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What Are the Consequences of Unlawful Use of a Weapon in Illinois?
Across the United States, firearms and other weapons are highly regulated in an attempt to keep them out of the hands of wrongdoers and to keep citizens safe. The state of Illinois is no exception. Illinois has some relatively strict laws when it comes to the possession and use of firearms and other weapons. These laws exist as a means to protect people and to keep the community safe, which is why a conviction for unlawful use of a weapon charge has the possibility of resulting in a misdemeanor or even a felony charge in some situations. The severity of the charge will depend on the circumstances surrounding the incident, which is why it is important to discuss the details of your case with a skilled criminal defense lawyer.
What Constitutes an Illinois UUW Charge?
When it comes to the unlawful use of weapons charge in Illinois, there are various situations in which you could be charged with this crime. However, the most common reason people are charged with a UUW charge is because of a firearm owner’s identification (FOID) card or a concealed carry violation. In the state of Illinois, any person who wishes to legally possess and purchase a firearm must apply for and receive a FOID card. Gun owners who wish to carry their firearm on their person or transport it in their vehicle must receive a concealed carry permit stating that they are allowed to do so.
Penalties for UUW Convictions
For the most part, the majority of UUW incidents will likely be charged as misdemeanor charges. However, there is a possibility that those misdemeanor charges could be increased to felony charges if your situation called for it. A person who is charged with unlawful use of a weapon for a FOID card or concealed carry violation will likely be charged with a Class A misdemeanor as long as this is his or her first instance of this nature. This means that he or she can face up to one year in jail and up to $2,500 in fines. For second or subsequent violations, the person would likely be charged with a Class 3 felony, which carries a possible sentence of two to five years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
Contact a Rolling Meadows, IL Criminal Defense Attorney
As a United States citizen, you do have the right to own, purchase, and possess various types of firearms. However, you must also be sure to follow all state and federal guidelines when possessing a firearm, otherwise, you could face serious unlawful use of weapons penalties. If you are facing any weapons violation charge in Illinois, you should speak with a skilled Arlington Heights, IL unlawful use of weapons defense lawyer. Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law has more than 25 years of experience in the area of criminal law and can help you defend against any criminal charges you may be facing. To schedule a free consultation, call our office today at 847-253-3400.
Sources:
https://12.43.67.2/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=072000050HArt%2E+24&ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&SeqStart=68600000&SeqEnd=72000000
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=1999&ChapterID=55
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