Overnight trip to Chicago

I'm facing the same situation myself next week. I'm driving a couple hours then taking the train.
1. I want my gun for the drive but then have to leave it in a parking structure for a couple of nights.
2. Take it with me on the train and then into Chicago discreetly?

I'm in a quandary over what to do.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Two rules to live by don't piss off the company you work for and don't piss off the coppers, especially out of state. Nobody needs that kind of attention. Don't go anywhere you shouldn't be in Chicago or anywhere else, be attentive to your surroundings and your odds are very good you'll be fine.

Don't carry, go to your hotel and stay inside. Next day, get the heck out of there and never go back...not worth the risk of being arrested and losing your 2nd Amendment right just because you had to spend some time in a backwards, corrupt state.

Brain and good instincts are the primary means of survival. Firearms are secondary.

I'm not sure if it will be a misdemeanor or felony, but given the direction that our nation is going, a "gun crime" may one day bar you from ownership. God forbid if you use an illegal firearm in a deadly force situation. It's not worth it.

get a collapsible baton

I'd choose option 3, but also make sure to not put yourself in a position in which anything could happen.

Redlg155 said:

Brain and good instincts are the primary means of survival. Firearms are secondary.

I'm not sure if it will be a misdemeanor or felony, but given the direction that our nation is going, a "gun crime" may one day bar you from ownership. God forbid if you use an illegal firearm in a deadly force situation. It's not worth it.

Click to expand...

You guys are right. I'll take it, but just lock it in the secondary compartment in my Sierra and hope for the best.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

...go to your hotel and stay inside...

Click to expand...

Um... No. Museum of Science and Industry, Field Museum of Natural History... and there's some good eats in Chicago, like Quartino on the corner of State and Ontario. Yeah, it's no place to live, but a good place to visit. Take a cab, don't stray far off of Michigan Avenue, and leave your gun behind, rather than hiding in your Hotel room. I was born there, and go back for weddings and funerals.

There is no carry in Ill.

Stay legal.

If you are legally allowed a knife, carry that.

I been to a few of those places for business. Do not carry anything, stay within the law.

Stay aware of all around you, and don't take chances. My stay in Boston for example was next to what is refered to as the Combat Zone. I didn't wonder the alleys there after dark. You'll be fine.

Stay away from seedy places, use awareness and always walk like you know what you're doing and where you're going. They'll find an easier target. You're more likely to be killed by traffic than a thug.

Not sure how old this is, but it may be useful.
http://www.isp.state.il.us/docs/ptfire.pdf

Batons? Nunchucks? Have you verified that those are legal to carry there? They're not legal everywhere.

There are some great things to see in Chicago, particularly the Museum of Natural History. Be aware, be cautious, you'll be fine.

An aside: You also would do well to walk to the nearest mirror, look at the guy in it, and smack him a few times in the face. All 3 of the 'options' you listed are potentially terrible choices. And posted on a public forum to boot. If this is the sort of judgment you exhibit on a regular basis, I'd say your days of worrying about "where to carry a gun" will come to an end in due time.

(No offense intended)

Sorry, but a law abiding gun owner means you abide by the BS laws as well. If carrying or possession is illegal in your present locale, you don't carry or posses. You vote with your wallet and don't spend your money there. If you still have to go, you spend as little as possible.

FWIW, on an MDW overnight, I walked down S. Cicero Ave from the Garden Inn to the Target at dusk / night on the way back with no trouble. Had to cross a massive rail yard (on the bridge) to boot. No troubles were had and I was complying with their BS laws.

I have issues with my.. well, it doesn't matter - the list is long and no need to bore. A Blackthorn walking stick allows me to negotiate the occasional curb sometimes.

+1 brain, instincts, situational awareness, etc.

A law abiding citizen knowingly committing a felony gun crime (or even seriously considering it) is absolutley nuts. If you're really that concerned about your personal safety, then "get the flu" and stay home. Hiring private security while you're there would be cheaper than if you got busted.

You can legally carry a heavy "walking cane" anywhere.

Lex Luthier said:

So I have to go to Chicago for business and stay over for one night. I will certainly see some of the sights (at night) and will be among many non-Minnesotan people. My employer would not approve of me carrying any firearm while on their dime.

Options:

1) Conceal carry anyway, risking potential search of my person or vehicle by LEOs and face the legal consequences,

2) Conceal carry anyway, risk confrontation with bad guys and A) the cops never find out about it, or I protect myself and have to face the legal consequences,

3) Carry a fine honed edge weapon or nunchucks, and trust my natural hand to hand combat instincts.

Thoughts?

Click to expand...

Lex,
If you have to ask if you can carry your firearm, in a well known no carry state, I suggest you do the following.

During your visit to Chicago. Open Carry. The reaction, and reception you receive from the authorities will satisfy your curiosity regarding Illinois law.

When in Minnesota, why don't you carry in a court house? See how well that goes over? Tell the deputies you don't like the law. I am sure they will let you go home without incident.

I can't believe you are asking us if you should violate firearms law.

Lets say you did CCW in Chicago, and you had to defend yourself. You see what the media is doing to George in Florida? You will be the next poster boy for gun confiscation.

DON'T BREAK FIREARM LAW.

I've lived in Illinois all my life ,60 years. Been active in shooting sports 40 years.
I won't drive through Chicago going to a competition or hunting for ANY reason. Enough friends have had their legal arms confiscated on random stop for me to know it a loosing proposition. Now you get stopped carrying a weapon
you are dead meat. I'll go to shows and conferences down town but we stay with the crowds and never wander off the main drives. Their is NO citizen carry in Illinois except for a very few exceptions and unless your a politician. Chicago Aldermen can carry. Do tell. You defend yourself and its felony assault with a deadly weapon.

"Welcome to The High Road. A place for the discussion and advancement of responsible gun ownership"
Taken straight from the rules. Asking for advice about illegally carrying a firearm isn't exactly responsible, is it? Sounds kinda irresponsible, to me.

10 shot, 3 dead, on South and West sides

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-man-shot-in-head-on-south-side-20120413,0,4044709.story

Three people died and seven others were wounded in shootings Friday night and Saturday morning on the South and West sides, police said.

Half of the people wounded were shot within blocks of 71st Street and Racine Avenue, on the south end of the Englewood neighborhood and north end of the Gresham neighborhood

Click to expand...

Any smart person who is used to practicing his 2A rights, would remember that a felony (such as illegally carrying in IL) will strip your ability to practice your 2A rights.

Click to expand...

Fixed it for ya

I'm not telling you what to do. You're a big boy, and can make your own decisions. I'm telling you you shouldn't be asking us to give you an "atta boy" for knowingly breaking the law, should you so choose to do so.

I'm also not telling you to go to a dangerous city unprotected. There are other, completely legal ways to defend yourself should the situation arise. As good or better than carrying a firearm? No, but I bet you the need to use your weapon has a much slighter chance than being "made".

I go into Chicago every few weeks on business. My wife, daughter, and grand daughter take the train in and shop on Michigan avenue. My oldest daughter lived by Wrigley for years and never had a problem. Rode the El every day.

Chicago is no worse, and probably a lot better than most other large cities. The vast majority of shootings are people that live in the ghettos and deal drugs. West and particularly and SW sides.

If you stay north of the Sears Tower and east of I-94 (Dan Ryan Expy) you'll be fine if you don't do something real stupid. Also, take a cab. They're dirt cheap.