CHICAGO (AP) – The leader of the Illinois State Rifle Association is praising a federal court’s decision to strike down a state law that banned carrying concealed weapons and says Illinois could have a new concealed carry law by early next month.

Richard Pearson says a bill has already been written by state Rep. Brandon Phelps of Harrisburg that includes provisions for background checks, field provisions and other issues. He says lawmakers could consider it in January if they wanted to.

Phelps says the appeals court action means “Christmas came early for law-abiding gun owners.”

On Tuesday, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the ban and gave lawmakers 180 days to write a law legalizing concealed carry. Illinois is the only state where carrying concealed weapons is entirely illegal.

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