Defense Attorneys For Clients With Firearms Violations In DuPage County

Illinois Gun Laws

• To buy and possess a firearm and ammunition in Illinois, you must have a valid firearm owners’ identification (FOID) card, which is good for 10 years. This process involves a full background check.
• The state imposes a 72-hour waiting period between the purchase of a handgun and a purchaser’s ability to take possession of the weapon.
• The Illinois State Police issue concealed carry licenses (CCL) to residents 21 years and older who complete a 16-hour training course.
• While half the states in the U.S. recognize Illinois’ CCW license, Illinois refuses to recognize CCW licenses that other states issue.
• The state’s child access prevention law prohibits adults from leaving a gun unlocked and accessible to minors under 14 years old.
• Illinois law bars individuals from carrying guns on school grounds or inside government buildings, jails, restaurants that earn 50 percent or more of their revenue from alcohol, public parks, athletic areas, casinos, airports, amusement parks, zoos and museums.
• For private gun sales, sellers must verify the buyer’s FOID card by contacting the state police for approval.
• If a valid FOID cardholder is convicted of a felony, domestic violence, or battery or assault with a firearm, the Illinois State Police will immediately revoke that individual’s license.

Penalties For Gun Crimes In Illinois

Illinois prosecutors may bring either misdemeanor or felony charges for firearm violations, depending on the offense and the circumstances of your criminal case. For example, if police arrest you for unlawful possession of a firearm – such as carrying a gun without a valid FOID card – you may face either a Class A misdemeanor with up to a year in jail, two years of probation, and $2,500 in fines, or a Class 4 felony with up to three years in prison, 30 months of probation, and $25,000 in fines. 

Prosecutors may also pursue a Class 3 felony charge, with up to five years in prison, if they find that a convicted felon possessed a weapon. Prosecutors often increase the severity of charges if the suspect has a prior criminal record.

With 30-plus years of combined experience, our lawyers at Anderson Attorneys & Advisors can conduct a complete investigation and carefully detail the facts of your case to formulate the most effective defense strategy. We will examine whether law enforcement violated your rights at any point during your arrest, including through an illegal search or seizure. 

We can pursue dropped or reduced charges and will exhaust every available option to keep a conviction off your record. If you are an out-of-state resident, we will seek to minimize your court appearances as we pursue a favorable outcome.