SPRINGFIELD — A federal appeals court has struck down Illinois’ ban on carrying a concealed weapon.

On Tuesday, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals said state lawmakers have 180 days to write a new law that legalizes concealed carry.

“The Supreme Court has decided that the amendment confers a right to bear arms for self-defense, which is as important outside the home as inside,” said Judge Richard Posner, who wrote the court’s majority opinion. “The theoretical and empirical evidence (which overall is inconclusive) is consistent with concluding that a right to carry firearms in public may promote self-defense.”