Chicago/Cook County/Illinois law & suggestions?

[rangefinder]

I'm thinking about getting the Henry H001 lever-action .22 caliber rifle for basic protection, & I'm curious, for those more knowledgeable than me, if this is legal in Illinois, Cook County, and Chicago? I read the NRA briefing for IL, and it appears to be legal, and for Chicago, I believe it is, because it is a long gun. Cook County - I'm unsure of this part:

http://www.cookctyclerk.com/html/111406orddoc.htm
"Large capacity magazine” means any ammunition feeding device with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds, but shall not be construed to include the following:

(1) A feeding device that has been permanently altered so that it cannot accommodate more than 10 rounds.
(2) A 22 caliber tube ammunition feeding device.
(3) A tubular magazine that is contained in a lever-action firearm."

Large capacity magazines are illegal in Cook County. The Henry H001 is lever-action, holding 15,17, and 21 rounds in a tubular magazine - does the Cook County law mean that the H001 is exempt? TIA!!

 

[Positrack]

It's a tube-fed .22; you're fine. I've got a Remington 552 (20+1 .22 short or 15+1 .22 LR). By some people's vague definition, it could be an assault rifle..., but it's perfectly legal in IL and presumably Chicago/Cook County according to your quoted law.

BTW, since you're in IL, see my sig. line.

 

[Deanimator]

Why are you considering a .22 for "protection"?

If you're looking for a lever action, you'd be better off with one of the Winchester 66, 73, or 92 clones in .357, .45LC or .44 Magnum.

 

[rangefinder]

Thanks Positrack!! Also, thanks for the heads up on the IL bills ...

Deanimator: I'm only considering a .22 because it was specifically exempted in the Cook County law I quoted ....

 

[Deanimator]

Deanimator: I'm only considering a .22 because it was specifically exempted in the Cook County law I quoted

A tubular magazine lever action firearm is similarly exempted, as shown in your cite.

If ALL you can afford is a .22, it's better than nothing. It should NEVER be your first choice for self-defense in the home.

If you have the money, I recommend the 16" "Trapper" version of the Cimarron Winchester 92 clone in .357 Magnum or 44 Magnum.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Deanimator, as an old Chicago refugee, I can tell you that "handgun" ammunition like .357 Magnum today is highly regulated in IL. But I, too think he may be laboring under a misunderstanding. I legally owned a long gun in Chicago, and it was no .22!

 

[Bix]

Deanimator: I'm only considering a .22 because it was specifically exempted in the Cook County law I quoted

Lost of folks, myself included, have successfully registered pump-action shotguns with the city of Chicago.

They are (comparatively) cheap, and - when combined with some of the excellent training that is offered within driving distance of the city - a swell 'basic protection' tool.

 

[Geneseo1911]

Duke- you didn't get far enough out of Cook County. Down here, there's n problem getting any ammo, handgun or otherwise. In fact, .357 is one of the few my dealer still has. He hasn't had 9mm hollow points since about.....ohhhh say.... November

 

[Deanimator]

Duke- you didn't get far enough out of Cook County. Down here, there's n problem getting any ammo, handgun or otherwise. In fact, .357 is one of the few my dealer still has. He hasn't had 9mm hollow points since about.....ohhhh say.... November

Last month before I got laid off, I realized that I only had two magazines worth of .45acp self-defense ammunition for my Norinco M1911. NOBODY had the Hornady 200gr. TAP I was looking for. Even HORNADY didn't have it. I finally gave up and bought what I could find, Speer 230gr. Gold Dots from Graf's.

 

[Jeff White]

Deanimator, as an old Chicago refugee, I can tell you that "handgun" ammunition like .357 Magnum today is highly regulated in IL.

Handgun ammunition is not highly regulated in Illinois. You must be 21 to buy it and possess a FOID card. People should check their facts before they run their keyboards.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

I consider that pretty highly regulated. Far more regulated than anywhere else I've ever lived.

 

[Jeff White]

You have to be 21 to buy handgun ammunition everywhere I've been.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

I believe Maryland and Maine sell it over the counter to anyone. I haven't done a survey, but I doubt too many states require an ID or an age limit or a special firearms card for handgun ammunition.

 

[Megistopoda]

shall not be construed to include the following:

(2) A 22 caliber tube ammunition feeding device.

Are you serious? The answer was in your post.

In Chicago, they must be registered before you take possession of the firearm.

