Gun and weapons offenses are taken very seriously and are prosecuted as a priority in Illinois. These crimes can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies depending largely on the type of weapon used, whether it was used in the commission of a crime, and your criminal history. They can carry mandatory prison sentences and the inability to possess a firearm ever again.
The umbrella of gun crimes is large and includes charges ranging from unlawful possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, unlawful possession of a weapon by a repeat offender, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and reckless discharge of a firearm to name a few.
Whether you have a valid firearm owner’s identification (FOID) card and a concealed carry license (CCL) is an important consideration. Even if a firearm is never used or discharged, the mere presence of one can lead to devastating legal consequences.
Many of these cases also depend on the protections guaranteed by the 4th Amendment of the United States Constitution and may involve questions of illegal searches and seizures. You must be represented by a trustworthy and effective attorney if charged with a gun or weapons offense in order to protect your rights.