What Happens if You Lie on a FOID Card Application
Wed Dec 04 2024
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Illinois treats weapons crimes very seriously. Unlawful possession of firearms, for instance, is a felony offense punishable by hefty fines and imprisonment. What most people don't understand is that to legally own a firearm in Illinois, you must have a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card, and to carry concealed firearms, you must have a permit. The law enforcement officers vigorously prosecute any violation of these laws.
If you're facing a criminal charge after the illegal possession of a firearm, you may be worried about the criminal penalties that could follow a criminal conviction. If you're the sole provider for your family, you might not know how they'll survive if you're sent away to prison.
Our Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Ktenas Law have helped thousands of people facing unlawful carry of a firearm charge in Cook County, Lake County, DuPage County, Kane County, Kendall County, and throughout Illinois beat their charges and we can help you too. At Ktenas Law, our goal is to ease the stress of confronting the criminal justice system while increasing your chances of getting a favorable outcome. To find out how we can protect your constitutional rights, call our criminal defense law firm today at
312-756-8652 for a free and confidential consultation.Unlawful possession of firearms may be committed by certain people in certain scenarios. You might be found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm if:
The law doesn't bar a person under 18 from taking part in lawful recreational activities with a firearm, such as hunting within the Illinois Wildlife Code or shooting at targets at ranges.
Learn More: Understanding Your Rights After an Arrest
There are several weapons, besides a firearm, that might be considered unlawful weapons under Illinois law. If you are found in illegal possession of any of them, you could face an unlawful weapons charge. Under 720 ILCS 5/24-1 These weapons include:
Apart from these, some types of guns are illegal in Illinois. This means that you can't legally own them in Illinois. They include:
However, it's essential to note that the laws on stun guns have changed slightly. A recent ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court deemed the ban on the Taser/Stun Gun unconstitutional. The Court ruled that the way the law was written, a person needs to have a valid license in their home to possess a Taser or stun gun.
Illinois law provides the definitions, criminal offenses, and penalties pertaining to unlawful carry of firearm charges in the state. While many violations of this law are categorized as misdemeanor offenses, criminal offenders could face felony charges depending on the circumstances.
If you're an Illinois resident and own a gun but don't possess a valid FOID card, you're considered to be breaking the law. Often, if a person has a valid FOID card but was carrying unloaded firearms in an improper way, that individual could be charged with a misdemeanor unlawful use of a firearm. Unlawful use of a firearm is a Class A misdemeanor offense, which carries a maximum punishment of up to one year in jail and a hefty fine of up to $2,500. Conditional Discharge or court supervision is possible.
In Illinois, aggravated unlawful use of a firearm carries harsher penalties. If a person carries a loaded gun on their person or in their motor vehicle without a valid FOID card and a Concealed Carry Permit, they can be arrested for aggravated firearms offenses. This means even people visiting from out of state must comply with Illinois’ gun laws, or they could face such criminal charges as well.
Also, Illinois residents can be arrested and charged with unlawful carry of a firearm if their FOID card is expired. Not knowing a FOID card had expired isn't a plausible defense to unlawful possession of a firearm or Aggravated unlawful use of firearm charge.
An Aggravated unlawful use of a firearm in Illinois is a Class 4 felony offense with the possibility of 1-3 years in prison. Most prosecutors are unwilling to negotiate for anything less than jail time concerning a UUW or an Aggravated UUW charge.
In Illinois, the criminal penalties for weapons violations are severe. Unlawful use of a weapon can involve gun crimes, which can be charged as misdemeanor offenses or felony offenses depending on the details of the case. If you or a loved one is facing such criminal charges, you need experienced legal counsel to represent you. The experienced criminal defense law firm of Ktenas Law can help reduce your criminal charges or get them dropped altogether so you can move on with your life. Our skilled weapons charge defense attorney will fight fiercely for your legal rights. Call our law offices today at
312-756-8652 to schedule a no-cost initial consultation.Wed Dec 04 2024
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