But I question your choice in a .22 rimfire for defensive purposes, unless it is for protection from rats. A shotgun would serve to protect you from both rats and humans.

 

[Gunfighter123]

To "possess , own , handle etc " ANY firearm or ANY ammo in Illinois , you must have a IL. FOID card.

Not really that big a deal -- I have owned one for the past 35-40 years.

 

[ilbob]

I can tell you that "handgun" ammunition like .357 Magnum today is highly regulated in IL.

Its not all that regulated. Out of staters can buy it with an out of state driver's license. Residents need a FOID card that is easy to come by.

 

[Bix]

I consider that pretty highly regulated. Far more regulated than anywhere else I've ever lived.

The state's age requirement is no more onerous than the USC, which prohibits dealers from selling handgun ammunition to anyone they reasonably believe to be under 21. See 18 USC § 922(b)(1).

 

[ilbob]

and it appears to be legal, and for Chicago, I believe it is, because it is a long gun

IIRC, the Cook County ordinance is not in effect within the city limits of Chicago.

The City of Chicago effectively bans the possession or handguns, and certain long guns. Just being a long gun does not make it legal in Chicago. The ordinance allows the police superintendent to declare any firearm to be an assault weapon, which is banned.

As I understand it, pump action shotguns with more than a certain magazine capacity have been banned as have M1 Garands, neither of which are mentioned in the ordinance.

 

[Bix]

As I understand it, pump action shotguns with more than a certain magazine capacity have been banned as have M1 Garands, neither of which are mentioned in the ordinance.

Negative - "manually operated" (pump action) firearms are specifically carved out of the Superintendent's definition of "assault weapon". Or, at least they were when I last reviewed the material in preparing an appeal of my registration denial a couple years ago.

 

[casual]

im with ilbob

the city of chicago ordinance is the real problem, not necessarily the il gun laws

"registration" with the city is not automatic

and ask yourself if you want to be on the city's "gunowner" list

i would consult a pro-gun rights attorney before purchasing in chicago

no ****

casual

 

[Positrack]

The FOID cards are more of a minor hassle than real regulation. The only huge beef I have with the FOID cards is that lately the state has been taking an absurdly long time to process applications and renewals from what I've heard. The IL waiting period business is way more of an irritation to me since I live in a rural area and it's quite a drive to any decent, stocking gun shop. That can be a real hassle. As far as ammunition goes, you can get pretty much anything you want, particularly if you're willing to have it ordered. One shop near me has a whole wall of ammo. Lots of it is specialty self-defense stuff.

Chicago and the surrounding area on the other hand...:banghead:
I don't keep up with all the ridiculous bans and regulations, but I know enough not to move there...

And like everybody else said, if you're talking self-defense, I'd think about a short (legal) barreled 12ga. They can be had used for pretty cheap. I just saw a well used but no doubt functional 18.5" 870 Exp. Mag. at Gander Mt. the other day for $175. If you're looking for a purely self-defense gun, you could do a lot better than a .22.


EDIT: Not to hijack, but it's still in the same vein; to those in Chi-town, did I understand you to say you HAVE to register with the city ANY firearm you own if you live in Chicago?!

 

[Deanimator]

EDIT: Not to hijack, but it's still in the same vein; to those in Chi-town, did I understand you to say you HAVE to register with the city ANY firearm you own if you live in Chicago?!

You have to register any firearm you possess IN CHICAGO. It's been that way long before I moved out of Apartheid Chicago in '86.

 

[Rmeju]

Rangefinder

Are you in Chicago?

IF YOU ARE IN CHICAGO, NEARLY EVERY HANDGUN CALIBER IS ILLEGAL TO BUY & POSSESS INCLUDING .22LR!!

If you are somewhere else in Cook, you're ok, but not in the city. Be very very careful!

Rmeju

 

[Bix]

EDIT: Not to hijack, but it's still in the same vein; to those in Chi-town, did I understand you to say you HAVE to register with the city ANY firearm you own if you live in Chicago?!

As Deanimator said; that's the law.

IF YOU ARE IN CHICAGO, NEARLY EVERY HANDGUN CALIBER IS ILLEGAL TO BUY & POSSESS INCLUDING .22LR!!

Interesting, Rmeju. That seems to conflict directly with the language of the municipal code. Do you have any authority for that? Is it just the gun registration department's practice to deny applications for registration of .22s?

 

[ilbob]

handguns of all calibers are banned in Chicago.