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Concealed Carry: Madigan Wants Time; Senate Bill Unclear

As Illinois lawmakers continue their negotiations on a concealed-carry bill in Springfield, the state's top attorney is asking for more time to appeal a decision ordering the plan to move forward.

Legal Battle: Extended?

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is asking the U.S. Supreme Court for more time to decide whether to file an appeal on a court order that the state enact a law allowing public possession of firearms.        

Madigan spokeswoman Natalie Bauer says the Democrat filed a petition Monday asking for an extension until June 24.        

That's a 30-day extension from the current May 23 deadline for deciding on an appeal.
       

The 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in December that Illinois' concealed carry ban is unconstitutional. It gave lawmakers until June 9 to fix the problem.        

Bauer says an extension would allow Madigan more time to carefully review a possible appeal drafted by her lawyers.        

Lawmakers are currently arguing over what a concealed carry law would look like.  
 

Legislation: Back to the Drawing Board

Illinois Senate legislation allowing the carrying of concealed weapons appears less permissive than touted but it's scheduled for a rewrite before it's even filed.        

The Associated Press on Monday obtained a copy of Chicago Democratic Sen. Kwame Raoul's bill. He called it a compromise between Chicago lawmakers fighting street violence and downstate moderates who want easier access to guns.        

The legislation would require applicants statewide to be of ``good moral character'' and have ``proper reason'' to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

Gun-rights supporters say those are subjective opinions that go beyond ensuring applicants are properly trained and have no criminal background.

Rikeesha Phelon is a spokeswoman for Senate Democrats. She says the legislation won't be filed and will be rewritten.
 

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