I'm driving up with family to Chigago for 2 days to get my brother from Loyola U.   First time there ever,  any bars to recommend on a friday night for a 27 year old that are close to the university?

Also...  I'm tossing my BOB in the car with me as I always do on trips.  I usually keep my p99 and at least 200rds and half dozen loaded mags in it.  Bad idea for this trip?  I know the odds of getting caught are slim to none and that I will be breaking the law, but considering, yes or no would you do the same?  It will just be kept in the BOB and hotel room with me, never carried on my person even though I have a MO CCW.

Worth the risk?

Last time I drove through Chicago, I followed the law of the land. The right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

TXL

Don't get caught within Cook County with a handgun.  You'll be up shit creek.  You'd be better off throwing a shotgun in a case in the trunk.

I'm tempted.  I guess I'll just throw my shotgun in the trunk with 100 rds of buck/slugs.

Be careful.  A socialist stronghold is no place to get arrested for a gun, and there is the added challenge that a cop from that area is likely to be more of a prick, and more likely to search without a warrant.

Every time I drive through Illinois my ass puckers very tight.  I'll leave it to you to figure out why.

Having been carjacked before, however, my final decision was along the lines of "fuck them".

Whatever you do, have some Giordano's or Gino's East while you are up there.  


There are neighborhoods close to Loyola that are not the best neighborhoods after dark.  Not really dangerous or anything (not like the projects, obviously), but I've known people to be mugged around there (at the movie theatre down the street).

Have you reviewed Illinois firearms laws and Cook County's "extra-special" laws?

Are you prepared for the consequences and have retained legal counsel in Chicago?

Packing.Org's Illinois page

Illinois State Police Firearms Page

How can I legally transport a firearm on my person or in my vehicle? There is more than one way to legally transport a firearm. However, in order to be in compliance with all statutes, it is recommended all firearms be transported: * Unloaded, * Enclosed in a case and, * By persons who have a valid FOID card. What constitutes a legal "case" for transporting a firearm? The Criminal Code refers to "a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container." However, the Wildlife Code is more specific, defining case as "a container specifically designed for the purpose of housing a gun or bow and arrow device which completely encloses such gun or bow and arrow device by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened with no portion of the gun or bow and arrow device exposed."   How do I transport a firearm through an Illinois community with an ordinance that prohibits firearms or handguns? Illinois' Unlawful Use of Weapons law does not preempt local ordinances from banning firearms. Persons carrying or transporting firearms through such communities could be subject to local firearm ordinances. It is recommended that you contact local authorities regarding their firearm ordinances. If a non-resident is coming to Illinois to hunt and would like to bring their firearm, how do they legally transport it? Non- residents must be legally eligible to possess or acquire firearms and ammunition in their state of residence. It is recommended that, in order to be in compliance with all statutes, non-residents transport all firearms: * Unloaded, and * Enclosed in a case, and * Not immediately accessible or broken down in a nonfunctioning state. Is it legal to have ammunition in the case with the firearm? Yes, so long as the firearm is unloaded and properly enclosed in a case.

Illinis has actual legal definitions of the allowable exemptions under which a non-resident may bring a firearm into the state (one is hunting):

(430 ILCS 65/2) Sec. 2. Firearm Owner's Identification Card required; exceptions. (a) (1) No person may acquire or possess any firearm within this State without having in his or her possession a Firearm Owner's Identification Card previously issued in his or her name by the Department of State Police under the provisions of this Act. (2) No person may acquire or possess firearm ammunition within this State without having in his or her possession a Firearm Owner's Identification Card previously issued in his or her name by the Department of State Police under the provisions of this Act. (b) The provisions of this Section regarding the possession of firearms and firearm ammunition do not apply to: (1) United States Marshals, while engaged in the operation of their official duties; (2) Members of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard, while engaged in the operation of their official duties; (3) Federal officials required to carry firearms, while engaged in the operation of their official duties; (4) Members of bona fide veterans organizations which receive firearms directly from the armed forces of the United States, while using the firearms for ceremonial purposes with blank ammunition; (5) Nonresident hunters during hunting season, with valid nonresident hunting licenses and while in an area where hunting is permitted; however, at all other times and in all other places these persons must have their firearms unloaded and enclosed in a case; (6) Those hunters exempt from obtaining a hunting license who are required to submit their Firearm Owner's Identification Card when hunting on Department of Natural Resources owned or managed sites; (7) Nonresidents while on a firing or shooting range recognized by the Department of State Police; however, these persons must at all other times and in all other places have their firearms unloaded and enclosed in a case; (8) Nonresidents while at a firearm showing or display recognized by the Department of State Police; however, at all other times and in all other places these persons must have their firearms unloaded and enclosed in a case; (9) Nonresidents whose firearms are unloaded and enclosed in a case; (10) Nonresidents who are currently licensed or registered to possess a firearm in their resident state; (11) Unemancipated minors while in the custody and immediate control of their parent or legal guardian or other person in loco parentis to the minor if the parent or legal guardian or other person in loco parentis to the minor has a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card; (12) Color guards of bona fide veterans organizations or members of bona fide American Legion bands while using firearms for ceremonial purposes with blank ammunition; (13) Nonresident hunters whose state of residence does not require them to be licensed or registered to possess a firearm and only during hunting season, with valid hunting licenses, while accompanied by, and using a firearm owned by, a person who possesses a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card and while in an area within a commercial club licensed under the Wildlife Code where hunting is permitted and controlled, but in no instance upon sites owned or managed by the Department of Natural Resources; (14) Resident hunters who are properly authorized to hunt and, while accompanied by a person who possesses a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card, hunt in an area within a commercial club licensed under the Wildlife Code where hunting is permitted and controlled; and (15) A person who is otherwise eligible to obtain a Firearm Owner's Identification Card under this Act and is under the direct supervision of a holder of a Firearm Owner's Identification Card who is 21 years of age or older while the person is on a firing or shooting range or is a participant in a firearms safety and training course recognized by a law enforcement agency or a national, statewide shooting sports organization. (c) The provisions of this Section regarding the acquisition and possession of firearms and firearm ammunition do not apply to law enforcement officials of this or any other jurisdiction, while engaged in the operation of their official duties. (Source: P.A. 91‑694, eff. 4‑13‑00; 92‑839, eff. 8‑22‑02.)

Obviously the State of Illinois restricts your rights and doesn't respect the 2nd Amendment.  Be warned.

There's a huge vault in the town of Morton Grove that you can store your weapon in while visiting.

AB