Indiana to Chicago trip - can't CCW?

[WebHobbit]

Next weekend were taking the child unit to a "BUffy Con" (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Convention) in Rosemont , Illinois (which is I guess a village/neighborhood in Chicago). We have never been to Chicago but as I undertstand it has the dubious distinction of being both the Murder Capitol of the USA and also under a total and complete handgun ban.



We are travelling by car and according to my MapQuest directions we will be within Indiana's borders during about 98% of the trip. We are staying at a Radisson's for one night and two days and then driving back to the Land of the Free.

I HATE the idea of leaving my gun at home as I have had an Indiana CCW for many years and ALWAYS carry. My Wife wants me to bring one of our .357s along in a case in the trunk once we enter Illinois and then lock it up in the Hotel room when we get there. She figure's atleast we would have that protection as we slept in our room's the one night & I could CCW all the way there and back on the road trip.

I have done a little Net research on this and looks like I'd be facing some severe charges if caught in Illinois even IF it is in the trunk or in our Hotel room.

Advice please! What should I do? This SUCKS. Chicago SUCKS. We have already paid for tickets in advance so I can't get out of this!

Sorry if I put this in the wrong forum I wasn't sure where it should go.

 

[Captain Bligh]

Do as you might, but I don't carry in Chicago. To me, it's simply not worth the risk. Your post estabishes that you have a wife and kid(s). I'm sure they'd rather have you at home than be visiting you on weekends in the big house.

Even with your gun safely tucked away in the trunk, if you get in a car wreck on the Dan Ryan expressway (greater liklihood than getting shot, IMHO) and the investigating officer or EMS attendant finds your gun, you could be screwed.

I visit Chicago 2 to 3 times a year. I stay right downtown and have walked the city at all hours without fear or incident. I'm don't know about Rosemont. All large cities have violent crime to contend with. But generally the murder capitol leaders are Detroit, DC, and our own Gary, IN.

RJ

 

[El Tejon]

Illinois is horrible, Chicago is even worse. They are openly hostile to armed taxpayers.

Don't take it if you are concerned with violating Illinois law.

 

[El Tejon]

Web, I feel your pain. I lived in downtown Chicago for 3 years. Almost every day there was something in the paper, radio, television about how horrible guns were.

Northern Illinois is very close to me, but a world away.

 

[WebHobbit]

Hmmmm....
This is what I thought.



Well...what about my pocket knife? I also carry a S&W HRT with a 3&1/2 inch blade. Is that illegal there also?

 

[Coronach]

IIRC, Chicago has a helpful little ban on concealed knives with a blade length of more than 1.5 inches.

yes, you read that right.

Now, I am MOST CERTAINLY not a lawyer, or even an Illinois LEO, but in my lexicon it is NOT concealed if it is a pocket clip, where the clip is plainly visible. Which would mean that any length would be OK.

But, thats dicey. And no, I wouldn't take my gun unless you know ALL of the laws for ALL of the municipalities that you will be in. Illinois doesn't have state pre-emption.

Mike

 

[WebHobbit]

Oh boy. My knife does have a clip and that's how I carry it. Front right pants pocket.

Otherwise I'm going as a totally unarmed little round hobbit guy.

 

[El Tejon]

That's how Blojo and Daley want you.

 

[mercedesrules]

I wonder if you could take a shotgun

MR

 

[El Tejon]

mer, only if you want to go to jail.

Dude, it's Illinois.

 

[Justin]

Is it just me, or does it seem like the only places where you really need to carry a gun you can't?

Personally, I wouldn't sweat it. I've taken three trips to Chi-town, and never had any trouble other than ignoring bums. As long as you stay in safe areas, you'll be alright. The dictators of Chicago can keep you from carrying a gun or a knife, but they can't take away your best weapon- the one between your ears. Stay aware of your surroundings and you should be fine.

 

[Shooter 2.5]

Gunowners protection Act. That means you can carry where it's legal and other times it has to remain unloaded and in the trunk of the car. Check with local authorities about it in the hotel room.

Rosemont is a safe area. Just stay out of Chicago.

I wish I could be there. BTVS is my favorite show. Too bad it only has three more episodes left then it's over.

 

[El Tejon]

FOPA meet FOID.

 

[coonan357]

wes avoid chicago all together and take I-294 around the city it will cost you $1.20 but is worth it and exits right at the convention center , as for the knife what mike said is right , but THe clip Must be showing !!!! and the laws are at http://www.isp.state.il.us/ for firearm transport , I will tell you Rosemont has one of the largest and Best police Forces in the western Suburbs , and being that your near the airport there is extra patrols out there .

 

[Soap]

Don't take it if you are concerned with violating Illinois law.

I would second this statement.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I'd go somewhere else. In fact, I do go elsewhere.

 

[WebHobbit]

Standing Wolf - like I said the tickets are already paid for and it wasn't cheap.

I suppose they should have emailed me and asked my permission on which state to put the convention in.



I would have picked out a nice pro-gun rights state for sure!

 

[foghornl]

Going to Chikago, ILL ? ? ?

As for me, not now, not ever. Not while Emperor DICK Daley II and his ilk rule ILL-inois.

 

[WebHobbit]

Well, I'm back & I survived!



Check out the Buffy Con report I just posted on my site (link in sig). I posted a pic of my Illinois Legal defense weapon!