Flying to Chicago. Carry or no carry.

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

coolluke01

Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2011
Messages
1,041
Location
MN
UPDATE
The vehicle in Chicago fell through. We will now be heading for Ohio the following weekend. We will fly into Hopkins and drive to Chicago to stay with friends and drive the last 9 hours the next day. Does this change anything? Is it any better to fly into Ohio?
I know that we would still have to drive through Chicago. A handgun can be possessed in Chicago, it just has to be unloaded and stored separate from the gun, right?


I'm flying to Chicago with my wife this weekend to pick up a vehicle and see some friends. I would rather not check anything and I know checking a handgun takes more time and can be a hassle.

I also know that carrying in IL is not an option. But we will be driving for a while with many stops, food, gas, bathroom (3 month pregnant wife). I'm thinking I'll just have to forgo carrying on this trip.

It just kinda bugs me. I can't even bring a knife unless I check a bag. We will be flying into O'Hare and dealing with luggage would be a hassle.

Am I missing something? Would it be easier than I think? We will be staying with friends who are cool with guns. He's a airline Pilot who carries in the cockpit. He deals with different security when he flies so it's not really an issue for him.

Anyone have any insight?

Anyone in Chicago want to lend me a handgun for the trip back? lol
 
Last edited:
I know this might sound crazy, but maybe ship your pistol to an FFL in another state that you are going to be passing through immediately following IL. I know the idea might be a little uneasy, but it is better than being unarmed. Just a heads up some FFL's offer a discount for CCW permit holders, LEO and military personnel. Maybe someone here is an FFL and is willing to help can't hurt to call and/or ask.
 
I am not familiar with Chicago's handgun laws,but they are known as one of the most anti-gun cities in the country.You better do some serious research before bringing a handgun into that city.I would check state,county and city laws.The McDonald case overturned the city's long standing ban on handguns,but you don't want to be the next poster child for overzealous enforcement of incredibly stupid anti gun laws.You may want to bring a shotgun,or skip the trip altogether.
 
As far as the process of flying with a handgun checked in your luggage...it was quite simple a couple of years ago. May have changed. I would call the airline & ask about the procedure. I simply had to have the gun in an approved case, locked in my checked in bag. When at the counter I filled out a short form & was sent to the end of the counter to wait for someone to come inspect things. Five minutes later I was done. They just checked to see that I had what I said I did and that it was properly stored.

Just pick up your baggage like everyone else on the other end & move on. Follow Illinois law on the transit of weapons in a vehicle to the letter & enjoy your trip. Get out of Illinois as soon as possible:)
 
I recently was 'stripped' of my rights in a similar fashion visiting Boston... hated it. But since it's basically illegal to possess a gun there, I left mine at home.

I try to avoid visiting anti-free states as much as I can. I have no answer for you about Illinois, other than check out handgunlaws.com or similar sites. I doubt you can possess it there, and if you can, it would have to have small magazines and be unloaded and locked away... but at least maybe you could have it in your hotel at night...
 
I know this might sound crazy, but maybe ship your pistol to an FFL in another state that you are going to be passing through immediately following IL. I know the idea might be a little uneasy, but it is better than being unarmed. Just a heads up some FFL's offer a discount for CCW permit holders, LEO and military personnel. Maybe someone here is an FFL and is willing to help can't hurt to call and/or ask.
Click to expand...

Not a bad idea, might be doable. I have enough Glocks I could risk one!

I spent 10 days in IL, 3 years ago! Never felt so naked.
 
Luke, if you must enter the People's Republic of Illinois, maybe consider a one way rental car and carry concealed? I once posed a similar question to a friend of mine who is a CPD Detective about a family member traveling there, and his exact words were "carry anyway, at least you'll be alive to be prosecuted!";)

LD
 
I know this might sound crazy, but maybe ship your pistol to an FFL in another state that you are going to be passing through immediately following IL.
Click to expand...
This is not a lawful possibility.

No FFL may transfer a handgun to any person outside of that person's home state.

You may ship your firearm TO YOURSELF in care of another person in your destination state, but sending to an FFL will not work. They simply cannot log it in and then log it out to you.
 
Am I missing something? Would it be easier than I think? We will be staying with friends who are cool with guns. He's a airline Pilot who carries in the cockpit. He deals with different security when he flies so it's not really an issue for him.
Click to expand...

Take it from somebody that's lived in Illinois all their life, currently lives in the Chicagoland, and does business in the city on a daily basis(all without a gun believe it or not)......just take a breath and relax.

