Question for IL residents

[phorvick]

I am an instructor and will be taking the show on the road in June into several locations in Illinois. I have read up on the transportation rules in Illinois and the FOID statutes. Assuming that I do not travel in one of the cities that have more restrictive local laws, here is what I assume to be true:

1. as a non-resident, I do not need a FOID card to transport a gun or guns in my vehicle so long as they are not readily accessible;

2. as a non-resident, I can handle/possess my guns while at a State approved range;

My question is that at least one class is in a private residence. In reading the FOID statute I do not see a provision that expressly allows me to even handle/possess my own handguns in someone else's residence. Is that correct? Since the classes I am doing do not mandate a range exercise, but do mandate a "handling" exercise (i.e,. a "show and tell" of safety and features), am I being legal if ...

a. I handle/possess/demo my own guns in a private residence
b. if that answer is "no", can I have a FOID'er retrieve the guns from my vehicle and then be the demonstrator etc; (so that at the time I am not in possession of the guns, rather a FOID'er is.)

Since I suspect that I have gotten the attention of the State Police and anti-gun types by the advertising of the classes (Utah and/or Florida approved Permit to Carry class for non-residents), I am a bit paranoid about not violating any Illinois gun law while visiting.

Thoughts? Suggestion of person to contact? I did contact the Ill AG office and was told to read the statute myself and figure it out (i.e., they are not willing or able to advise me as I am not their statutory client etc.)

 

[AirForceShooter]

We're talking Illinois here.
I would be VERY careful.
Talking to an Illinois attorney may be worth the cost.

AFS

 

[MGK]

I am not at attorney, nor do I play one on TV. This advise is worth what you paid for it. Having said that, I live in Illinois and have a FOID card. Chicago and Cook county, generally is tha only area of the state that gets a little strange. If you are legal in your state of residence and transport your guns in an approved case, unloaded, with the ammo kept separate locked in the car trunk, you should be fine. Despite what the press may publish, I don't think Illinois is near as restrictive has some states are. Chicago politicians would like to ban "ALL" guns, if they could.

MGK

 

[Don Gwinn]

It really does depend. Where are you going to be? If it's downstate, I wouldn't worry much. If it's in the "Chicagoland" area, then I'd be careful. However, I'd be very surprised if there was a way for anybody to make trouble over you handling guns on a landowner's private property with that landowner's permission.

Is there any way you could hold that class at a range?

 

[Jeff White]

I'm not an attorney, just a cop. Looking at the FOID law I see a couple provisions that might cover you.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilc...tName=Firearm+Owners+Identification+Card+Act.

(430 ILCS 65/2) (from Ch. 38, par. 83‑2)
Sec. 2. Firearm Owner's Identification Card required; exceptions.
(a) (1) No person may acquire or possess any firearm, stun gun, or taser within this State without having in his or her possession a Firearm Owner's Identification Card previously issued in his or her name by the Department of State Police under the provisions of this Act.
(2) No person may acquire or possess firearm ammunition within this State without having in his or her possession a Firearm Owner's Identification Card previously issued in his or her name by the Department of State Police under the provisions of this Act.
(b) The provisions of this Section regarding the possession of firearms, firearm ammunition, stun guns, and tasers do not apply to:
(1) United States Marshals, while engaged in the operation of their official duties;
(2) Members of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard, while engaged in the operation of their official duties;
(3) Federal officials required to carry firearms, while engaged in the operation of their official duties;
(4) Members of bona fide veterans organizations which receive firearms directly from the armed forces of the United States, while using the firearms for ceremonial purposes with blank ammunition;
(5) Nonresident hunters during hunting season, with valid nonresident hunting licenses and while in an area where hunting is permitted; however, at all other times and in all other places these persons must have their firearms unloaded and enclosed in a case;
(6) Those hunters exempt from obtaining a hunting license who are required to submit their Firearm Owner's Identification Card when hunting on Department of Natural Resources owned or managed sites;
(7) Nonresidents while on a firing or shooting range recognized by the Department of State Police; however, these persons must at all other times and in all other places have their firearms unloaded and enclosed in a case;
(8) Nonresidents while at a firearm showing or display recognized by the Department of State Police; however, at all other times and in all other places these persons must have their firearms unloaded and enclosed in a case;
(9) Nonresidents whose firearms are unloaded and enclosed in a case;
(10) Nonresidents who are currently licensed or registered to possess a firearm in their resident state;
(11) Unemancipated minors while in the custody and immediate control of their parent or legal guardian or other person in loco parentis to the minor if the parent or legal guardian or other person in loco parentis to the minor has a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card;
(12) Color guards of bona fide veterans organizations or members of bona fide American Legion bands while using firearms for ceremonial purposes with blank ammunition;
(13) Nonresident hunters whose state of residence does not require them to be licensed or registered to possess a firearm and only during hunting season, with valid hunting licenses, while accompanied by, and using a firearm owned by, a person who possesses a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card and while in an area within a commercial club licensed under the Wildlife Code where hunting is permitted and controlled, but in no instance upon sites owned or managed by the Department of Natural Resources;
(14) Resident hunters who are properly authorized to hunt and, while accompanied by a person who possesses a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card, hunt in an area within a commercial club licensed under the Wildlife Code where hunting is permitted and controlled; and
(15) A person who is otherwise eligible to obtain a Firearm Owner's Identification Card under this Act and is under the direct supervision of a holder of a Firearm Owner's Identification Card who is 21 years of age or older while the person is on a firing or shooting range or is a participant in a firearms safety and training course recognized by a law enforcement agency or a national, statewide shooting sports organization.
(c) The provisions of this Section regarding the acquisition and possession of firearms, firearm ammunition, stun guns, and tasers do not apply to law enforcement officials of this or any other jurisdiction, while engaged in the operation of their official duties.
(Source: P.A. 94‑6, eff. 1‑1‑06.)

Number 10 says that non-residents who are licensed to possess a firearm in their resident state don't require a FOID and it has no provisions about keeping your firearm in a case at all times.

The only thing I see wrong with number 15 is that as a non-resident you aren't eligible to get a FOID unless you're in the military stationed here.

I really don't see you running into any trouble while conducting your class anywhere but the Chicagoland area. Where are your classes going to be held?

Jeff