by Attorney Eric D. PuryearIllinois has very strict gun regulations. To carry a concealed firearm in the State of Illinois, an individual must apply for an Illinois Concealed Carry License. Pursuant to Illinois law, only
certain individuals are eligible for an Illinois Concealed Carry License.
The Firearm Concealed Carry Act of Illinois regulates which individuals may apply for a Concealed Carry License. A person is ineligible for a Concealed Carry Permit if any of the following are true:
1. The person is under the age of 21;
2. They do not possess a valid Firearm Owner’s identification Card (“FOID card”) at the time of the application, and they are prohibited from possessing a valid FOID card under the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act or federal law;
3. The person has been convicted or found guilty of a misdemeanor involving the threat of physical force or violence to any person within the past five years;
4. The person has had two or more violations related to driving while under the influence of alcohol, other drugs, intoxicating compounds within the past 5 years;
5. The person is subject to a pending arrest warrant, prosecution or proceeding for an offense or action that could lead to disqualification to own or possess a firearm;
6. The person has been in a residential or court-ordered treatment for alcoholism, alcohol detoxification, or drug treatment within the past 5 years; or
7. The person has not completed firearms training and any educational component as required by the Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act.
The firearms training and educational requirement includes a completion of a firearms training course or combination of courses of at least 16 hours, which includes training on firearm safety; the basic principles of marksmanship; care, cleaning, loading, and unloading of a concealable firearm; all applicable State and Federal laws relating to the ownership, storage, carry, and transportation of a firearm; and instruction on the appropriate and lawful interaction with law enforcement while transporting or carrying a concealed firearm.
Many individuals are denied a Concealed Carry License in Illinois because they are prohibited from carrying a valid FOID card. Individuals prohibited from carrying a valid FOID card include individuals convicted of a Felony; individuals subject to an existing Order of Protection or No Contact/No Stalking Order, individuals convicted within the past five years of battery, assault, aggravated assault, or violation of an Order of Protection in which a firearm was used; individuals convicted of domestic battery, aggravated domestic battery, or a substantially similar offense; individuals who have used or been addicted to within the past year any controlled substance or narcotics in violation of state or federal law; individuals who were discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions; or an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States.
An individual who is denied a concealed carry license may appeal the denial. If the denial is based on a criminal charge, an individual may also request a pardon or attempt to get their record expunged.
As an attorney who is an avid firearms enthusiast, NRA-certified firearms instructor, and supporter of concealed carry, I find cases where I can help clients defend their gun rights to be some of the most rewarding. I have represented clients in appeals of permit to carry denials in Illinois, multiple self defense shootings cases, felon in possession of a firearm cases, and many other type of gun-related legal matters. That experience and passion for gun cases is something that I bring to each gun-related case that I handle for my clients.