Sounds to me like you'll be staying in a nice neighborhood(considering your friends a pilot) and since your just visiting, relax and try to see some of the sites if you can. If you haven't been downtown to Millennium Park definitely head down there see the 'Bean', check out the new addition to the Art Musuem(worth seeing, done by architect Renzo Piano) and take a nice walk to the shore line. Relax and have a great time.
 
coolluke01 said:
I'm flying to Chicago with my wife this weekend to pick up a vehicle and see some friends. I would rather not check anything and I know checking a handgun takes more time and can be a hassle.

I also know that carrying in IL is not an option. But we will be driving for a while with many stops, food, gas, bathroom (3 month pregnant wife). I'm thinking I'll just have to forgo carrying on this trip.

It just kinda bugs me. I can't even bring a knife unless I check a bag. We will be flying into O'Hare and dealing with luggage would be a hassle.

Am I missing something? Would it be easier than I think? We will be staying with friends who are cool with guns. He's a airline Pilot who carries in the cockpit. He deals with different security when he flies so it's not really an issue for him.

Anyone have any insight?

Anyone in Chicago want to lend me a handgun for the trip back? lol
Click to expand...
I would pack can of mace into luggage destined for cargo compartment. I know many European-Americans are very paranoid but chances that something bad will happen to you in Chicago is very low. Unfortunately those chances improve when you strap on a handgun.
 
PabloJ said:
I know many European-Americans are very paranoid but chances that something bad will happen to you in Chicago is very low.
Click to expand...

However, those chances of something bad happening in Chicago are higher than 99.5% of the rest of America.

TimeIsRunninOut said:
I know this might sound crazy, but maybe ship your pistol to an FFL in another state that you are going to be passing through immediately following IL. I know the idea might be a little uneasy, but it is better than being unarmed.
Click to expand...

This is a very common MYTH. It would be illegal for the FFL to transfer the handgun to a resident of a different state, even if that person is the original owner of the gun. The best that could be hoped for would be that the receiving FFL would ship the handgun back to an FFL in the owner's state of residence, for the appropriate fee, of course. And then the owner would have to return to their home state and pay the second FFL their fee for transfer back to them.
 
Just FYI it is possible to carry unloaded in the console/seat rest of your car in IL

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled on 10/8/2009 (Docket # 106367) that the Center Console of a vehicle was a case and a firearm could be carried in the closed Center Console.

http://www.state.il.us/court/opinions/supremecourt/2009/october/106367.pdf

People v. Holmes, Ill. Supreme Court, Docket # 109130, Opinion filed 4/7/11. The defendant owner/driver of a motor vehicle, an Indiana resident who had been issued a carry license by his home state, was stopped by Chicago police officers for a traffic violation. Pursuant to a search, a 9 mm handgun was recovered from a backseat armrest of the car. The Court noted that “[t]he armrest separated the two back seats and contained a storage compartment that closed with a latch. The compartment could be folded up into the seat or left in a down position.

Illinois State Supreme Court found for the defendant in this case.

http://www.state.il.us/court/opinions/SupremeCourt/2011/April/109130.pdf

On the other hand - this poor guy was charged with Aggravated Unlawfull use of a Weapon for transporting his firearm on a Greyhound bus.

While Greyhound has rules prohibiting transporting firearms on their buses, no one has been able to figure out how this man broke Illinois state law:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...-he-did-have-weapons-20120415,0,5025257.story

It's sad that this bail for this man was set at $50,000

Conversley, an actual criminal - Devell M. Johnson had been arrested on a weapon's charge and only had $25K bail. While he was free on bail he murdered a 2year old girl.


http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...ld-girl-murder-devell-johnson,0,5234655.story

Johnson had been free on $25,000 bail in connection with a Sept. 17, 2011 arrest, his first arrest on serious charges, according to court records. Previous misdemeanor charges dating back to 2006 against Johnson had all been dismissed or dropped. Last year, police arrested Johnson about 2:30 a.m. on the sidewalk in the 1000 block of West Addison Street, in possession of a handgun, according to police and court records.

After he made bail in the gun case, Johnson was again arrested on Oct. 11 about 2:20 p.m. in an alley in the 4700 block of North Sheridan Road, according to court records. Johnson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of unlawfully possessing a blackjack, served two days in jail and paid a $250 fine, according to police and court records. He was scheduled to appear in court in connection with the gun charge on May 19.
Click to expand...


