Contact: Richard Pearson of the Illinois State Rifle Association, 815-635-3198, Web: ISRA.org

CHICAGO, Aug. 31 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA):

A female employee of a New Mexico Wal-Mart is lucky to be alive today after suffering a savage beating and stabbing at the hands of her psychotic ex-husband. Authorities believe that, had it not been for the heroic efforts of a shopper at the store, the 46-year-old woman would be dead.

Upon witnessing the attack in progress, a 72-year-old man with a valid New Mexico concealed carry permit open fired on the woman's attacker -- killing him.

The ISRA reminds the citizens of Illinois that such a scenario could not take place in Illinois. Under current Illinois law, it is illegal for law-abiding citizens to carry defensive firearms. Unlike the citizens of more than 3 dozen other states, Illinoisans are required to submit to their attackers -- hoping that someone will summon the police to come to their aid.

"In these uncertain times, one never knows when they'll happen upon a violent crime, or actually become a victim themselves," said ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson. "Therefore, I find it unbelievable that Gov. Blagojevich and Mayor Daley would persist in blocking all attempts to pass life-saving concealed carry legislation in Illinois. At the very least, law-abiding Illinois citizens deserve a fighting chance when up against terrorists, murderers, robbers and rapists."

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The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. For over a century, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners.



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