South Central Reporter

Illinois State Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) is hailing the U.S. Supreme Court for their decision to strike down a New York concealed carry law in defense of 2nd Amendment rights.

Jacobs issued a statement reacting to the Justices' decision in a June 23 press release.

"Today’s Supreme Court decision affirms that the right of law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed weapon for personal protection and self-defense is fundamental," Jacobs said in the statement. "Regardless of the party in power, the government should not be infringing on Constitutional rights. In this case, the Supreme Court stepped up in defense of 2nd Amendment Rights. I applaud this decision and look forward to continuing to sponsor legislation to dismantle Illinois’ overly burdensome regulations on law-abiding gun owners.”

It was on June 23 that the Supreme Court struck down the law in the case of New York State Rifle and Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen with a 6-3 decision. The law had required people in New York to prove they had a special need for carrying a gun in public. 

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul stood strong in support of the Prairie State's gun laws, releasing a statement that stressed the SCOTUS decision "does not affect Illinois' concealed-carry or other gun safety measures." Raoul also stressed his office defends the laws Illinois already basin place and would continue to prosecute cases involving gun traffickers and individuals that provide false information on FOID applications. 

Jacobs is seeking a second term in the Illinois House of Representatives but is opposed in the June Republican primary. According to Southern Illinois News, Jacobs prides himself on being a "thoughtful, common-sense conservative" that the voters could be proud of. He also said he'd been working hard to earn the votes of his constituents.