[JURIST] The Illinois Senate [official website] on Friday approved a measure [materials] that permits residents to carry concealed guns. The approval of this bill follows a ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit [official website] that held [JURIST report] that Illinois’ previous concealed carry prohibition was unconstitutional because the ban violated the Second Amendment [text]. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn [official website] has not announced whether he intends to sign the bill into law, but a deadline of June 9 [NYT report] has been established to pass a law permitting the carrying of concealed weapons. If the bill is signed into law, Illinois will join the other 49 states in approving some type of concealed weapon.

The bill is the latest development in the ongoing Second Amendment and gun control debate. In April the US Supreme Court [official website] declined to hear a challenge to a New York state gun law [JURIST report] requiring those who desire to carry a concealed handgun to show they have a special reason before they can obtain a license. In March Utah Governor Gary Herbert vetoed a bill [JURIST report] that would have allowed people to carry an unloaded, concealed gun without a permit. Also in March the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit [official website] ruled [JURIST report] that Maryland can require concealed-carry handgun permit applicants to provide a “good and substantial reason” for wanting to carry a gun outside the home.