The fight between most of Central and Southern Illinois versus those from the Chicago area continues, as the reaction to the mass shooting at a school in Massachusetts followed an appeals court ruling stating Illinois must put a law on the books allowing for concealed-carry.   Those from the northern part of the state are, in many cases, doubling down on their anti-gun stance, while most of the rest of the state subscribes to the theory that guns in the hands of the so-called "good guys" can prevent tragedies like we have seen in recent years.  

Departing Alton Police Chief David Hayes is a supporter of conceal carry, assuming the person carrying the weapon is deemed qualified to do so.

Hayes comments

Chief Hayes is retiring and his last official day on duty was last Friday.  The right to bear arms in Illinois has seen lawmakers from both sides of the aisle come together, with Democrats Dan Beiser of Alton and Tom Holbrook of Belleville  joining with Republicans Dwight Kay of Glen Carbon, and Jim Watson of Jacksonville last June in voting in favor of a bill that fell just a handful of votes short of passage.

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