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* Judge Denies IL Attorney General's Request for More Time in Right to Carry Lawsuit - May 6, 2012 If all goes as expected, oral arguments will be heard in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals by the end of May or first week of June for two lawsuits, Shepard vs Madigan and Moore vs Madigan. Both lawsuits challenge the Illinois ban on carrying firearms for self-defense. The state's request for more time to prepare has been denied, with only a one week extension granted. It seems the court is interested in hearing this case a soon as possible and does not want any unnecessary delays. From Chief Judge Frank Easterbrook: "Order re: Motions to consolidate and extend time. The motions to consolidate are DENIED. Appellees do not need a formal order of consolidation in order to file one brief addressing two appeals. They may file one brief, or two, at their option. The motions for an extension of time is GRANTED, but only until May 9, 2012 (in both appeals). This should allow enough time to prepare a single brief covering the two cases. Appellees previously told the court that the two suits are functionally identical. There is accordingly no need for time beyond the 30-day extension already granted, and this one-week increment. The court’s last regular sitting of the current term is June 8, 2012. If the court were to delay the appellees’ briefs until June 1 or June 11 (the alternate dates appellees propose), that would postpone oral argument until next September, an unnecessary delay. Appellees must file their brief (or briefs) in both cases by May 9, and appellants their reply briefs by May 23. That will permit oral argument the last week of May or the first full week of June." This could mean a ruling from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals being issued as soon as early August. * NRA/Shepard Right-to-Carry Lawsuit Dismissed. Today, U.S. District Judge William Stiehl dismissed Shepard vs Madigan, a lawsuit filed on behalf of Mary Shepard, who is seeking the right to carry a firearm for personal protection. You can read the decision and follow the discussion here on IllinoisCarry.com. Quoting Judge Stiehl: "Accordingly, the Court FINDS that the plaintiffs' claim that the provisions of the State of Illinois' Unlawful Use of a Handgun and Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Handgun statutes do not violate the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution because the bearing of a firearm outside the home is not a core right protected by the Second Amendment. Therefore, the Court GRANTS defendants' motions to dismiss . . . ." Mary, an elderly southern IL woman, filed the lawsuit after being savagely beaten, while working in her church, by a paroled felon. Mary had previously gone through the training and qualification process for two licenses to carry issued by other states and was a Right to Carry license holder at the time she and an 80 year old female co-worker were beaten and left for dead. However, Illinois law bans civilians from carrying a firearm for personal protection and does not recognize licenses from other states. The NRA plans an immediate appeal to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals: Late today, a federal district court in Illinois wrongly ruled that the Second Amendment does not protect a right to protect[sic] firearms for self-protection outside the home. The NRA funded this challenge to Illinois' ban on citizens' ability to carry firearms legally outside their homes and businesses for self-defense, and will also be supporting an immediate appeal to the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals--and to the Supreme Court if necessary. The decision in the case of Shepard v. Madigan misreads the Supreme Court's Second Amendment decisions and will continue to deprive law-abiding Illinoisans of the right to protect themselves effectively against crime on the streets. It also conflicts with a growing body of case law elsewhere in the country, where courts have increasingly recognized that the right to bear arms for self-defense doesn't end at Americans' front doors. "The NRA's legal efforts will not end until the right to carry firearms for self-defense is fully recognized throughout our land," said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox. You can help IllinoisCarry.com in the Fight for Right to Carry! IllinoisCarry will be sponsoring and co-sponsoring very important Right to Carry events in the coming months. Resources are needed for fliers, supplies, location and booth rental fees, etc.. You can be a part of these important events by contributing to the cause with your dollars. Be a part of bringing Right to Carry to Illinois - whether it's in a big way or a small way - it all helps to reach the goal! We can't do it without you!! Support IllinoisCarry.com with Google Checkout or Paypal, or mail a check to the corporate address: Illinois Carry, Inc. 1111 W. North 4th St. Shelbyville, IL 62565 Donations made to IllinoisCarry.com are not tax deductible. We thank each and every one of you for your diligence and commitment to the Second Amendment. Sincerely, Valinda Rowe IllinoisCarry.com spokesperson * Where Does YOUR Candidate for IL State House or Senate Stand? It is important to know where candidates stand on the issue of Right to Carry. Candidates for IL State Representative and State Senate who could be voting on your Right to Carry have been asked that question. If this is an important issue for you, view their answers on IllinoisCarry.com's Candidates Survey. You can find which State Representative district and which State Senate District you live in by going to the IL State Board of Elections website. Before voting for any candidate, be sure to ask them where they stand on your Second Amendment rights! * 2012 IGOLD: Bigger and Better Than Ever Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day has come and gone once again. In 2012, another enormous crowd of gun owners from all across Illinois filled the Prairie Capital Convention Center, the newly-renovated Capitol Avenue, and the Illinois State Capitol building to remind legislators that we demand respect for our rights--and that we aren't going to go away. IGOLD is a true grassroots event, planned, staffed, run and attended by volunteers who travel at their own expense from every part of Illinois; thousands flooded into Springfield in the morning to hear speakers like Dr. Suzanna Hupp and Illinois Carry's own Valinda Rowe explain that there will be no rest for Illinois legislators until Illinois takes its rightful place among American states that respect the individual's right to self-defense. In the afternoon, scenic Capitol Avenue in Springfield filled with the chanting throngs of citizens who strolled to the Capitol amid car horns, thumbs up and shouts of encouragement from bystanders along the route, then made their way into the Capitol with surprising ease. Year after year, IGOLD's crowd is complemented by Capitol staff and security forces for its orderly, polite and patient nature, and it doesn't seem to matter how large the crowd grows. This year was no exception. It's clear that Illinois gun owners are willing to spend their own time and money to defend their rights at the grassroots level in spectactular fashion, and it's clear that they're determined to do it in a peaceful, polite and responsible manner. The unanswered question: how many thousands of gun owners have to show up at the IGOLD and Right-to-Carry Town Hall Meetings and demonstrate in person how level-headed, trustworthy and determined they really are before enough Illinois legislators admit that it's time to acknowledge reality? Concealed carry now! Thinking of volunteering to help put on IGOLD 2013? Click Here! Ready to jump into the Illinois Carry Forums and share your thoughts? Join the discussion: IGOLD 2012! Join the Discussion: First IGOLD! Join the Discussion: Media Coverage of IGOLD 2012! * Chicago Mayor Calls for Statewide Registration of All Handguns! Feb. 9, 2012 In his zeal to keep law-abiding citizens defenseless, Rahm Emmanuel now wants to add to the already burdensome process of owning a handgun - not just for residents in Chicago but for EVERYONE in the entire state of Illinois. Mayors cannot introduce legislation but, in keeping with former mayors of Chicago like Richard "Ban All Guns But Mine" Daley, Emmanuel is expected to send his proposal to Springfield via the representatives and senators from Chicago. Rahm's proposal would require statewide registration of all handguns. To add insult to injury the registration process would include a hefty fee of $65 for EACH handgun! Certificates of registration would have to be renewed every 5 years with a fee of $25 per gun. (for more details go to IllinoisCarry.com) DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN!! We Must Fight Chicago's Insanity!! Be in Springfield on Wed. March 7 for IGOLD 2012 Make Sure Your Voice is Heard! More News >