Camping in Illinois

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Bazooka Joe71

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My apologies if this is a stupid question...

I live in Indiana and I will be traveling to Illinois in a little less than two weeks to go camping.

Can I take a Marlin 1894s .44mag with me(for unexpected critters)?
 
If State parks or controlled areas or Federal National Forest go to the Illinois Department of Conservation site; you can get your answer straight from the rule maker.

It shall be unlawful for any person, other than authorized peace officers, to display or use on Department-controlled lands, except as authorized by the Department on hunting (reference 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510, 530, 550, 570, 590, 650, 660, 670, 680, 690, 710, 715, 720, 730, and 740), field trials (reference 17 Ill. Adm. Code 910), target or special event areas, any gun including shotgun, rifle, pistol, revolver, air or BB gun, sling shot, bow and arrow, switchblade knife with spring loaded blade, throwing knife, tomahawk or throwing axe, or martial arts devices.
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You also may not sunbathe in the nude.
 
Can I take a Marlin 1894s .44mag with me(for unexpected critters)?
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What unexpected critters are you anticipating? No grizzles. There are rumors of big cats.

The answer is probably no.
 
Southern Ill? I've heard tell that (from some cityfolk, so take it for what it's worth) that away from Carbondale you get into Deliverance country. :rolleyes:
 
From my understanding of Illinois gun laws, you can carry a firearm if it is unloaded and in a designated case.

I definitely know that you will be fine if a police officer stops you on the road, which is probably the most hassle that I can foresee.

Having a handgun in a gun case with a loaded magazine not in the gun should be fine. Don't quote me on that, but as long as they don't search through your bags on the campsite, you will be fine. In a situation where you may have to defend yourself against two or four-legged predators and you don't have a firearm, you may not be fine. That's the way that I see it, especially in areas where it may take many long minutes for help to arrive.
 
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Legally, probably not.

As a resident of the area, I would recommend it. You probably won't see any banjo pickers but chances are good you could come across some "urban" types looking to break into your vehicle or camp. The Rangers that patrol the area tend to have a "God" complex and like to harass park users in the area.

You're also likely to run into members of the "equine" set. They seem to feel they are special and all other users should cater to their whims.

Not much to fear from animals. Coyotes raiding the trash will probably be the main concern. There are a few big cats (mountain lions) in the general area. They are very shy and reclusive, shouldn't be any problems. Ticks are real bad this year, make sure to use the repellent. Occasional copperhead or rattlesnake.
 
Legally, probably not
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You are probably correct john1911.It is not possible through FOPA,BazookaJoe, as it appears Illinois has no provision for you legally ending your trip there with a firearm.
The only exceptions I can find is on publicly recognized target ranges,at bonafide gun shows or in a hunting format where the individual possesses a non-resident hunting license.
Other inquiring minds might have more information.

FOPA:
http://vlex.com/vid/19190852
 
While traveling as long as it is in a case and unloaded you'll comply with IL law. Whether you are legal when camping will depend on where you are camping.
 
The rumors of big cats in Illinois are not rumors. Ask the Northern District Chicago Police. They shot one inside the city limits.
 
I would suggest some caution. Look at this gem of a law.

(720 ILCS 5/21‑6) (from Ch. 38, par. 21‑6)
Sec. 21‑6. Unauthorized Possession or Storage of Weapons.
(a) Whoever possesses or stores any weapon enumerated in Section 33A‑1 in any building or on land supported in whole or in part with public funds or in any building on such land without prior written permission from the chief security officer for such land or building commits a Class A misdemeanor.
(b) The chief security officer must grant any reasonable request for permission under paragraph (a).
(Source: P.A. 89‑685, eff. 6‑1‑97.)
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There was at least one case where even though a firearm was unloaded and within a case where a person was convicted under this statute simply for having the unloaded and encased firearm in a publicly owned facility. She was found not guilty on the UUW charge because the court determined a purse was a case for the purposes of the UUW act, a perfectly rational decision.
 
Jeez, maybe I won't take one.:rolleyes:

It doesn't seem there are any positive outcomes if, heaven forbid I actually had to use it.

Thanks for all of the info guys, it's much appreciated.;)
 
Well a positive outcome of you having to use it would be you being alive. Wherever your priorities lie I guess...
 
The rumors of big cats in Illinois are not rumors.
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I don't doubt it. I personally have never seen one, but one of our customers is a power company in NW IL. One of their guys showed me a photograph one of their linemen had taken of a paw print. I think it was hand sized.

Hey, if it drives the Chicagoons back to the city.....
 
Well a positive outcome of you having to use it would be you being alive. Wherever your priorities lie I guess...
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True.:cool:

OK, for conversation's sake...Say in the highly unlikely event I had to use my Marlin .44mag on a 2 or 4 legged critter and I report it to the popo, is this going to affect my RKBA, or is it going to be a Class A misdemeanor? Neither of which I would want to have to deal with, but I don't want to think like a sheep either.
 
is this going to affect my RKBA, or is it going to be a Class A misdemeanor?
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Can't answer that. Depends on the circumstances of the incident.
However, you want neither on your record. Don't think a Class A misdemeanor is a slap on the wrist. It's not like a speeding ticket. It's a criminal charge that will stay on your record. A Class A is the first step below a felony. A Class can get a person 1 yr in jail and $10K in fines plus court costs. Usually first offenders of Class A don't get the 1 yr but jail time is very likely. At the very least it will mean a trip to jail at the time, fingerprinted, bonding out, and several trips to court meaning you'll be paying out pretty good money for an attorney even if found not guilty or the charges dropped.
 
In a situation where you NEEDED to use it, is your RKBA worth your life? The chances of you getting caught without actually taking it out yourself are negligibly low. Since you know what situation you would be in, you would only take it out in the most dire need. You wouldn't need to use it, but you would have the option. Sometimes that option can be the difference between life and death.

With my life, I wouldn't want to roll the dice with the odds against me. Anything else is secondary.

The law, which is meant to protect you, will do little to keep you alive in that kind of a situation.
 
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Camp in another state or on private land. Send Gov. Blago a nice note explaining why you'd sooner spend your vacation money elsewhere.

Or, roll the dice and keep a low profile.

You could always explain that you wanted to go shooting at the World Shooting Complex at Sparta (?!!! only half kidding--they do have a CAS set up). The 'joke' here in IL is that every onerous gun law they try to pass (AWB, etc) has exemptions if you plan on spending time at the state-owned white elephant of the shooting world.
 
Why not go camping in Indiana?
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Fair question...Because my buddy already had it planned. It has been awhile since I have last been there, but I absolutely loved it when I went and I'm not passing it up just because I can't legally bring a defensive tool with me, nor am I demanding we change plans and stay in Indiana when I am the only one of the bunch that even cares.

Crappy situation, I know.
 
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