Will your criminal record prevent you from “Conceal and Carry” in Illinois?
With passage 430 ILCS 66, which allows an individual to legally carry a concealed firearm. There are some criminal offenses that do not qualify for expungement and an individual cannot expunge a charge on their criminal record if they have even a single conviction, or have pleaded guilty to the charge. The expungement laws do allow for expungement of non-convictions such as arrests resulting in an acquittal
or dismissals. There are other alternatives, such as Restoring your Civil Rights, to obtain your Conceal and Carry License after a conviction. I would encourage anyone wanting to ultimately obtain a permit to allow him or her to carry a concealed firearm to make sure any arrests that qualifies for expungement, are in fact expunged prior to submitting an application to the Illinois State Police.
The Firearm Concealed Carry Act, 430 ILCS 66, allows an eligible individual to legally carry a concealed firearm with a valid Concealed Carry License. There are requirements a person must meet in order to obtain a license. The Illinois State Police looks at the criminal record of an individual and bases their decision as to whether to issue such a license to an individual. Section 15 of the new law provides that “any law enforcement agency may submit an objection to a license applicant based upon a reasonable suspicion that the applicant is a danger to himself or herself or others, or a threat to public safety”. This is obviously purposefully vague language that serves to open the door for objections by law enforcement agencies. For more information on this topic, please visit the expungement section of our website, or Call or email us 309-797-9000.
By: Hanna & Ruud, LLC Attorneys at Law – June 9, 2015