Chicago living, guns and residency issues

[FTA84]

Hello all.

I was wondering if I could get input from people living in Chicago, the great state of IL, and anyone whose job keeps them living out of their state of residence for extended periods.

Here is my situation; I have a career in academia. As such, I frequently have positions which lend me to spend periods the year in different states (4 months at a time).

I was born and raised in Ohio. I've since moved out of OH but I retained my residency since many states do not require me to file residency (which is the deal with IN). I always spend at least 3 months a year in Ohio, enough to claim residency (only 6 weeks is required). Usually I only have to worry about residency for tax purposes.

I am now moving to the great state of IL, to the socialist section known as the North Shore of Chicago.

I would like to keep a (hand) gun stored at a range and a rifle or shotgun in my home (nothing illegal here).

My problem is: I don't want to give up Ohio residency (since I don't have to) but the state of IL probably would want me to have an FOID card.

If I did give up OH residency, and I wanted to own handguns and leave them at my residence in OH, is this a problem? What about transporting them?

Being that the FOID card requires a state drivers license numbers, I am guessing that to have one you must be an IL resident.

I know legally, I am probably not in trouble if I have OH residency and bring a gun into the state. However, practically, even in IN, I have had trouble. Many LEOs don't believe that I do not have to file residency as I have a local residence for more than 2 months. I am afraid one of them could make some real legal trouble for me.

Is anyone in a similar situation or have any good advice on this topic? I have been living in IN and this has been kind of a non issue because OH and IN work well together but IL.....that is another story.

Thanks in advance.

 

[PracticeFreedom]

Been awhile since I checked, but could you obtain a FOID with an Illinois State ID? (thus keeping your DL for OH)

 

[ED21]

Stumper

The military covers one in situations such as this. Not sure how "liberal professors" are covered here. (Naturally, I'm stereotyping here )

 

[FTA84]

I also thought anyone could get a state ID. However, I tried to get a state ID in IN when I first moved here and they tried to take my Ohio driver's license! I am guessing IL is the same way, state ID cards are an admission of residency.

 

[YK]

I moved once from one state to another. My family stayed - so we kept a de facto residence - while I moved out for a year.
In a horrible turmoil surrounding the move I misplaced my vallet with it's contents, including the driver's license. I had no choice but to apply for a duplicate. That duplicate license was taken away when the new state issued me it's license.
Then, one day, visiting my family in the old state, I unexpectedly found my vallet with old DL. This effectively gave me a proof of residence in two states, which, in fact, was true.

I don't know if my post has anything to do with your question though....

 

[FTA84]

Well according to IN, if I hadn't shown them my OH DL when they asked (or if I said I didn't have one) they wouldn't of know to take.

However, doesn't having identification in two states open me up to paying residence taxes in both states instead of visiting taxes in one and residence taxes in the other?

 

[mballai]

I believe your best bet is to find an IL shooting buddy and go to the range with them. At least at my range, they let people shoot with someone who has a FOID card and you can also shoot as an out of state resident. I would be wary about keeping a handgun within Chicago city limits or even traveling through there with one. Outside of Chicago (ditto Evanston, Wilmette, and Morton Grove), you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[YK]

That I don't know; I actually doubt it since my posession of IDs from two different states was completely inadvertent. I think it has to do with the actual facts of situation rather than having two DLs. Second ID could be destroyed in a minute but I doubt it would absolve you of any factual violations.
Anyway,when we filed the taxes, my accountant said it wasn't a problem; he didn't even ask if I had another state's ID. I think the big part was that my stay in the second state, albeit year long, was temporary and for the purposes of training after which I was coming back to the original state. I did end up paying taxes in both states but we filed as married filing jointly with primary residence in one state.
Perhaps you should talk to your accountant. Good luck.

 

[Onmilo]

If you have a residence in Illinois and have lived there for continuously for thirty days you are required to obtain a state identification card or drivers license.
You are required to apply for a firearm owners identification card if you have met the above requirements and possess any firearms with the exception of a BB or pellet gun of .177 caliber or less that does not exceed 1000 feet per second velocity, and you may use a state identification number in lieu of a drivers license number to apply for the FOID.

Chicago requires that you register your firearms with the local precinct police office.
You may keep a long gun as long as it is not on the banned list and you may not possess magazines with a capacity exceeding 12 rounds if you are living in the city proper.
I am not certain on this but in Chicago proper, I think a shotgun may not be legal if capable of carrying more than three or five rounds, I have to dig out the regulation book and wade through it to be certain.

 

[Bunkerbuster]

Check the state law. usually it isn't biggie. I have a driver license (1st state), and 1 state ID. In my state(2nd state). 1st state, it is illegal to have same driver's license and ID issued by same state. So, i am okay.

I've seen lots of riches do this, why can't we?

 

[Bunkerbuster]

Check the state law first. usually it isn't biggie. I have a driver license (1st state), and 1 state ID. In my state(2nd state). 1st state, it is illegal to have same driver's license and ID issued by same state. So, i am okay.

I've seen lots of riches do this, why can't we?

 

[Neo-Luddite]

IL will send a FOID to you if you are a 'resident'--have a resident ID/DL and an address to send it to. In practice, an out of state resident can get one. Is that 100% kosher -- probably not. It's a very odd area. To an in-state LEO, a FOID with your local address will be solid data--but you don't NEED it and CAN'T have one--unless you ARE a 'resident'.

But your life will be easier in IL with one. As for the laws in chicago---UGGGH. You can register a shotgun or (most) rifles if you have a FOID and are a Chicago resident. Forget lawfully having a pistol--the long and short is you just can't unless you're in the power structure.


In theory, there is no legal reason why a non-resident of Illinois w/o a FOID CAN'T have a gun here (see Tank Johnson's defense about why he had no FOID). But most folks won't sell you Ammo or let you on a range anyway.\
And if you seem to live here and don't have one--the police will want you to have one anyway.


I have a deceased Uncle that had a FOID for 30+ years and never lived in Illinois--he used my Grandma's address. Hell, I bet I could RENEW his to this day--even though he's been dead over five years.

I've never heard of someone who was a 'might be' resident getting in trouble for getting a FOID card they could (otherwise) lawfully have.

Hope that helps:banghead:.

 

[def4pos8]

Sympathies, but one must live with one's mistakes. Illinois is a a place to be FROM, not to go TO. I once lived in St Claire County (Scott AFB). Another member describes Illinois as "Dalystan". If you don't know what that means -- you WILL! I live in Ohio now and the environment is OK. It's not as free as Mississippi but it lacks hurricanes and my home is 1,000ft above sea level.