Traveling thru Chicago ???

[Mjclemm]

Hello guys, kinda new here and love the forums.. Got a quick question for ya... What's the best way to carry a handgun in my car driving thru Illinois ? I will be driving past Chicago for a bit, but want to make sure I do it right and don't cause any trouble. I live in Wisconsin and the Handgun is registered to me but I want to take it with me to Ohio for some target shooting with my Brother that lives in Westlake Ohio...should I put the gun in a case, with the trigger lock on it, then lock the case and carry the ammo in the back seat? It's a Ruger GP100, 6" barrel .357 Magnum, sure that doesn't make a differance, but just trying to give all the info I can.... I am also taking some rifles and shotguns, but the handgun is what I'm concerned with... I thank you all in advance for any info I can get.. Sincerly, Michael J.... Thanks..

[feralmerril]

Dont do as I did 50 years ago! I was driveing through chicago from down south to wisconsin in my 56 chev. I stopped at a diner, locked my keys in the car. It was late so I walked to a nearby cheap motel. The next morning I was trying to hook my keys out and as it was at the front door of a busy cafe soon there was a half dozzen people trying to give me advice as to which way manuever the coat hanger. Of a sudden one guy almost yelled he`s got a big gun on the floor! Sure nuff my revolver had slid forward from under the drivers seat. I just said yup! Everything I own is in that car. One of the people was a preacher and he drove me to the dealer and we got a ring of keys and was able to open the door. I tried to pay the preacher and he refused so I told him to put the bill in the offering plate sunday. No cops got involved. I would hate for that to happen today.
I am no lawyer and dont know illinois law. I am hap hazzard, a gambler and trust in God. I would simply well secret the gun and forget about it. It`s worked for me for over 70 years. I also would obey the speed limit, wear a cap over my mohawk, cover my tatts, and cover my romney bumper sticker.

[VPNAVY]

Take a look (might print it for your trip) Transport Your Firearm Legally - State of Illinois - State Police. Now, jump down to HOW CAN I LEGALLY TRANSPORT A FIREARM...1. Unloaded, and 2. Enclosed in a case, and...

[H Richard]

If possible do not go through Chicago at all. They are disowned by the rest of the state as anti-gun. The IL law is the gun must be unloaded, in a case, and inaccessible to the driver of the car. Lock it in the trunk. In So. IL just put it in a case and put it in the glove compartment, (unloaded).

[cmort666]

Google "FOPA" and follow the instructions to the letter.

Stay out of Chicago, follow FOPA and you should be ok.

Spend as little money in Illinois as humanly possible.

I don't know if Ohio has reciprocity with Wisconsin on CCW. If it does, go to the Ohio Attorney General's website and download the CHL book for a good summary of relevant CCW law. The most important to remember is that you MUST notify a cop that you have a license and are carrying (but ONLY if you are CARRYING) and are stopped for a "law enforcement purpose". Shout over him if you have to in order to inform. They've been known to tell people to shut up then cite them for failure to notify.

BTW, your brother wouldn't own an import company in Rocky River, would he?

[bigolddave]

Where are you in Wisconsin? If I have to go east, I will go south on 39 to Champaign, and then head east. It is farther, but it avoids Chicago, which as far as I am concerned is not the real Illinois.

[feralmerril]

I had bad luck everytime I went through chicago unless it was to just switch planes at o`hare. Once I was switching from greyhound to trailway. The dumb kid I was I slapped my shirt pocket where my company checks were. Like saying, its right here boys! I got to the other terminal slapped again and it was gone. I only had a few bucks left in my wallet and with reporting the theft etc, missed the bus. I spent the night in a flop house. This also was about 50 years ago and in those days I didnt have plastic. My money was gone that I was going to buy christmas presents with etc. I stopped payment on the checks. Borrowed from my folks to get back to louisanna on the job. Walked into a cafe I was a regular at down there and the waitress attacked me as I had just cashed a check before leaveing and somehow that one bounced too.
On another third trip going through I switched trains. I had left hot texas and got off at chicago in about a - 100 degree weather differance and was clawing through my suitcase for more cloths with my nose running a foot, finaly got home and came down with flu and strep throat to where I couldnt whisper. All three of those trips were going home for christmas. Yet another time I had a late flight and missed the connection. There were several hundred of us that had to try sleeping on floors and benchs for a extra day on our chtistmas vacations! That was at least 5 bad trips through chicago! I dont think the lord wants me in chicago!
Another time I went home and got my dad who was in the earlier stage off alzheimers and drove him back to california with me. When we got to my home in california he insisted on going back to the home place in wisconsin. I was up to my eyeballs in trouble in california to take care of and couldnt leave for awhile. I was assured by the airlines they would personnaly take dad through the connecting flight at o`hare. I had my best friend in wisconsin be at the gate at home to get him. Something happened in chicago and dad was wandering the terminal and missed that flight. Finaly my buddy did somehow locate and get him. My buddy and my family back home gave me the a-- chewing of my life when I got back there a few weeks later! Those were tough days of my life back then in other areas too! If there is one town in the united states at the bottom of the list for me, it`s chicago!

[Doug M.]

Trunk. Locked in case.

Go around on I80; 90 and 94 suck unless you go through in the middle of the night.