LaShawn Ford has served as an Illinois State Representative since 2007. Like his fellow Chicago Democrat General Assembly members, he has been a fairly consistent vote against gun rights since, well, forever.

But he recently appeared on radio station WLS-AM encouraging residents to arm themselves and get their carry licenses.

What caused Rep. Ford’s sudden, very public change when it comes to guns? Could it be the “come to Jesus” moment this past weekend outside his home that left one man dead? Or was it the fact that his car was riddled with gunfire during the incident?

Regardless of the reason Ford has changed his way of thinking, we welcome it. His constituents deserve the proven personal defense benefits of firearms ownership and concealed carry.

WLS-AM has the story of what happened outside Ford’s home:

After another violent weekend that saw eight people killed and at least 32 others wounded, one lawmaker is taking action by encouraging his constituents to arm themselves. Bullets from a shooting that left a 22-year-old dead in the Austin Neighborhood on the West Side Sunday also found State Rep. La Shawn Ford’s (D-Chicago) car. … “I think about it all the time,” Ford said of the shootings that plague his community. “That’s why I’m working with a concealed carry instructor and we’re going to go through the neighborhood and we’re going to encourage people to get their concealed carry license because it makes no sense for people not to have the protections that they need.”

You’re absolutely right, Rep. Ford. We’ve been saying the same thing since the beginning of time.

Better late than never for you to notice the proven benefits of firearm ownership for good guys and gals. We’re glad to have you on our side.