Assault weapons charges in Illinois can result in severe penalties upon conviction. Assault weapons are defined differently than other weapons by the state of Illinois, and a guilty conviction of a weapons charge could result in mandatory prison sentences. Penalties for weapons charges will be particularly severe if the charges are coupled with other types of criminal activity, such as burglary, home invasion, carjacking, etc. At Okabe & Haushalter, we are standing by to help if you need a Chicago assault weapon defense attorney by your side. Our team will conduct a full investigation into the charges against you, handle all communication with prosecutors and law enforcement, and fully represent you in court.
What is an assault weapon in Illinois
When we turn to the law in Illinois, we can see that an “assault weapon” is defined as:
- (A) Any rifle which has a belt-fed ammunition system or which has a detachable magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition;
- (B) A semi-automatic rifle that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has any of the following:
- (i) A folding or telescoping stock
- (ii) A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles the barrel, and that
Most people are familiar with assault rifles in one form or another. One of the most commonly referred to assault rifles in the United States, and certainly the most popular amongst gun enthusiasts, is the AR-15. This weapon is one that has been used in various tragic mass shootings across the country over the last few decades.
The state of Illinois does not restrict the sale or possession of assault weapons, and they do not restrict the number of rounds that can be held in a magazine. However, Chicago has banned possession of certain assault rifles, as well as laser sights that could be used on these rifles.
Regardless of whether or not an assault weapon is banned, there are still various laws that must be abided by in these situations. It is certainly illegal to use an assault weapon in the commission of a crime, and doing so could result in enhanced penalties that lead to significant prison sentences. Some of the most common weapons charges that our attorneys help clients with include the following:
- Unlawful Use of Weapons / UUW (720 ILCS 5/24-1)
- Unlawful Use of Weapons by Felon / UUW by Felon (720 ILCS 5/24-1.1)
- Aggravated Unlawful Use of Weapon / Agg UUW (720 ILCS 5/24-1.6)
- Reckless Discharge of a Firearm (720 ILCS 5/24-1.5)
- Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm (720 ILCS 5/24-1.2)
- Attempted First Degree Murder (720 ILCS 5/8-4(a) (720 5/9-1(a)(1))
Contact our assault weapons defense lawyer in Chicago today
If you or somebody you care about is facing assault weapons charges in or around the Chicago area, reach out to the team at Okabe & Haushalter for help today. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling complex criminal defense cases, and we understand what it takes to stand up to aggressive prosecutors and ensure you are treated fairly. Our Chicago assault weapon defense attorney will investigate every aspect of your case in order to determine the best path forward. You can contact us today by clicking here or calling 312-767-3869 for a free consultation.