Chicago is tough on law abiding gun owners, easy on violent criminals.




.
 
Last edited:
I keep a few non/less than lethal defense tools around just for the cases where I can't carry a firearm or my permit does not apply. Checking any of them is never an issue for me as my wife does not pack light enough so that we can fly without having to check a bag or two:rolleyes:

I usually pack a TASER C2 in areas where they are allowed. Sure, I would rather be packing a handgun, but at least a TASER gives me SOME range. Of course, what do you know, IL restricts stun guns of all types:rolleyes: Even California isn't that crazy.

Recently, a customer and friend of mine gave me a free sample of the new pepper spray line that Ruger currently offers. He's a rep for the company who manufacturers the spraying system, and offered me one to try out. I have to say, it's pretty cool. In addition to the pepper spray, when you draw it from the belt clip holster (kinda looks like an old school beeper) it has a strobing LED and a 120db alarm that shrieks bloody murder. Personally, I think I'll pick up one that doesn't have the extra doodads on it for personal carry and give the one he gave me to my wife. I like the idea of her pulling out the spray while a ton of attention is drawn to her. It's not the best option, but at least its SOMETHING.

But yeah, going places with out my gun makes me feel jay-bird naked. Good luck to you:)
 
I recently was 'stripped' of my rights in a similar fashion visiting Boston... hated it. But since it's basically illegal to possess a gun there, I left mine at home.
Click to expand...
I think this is the correct attitude, IMHO. FOPA doesn't protect you if IL is your destination and you don't have an IL FOID. I wouldn't even try landing in Chicago and driving with cased guns to my final non-IL, legal-to-have-a-firearm-there state (even though that's FOPA-covered) unless I had a passel of lawyers in my carry-on.
 
Luke, if you must enter the People's Republic of Illinois, maybe consider a one way rental car and carry concealed? I once posed a similar question to a friend of mine who is a CPD Detective about a family member traveling there, and his exact words were "carry anyway, at least you'll be alive to be prosecuted!"
Click to expand...

Or as we used to say down here in Texas before GW freed us....better judged by 12 than carried by 6.
 
Sorry for my lack of knowledge in the shipping and transportation department, I have learned something new and am sorry for the misunderstanding.
 
Last edited:
You don't need to ship the firearm to an FFL because you are not transferring ownership of the weapon. You can ship it to your friends house with your name on it. As long as you are shipping to yourself it is perfectly legal.
 
As a 50+ year resident of IL, all I can say is do not bring a firearm along. It sucks, yes. IL and especially Chicago are very strict about handguns and non-residents. Yes, if you are traveling THRU IL, you can follow the federal laws to a tee but if you stop and stay anywhere in IL you will risk losing your right to possess and/or carry everywhere in the country. It is not worth the risk. You are gambling all of your firearms and the right to own in any state, not just IL. A felony firearm conviction will ruin your life.
 
Leave it at home, unless you want to to take the chance of stay in IL a lot longer than you had planned upon.
 
I would bring luggage.

That is what I do.

I have to go to Chicago from time to time myself. I don't like it, it is a seriously corrupt armpit that needs to fall into the lake, but I still check luggage and bring my 'stuff'.
 
Do what I do. Visit via National Geographic ONLY. Same goes for anywhere my Kentucky CCW is not honored, since I have no use for even beautiful and interesting places ruled by those who do not trust me as does my home state. Don
 
Tallbald said:
Do what I do. Visit via National Geographic ONLY. Same goes for anywhere my Kentucky CCW is not honored, since I have no use for even beautiful and interesting places ruled by those who do not trust me as does my home state. Don
Click to expand...

Unfortunately for some people that just isn't an option.
 
Same problem when summoned for jury duty. Can't carry into the court house. Can't even carry while walking through Atlanta to get there because there is no place to leave it before you go in. Feels like being absolutely naked but there is no choice.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
Flying Out of or through Chicago O'Hare with Handgun?
Replies
8
Views
2K
jim243
J
R
  • Locked
Flying out of Chicago with checked gun?
Replies
12
Views
902
Neo-Luddite
Neo-Luddite
L
  • Locked
Air Travel with hand gun.
Replies
23
Views
1K
Warp
Warp
H
  • Locked
Chicago Trip & CCW?
Replies
6
Views
298
Huesman
H
bradepb
  • Locked
car carry in Chicago on visit
Replies
4
Views
792
358Hoosier
3
Back
Top