Marathon Pundit: Rep. Walsh stands with Illinois gun owners and lauds passage of H.R. 822

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Rep. Walsh stands with Illinois gun owners and lauds passage of H.R. 822

Gun shop, Chillicothe, IL

The National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, which passed the House of Representative today, allows gun owners with state issued conceal-and-carry permits to have those permits recognized in other states. Except Illinois, which does not allow conceal-and-carry.

Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) issued a statement about the bill's passage:

WASHINGTON- Congressman Joe Walsh (IL-8) voted in favor of the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R. 822) that passed in the House of Representatives today. Rep. Walsh has been a vocal advocate for the right to carry a concealed weapon in Illinois – the only state to not permit law-abiding gun owners to carry a firearm.

Walsh stated:

Today's vote brings us one step closer to making Illinois a right-to-carry state and allowing Americans to exercise their Second Amendment rights across state lines. Currently, Illinois is the only state in this nation that denies its citizens the right to keep and bear arms. The vote today shows just how archaic Illinois' gun laws have become and how important it is that they be repealed.

I have been on the frontlines of the Second Amendment debate since I came to Congress in January. In a recent back-and-forth debate that I have had with the Brady Campaign, I have defended the Second Amendment stressing the importance of gun rights and how they are being disregarded, especially in Illinois.

I am pleased with the outcome of today's vote and will always be an outspoken advocate for Second Amendment rights and particularly, a repeal of Illinois laws preventing the right-to-carry.