Chicago shootings put spotlight on Illinois gun laws

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Chicago violence hurts Mayor Rahm Emanuel's political future

Several of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's 10 challengers slammed the prominent Democrat for the city's soaring crime and blamed him for everything from an understaffed police force to a lack of investment in Chicago's economically downtrodden neighborhoods.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s critics have blamed him for an understaffed police force and a lack of investment in Chicago’s economically downtrodden neighborhoods, leading to extraordinarily deadly gun violence in the city.

But the violence also raised questions, however, about the impact of gun laws. The city does not have the toughest gun laws in the country, as some have claimed. Illinois is ranked eighth among states with the strongest gun laws by the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

Read on for a look at some of the gun laws in Illinois and Chicago specifically.

Licensing

To purchase a firearm in Illinois, one must obtain a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card.

To obtain a FOID card, one must be a legal citizen of the U.S. and have a valid driver’s license. The cards cost $10.

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FOID cards will not be issued to anyone who has been convicted of domestic battery, aggravated domestic battery or a similar offense. They also won’t be issued to anyone who has been a patient at a mental institution or treated for a mental illness in the past 5 years.

Minimum age to purchase

Illinois residents must be 21 to obtain a FOID card. However, individuals who are at least 18 years old can legally possess a firearm and ammunition with the written consent of an eligible parent or legal guardian.

Concealed carry

Individuals at least 21 years of age – who have not been treated for alcohol or drug abuse or been convicted of a misdemeanor related to the use of physical force in the past five years – can apply for a concealed carry license.

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In order to apply, one must have at least 16 hours of concealed carry firearms training by a certified instructor with valid certification. The application fee is $150 for residents and $300 for non-residents.

Waiting periods

The state of Illinois has waiting periods for the sale of guns. According to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, the waiting period is 24 hours for long guns and 72 hours for handguns.

However, non-Illinois residents do not have to adhere to the waiting period when purchasing long guns at gun shows, according to the nonprofit.

The waiting periods give the Illinois Department of State Police the time to approve or deny the purchase of guns at licensed dealers and gun shows, according to the law center.

Open carry

Open carry is prohibited in the state of Illinois within city, village or incorporated town limits, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. This does not apply to a person’s own land, home or business.

There are some exemptions to this ban, including for concealed carry holders who might have a partially exposed handgun, according to the nonprofit.

Red flag law

Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican, signed the state’s red flag law in July 2018. The law allows for police to temporarily seize firearms from someone deemed to be a danger to themselves or others.

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Family members or other individuals, such as a roommate, can seek a court order of protection for the confiscation of firearms.

Firearms ban

The city of Chicago has banned more than 150 types of guns. This ban includes: semiautomatic handguns or rifles with a detachable magazine, semiautomatic rifles with a magazine that can hold more than 10 rounds and shotguns with a revolving cylinder.

Gun stores

In Chicago, gun stores, which are only allowed in designated areas in the city, must record on video the sales of firearms.

Individuals can also only purchase guns once every month.

Gun store employees also have to pass background checks and be trained on how to spot individuals who might be purchasing a gun for someone else.

Silencers

It’s illegal to possess a silencer, according to the lobbying arm of the National Rifle Association.

Fox News’ Terace Garnier, Andrew O’Reilly and The Associated Press contributed to this report.