Illinois Gun Laws Likely to Change in the Near Future – Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer

July 8, 2011

Illinois is now one of a few states that still bans individuals from carry concealed weapons. Currently, Wisconsin and Illinois are the last 2 states with a total ban on carrying concealed weapons but Wisconsin is on the verge of allowing its citizens to carry concealed weapons leaving Illinois as the last state with such strict conceal and carry laws.

gun possession

gun possession

The key to Illinois is its largest city, Chicago. In the rest of Illinois, guns are commonplace. Outside of Chicago, guns are used for hunting and target shooting but in the city itself, guns go hand and hand with violence associated with gangs, robberies, murder and crime. With such a large population in such closed quarters, those trying to fight the conceal and carry laws warn of violence on public transportation, at local festivals, other city activities and during the city’s busy nightlife.

With most of Illinois’ most powerful politicians being Chicago democrats, gun rights activists have their work cut out for them here in Illinois.

Purav Bhatt is a criminal defense attorney serving Cook, Lake, DuPage and Will counties. If you’ve been arrested for a weapons charge, please contact Mr. Bhatt at 773-791-9682 to discuss your matter.

 

New Court Decision allows non-residents to transport guns without FOID card – Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer

April 10, 2011
UUW and FOID

UUW and FOID

Recently, the Illinois Supreme Court has come down with a decision allowing people who are non-residents of Illinois to transport guns in Illinois without a valid Illinois Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID). As long as the non-resident is legally allowed to carry his weapon in his home state and has valid registration showing that, the new Illinois law states that the non-resident may transport that gun in Illinois.

In a unanimous decision last week, the court heard the case of Leonard Holmes, an Indiana resident who was charged with felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon here in Illinois because he didn’t have a Firearm Owners Identification card (FOID) and was not carrying the gun in a case per Illinois law for transporting a firearm.

Holmes had a permit to carry a concealed firearm in Indiana, and the court held that Illinois law does not require a FOID card too. It also ruled the armrest served as a case.

This case can be found at People v. Holmes.

If you or your loved one has been charged with unlawful use of a weapon *(UUW), not having a firearm owners identification card or any other weapons charge, call or contact Purav Bhatt. Mr. Bhatt is a criminal defense attorney practicing in Cook, DuPage, Lake counties and throughout Chicago.