Learning Curve as Concealed Carry Law goes into Effect in Illinois

 Posted on January 30, 2014 in Weapons

One of our more recent blog posts discussed the new concealed carry law that went into effect in Illinois starting in the New Year. Now, many news outlets are reporting on some of the obstacles and challenges the implementation of that law is bringing up in practice. Lawmakers are proposing bills that provide for harsher punishments for carrying guns in prohibited zones such as schools, penalize instructors who fail to train properly, and decrease the age for legally carrying a weapon.

Penalties for Carrying in Prohibited Zones

Some were surprised to learn that the new law changed the penalty for possessing a firearm in a school from a felony for the first offense to a misdemeanor the first two times an individual is charged with the crime. Changes propose increasing the penalty associated with having a gun in school, in addition to other places where they are prohibited by law, including libraries, parks, and on mass transit vehicles, as well as adding places of worship.

Advocates of gun rights are not so enthusiastic about the increased measures. They point out that any law will likely only matter to those law-abiding citizens who choose to follow it. They suggest letting the law play out for a while and seeing how the new law works, before going ahead with any suggested changes to the legislation.

Gun-Safety Training

Even those who have expressed opposition to increased penalties for those caught having a firearm in a prohibited zone are on board with stricter regulations for gun safety instructors. Other proposed legislation seeks to change punishments for those gun-safety instructors who falsify their training records. Instructors are required to give 16 hours of instruction on gun safety procedures. If they falsely allege they did so, they may serve jail time and face losing their own license to carry a weapon.

Lowering the Legal Age to Carry

Currently, the law allows for those citizens over the age of 21 to apply for a license to carry. Another proposed change to the law would include lowering that age to 18.

In addition to these changes, many are also expressing concerns over how the law will apply to those with mental health issues. Some representative are saying that these concerns are coming directly from citizens, who are wondering what protections the law affords to ensure those who suffer with mental illness are not getting access to guns.

An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you understand new laws, the consequences of violating them, and how they apply to you. If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime involving a firearm in Illinois, we can advise you of your rights. Contact us today.