Illinois will begin issuing concealed carry licenses to its gun owners on January 5th of the coming year. The number of prohibitions on where a concealed weapon can be carried reflects the restrictive stance on gun rights that Illinois has taken throughout history. Once you have completed your requisite training and application for a concealed carry license, there will still only be a few places in which you can legally carry a loaded firearm.
Personal Car
Under the current law, Illinois residents that have a FOID card can carry a firearm in their car as long as it is in a case and it is unloaded. Under the new law, a gun owner with a concealed carry license can have a loaded gun within the car. A licensed gun owner can also carry the weapon within a reasonable distance around the vehicle. Finally, with certain exceptions, a loaded gun can be kept inside a locked vehicle when it is parked, regardless of where it is parked.
Public Facilities
The new law is very restrictive when it comes to carrying a gun on public property. Any property that is controlled by a local governmental body or park district is a prohibited area. Any court buildings, or property owned and operated by the executive or legislative branches of the State government, are similarly prohibited. Any event that requires a permit from a municipality is also prohibited.
This prohibition extends to entities that are run with public funds. You are not allowed to carry a concealed weapon on any public transportation vehicle or at any train or bus station that is operated with the help of public funds. No weapons will be allowed on the grounds of detention centers. Libraries, airports, and stadiums where sports games are held are off limits. One is also prohibited from carrying guns anywhere operated by the Cook County Forest Preserve District.
Children
Illinois has gone out of its way to outlaw concealed carry around large groups of children. Accordingly, carrying a firearm on any school grounds, public or private, from day care through university-level, is prohibited. Similarly, guns cannot be carried on public playgrounds, or in libraries, zoos, museums, or amusement parks.
Miscellaneous
No concealed carry is allowed in bars or gambling facilities, two areas commonly associated with vice. Further, a gun cannot be carried anywhere prohibited by federal law. Finally, no gun can be carried in, or locked in a car parked on, a nuclear storage facility property.
Penalties for Violation
Under the new law, if one is otherwise licensed for concealed carry, a first time violation is a Class B misdemeanor, which carries a sentence of no more than six months and/or a fine of $1500. A second violation is a Class A misdemeanor, carrying a sentence of no more than one year and/or a $2500 fine. At the discretion of the Department of State Police, a licensee can have their license suspended for six months after the second violation. However, a licensee will lose their license permanently if convicted three or more times.
An Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you have been arrested for violation of Illinois’ concealed carry law, you need an attorney with the experience and legal education to get the best results. The law is new, and many of the details are unsettled. Contact an Illinois criminal defense attorney for a free consultation.