woman. "But if you have to protect yourself, you have to protect yourself."

Another man says, "If everybody was allowed to carry guns, I believe the crime would go down, because the criminal would be afraid of getting shot himself."

This is a hot topic with our friends on Facebook.

Germaine says "crime and random shooting will increase dramatically."

Robert writes that, "it just means justifiable shootings will increase and the prison system will shrink due to the loss of the scum that plague our streets."

Tom says "it'll even the odds."

And Gina says it's a "bad choice. It's gonna be like cowboys and Indians."