|
Illinois does suck - but there is also a world of difference between Chicago/cook county and pretty much the rest of Illinois. Chicago bans handguns (or did), has a assualt weapons ban, and requires licensing of guns including long guns.
However, downstate there are basically three garbage laws that apply or restrict gun ownership - no legal carry open or concealed is the biggest one, no NFA weapons of machine guns, and having to have a FOID card (firearm owners identification card) which is the least problematic of the three as it is basically shall issue for ten dollars and good for three years.
I expect that the FOID card as it exists now and the ban on all carry will go bye bye as a result of Heller/MacDonald in the not too distant future.
The FOID will go bye bye because if you don't have one you can be arrested for possessing a gun - and that would be akin to being arrested for speaking or going to church if you didn't have a speech card or a worship card - the FOID will probably become a CCW license down the road - which it appears the court feels is okay if it is shall issue and not onerous.
The carry ban will go away as the court from the text of MacDonald seems to clearly envision the carrying of arms as part of the right - as it specifically takes the time to note that carry may be constitutionally prohibited in government buildings, schools, and sensitive places - no reason to make that point if carry could be totally prohibited.
|