I can kind of see this thread headed there already due to the nature of the beast, so here's a reminder before I go into the rest of my posting:
Be careful what you are posting. It has been posted in various places that this site does not advocate nor condone violating the law. Given this particular subject, it would be easy to see how we could go down that avenue, given the topic at hand of a person who defended themselves (legally) with a firearm, but who is being charged with carrying a firearm (illegally). I can see where I might say something that, on the surface, sounds like "common sense" but which would be contrary to the site's guidelines.
I know no one wants to heat this, but she did break one of their laws. I know none of us here like the gun laws in Illinois.
IMHO we should obey the laws of the land wherever we go least we end up like the woman in the story or worse.
I do hope that go easy on her or just let the whole matter drop.
It's not that "no one wants to heat [sic] this", it's that we actually NEED to hear this.
To ignore this skirts a very important aspect of carrying (concealed or otherwise). To wit, knowing and understanding the laws associated with carrying a firearm, and complying with the jurisdictional laws.
This case, in my opinion (which will get you a cup of coffee at McDonalds if you add a dollar to it), is a classic "Catch-22" scenario.
I suppose we can argue the specific circumstances all day long, but this presupposes you're in a life-threatening situation in which your weapon of choice is not legal (for whatever reason).
"Better tried by 12 than carried by 6" sounds great...until one day it IS you and your life has been turned completely upside down, you're embroiled in years of court appearances and expenses, lost untold amounts of money, possibly incurred so many debts that you've lost your house, and all kinds of other things.
For some, suddenly life doesn't look all that appealing any more.
My way of thinking is the DA should drop charges. If he doesnt a judge should throw it out. If that fails you must be found guilty by 12 of your peers.
Im probably wrong though.
In an ideal world, this wouldn't come up in the first place. In the next best world, it's decided that no charges will be filed. Go down the line from there.
What I think about this (see my earlier comment about the value of my opinion) is that Chicago will weighing their options.
On the one hand, Chicago is an admitted pro-gun control city, and a very powerful advocate thereof. They will not want to be seen accepting something like this.
On the other hand, Chicago didn't have much luck on gun control in the Supreme Court. This may not be a case they would want to, perhaps, eventually be elevated that high.
What are the odds of a case like this getting elevated that high? I'll leave that to the attorneys on the site, because I certainly have no idea. And even if it does get elevated that high, the odds of "winning" once at the top aren't necessarily assured, either. Again...the attorneys here can speak to this...but it strongly hinges on how they choose to approach the case in defense. And that's a complicated path to walk.