CHICAGO (AP) – State lawmakers who are bitterly divided whether to legalize the concealed carry of weapons now have 6 months to do it – or they may end up with no say in the matter after a federal appeals court threw out the state’s concealed gun ban last week.

“After that (180-day) period, you and I could strap a rifle on our shoulder and walk down (Chicago’s) Michigan Avenue and there’s nothing anybody could do about it,” said state Rep. Brandon Phelps, a gun rights proponent from Harrisburg whose concealed-carry bill failed last year.

The reason, lawmakers say, is that ignoring the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling carries the consequence of turning Illinois into a “constitutional carry” state. That means all Illinois residents would need to carry a concealed weapon is a valid Illinois Firearms Owners Identification card, without the need for a permit or training.