We think you're near Phoenix

Currently in Phoenix

Location: Phoenix Current temperature: 50°F: Current condition: Partly Cloudy See Extended Forecast

Home defense illustrates injustice of Chicago gun ban

There's been yet another successful dgu (defensive gun use). From ChicagoBreaking News.com:

An off-duty Chicago police officer shot a burglar who broke into his South Side residence this morning, law enforcement sources said.

That's great. I'm delighted the homeowner is safe and an intruder has been repelled.

But regular readers will immediately see where I'm going with this.

Yep, it's Boss Daley Paradise, where the only ones outside of a restricted and diminishing population who can have a handgun for home defense are...the "Only Ones."

Why is that?

From NRA-ILA:

NOTE: In Chicago it is unlawful to keep any firearm unless it has been registered with the Chicago Police at Daley Center. All firearms brought into the city must be registered. The registration certificate (valid for 1 year) must be carried simultaneously with the firearm, and exhibited upon demand of any police officer. Handguns may not be registered after 1982. So-called assault firearms may not be registered.

That's in addition to the state-required FOID card.

Those who think this a good idea will no doubt focus on the allowance to register long guns. Several points of rebuttal could be made:

  • They're not as maneuverable in close quarters.
  • They're generally more powerful, meaning more likely to result in a fatality and more likely to send a bullet that has not been stopped by the target farther--which is a curious position for "common sense gun safety advocates" to take.
  • Just who the hell do these petty dictators think they are, limiting and mandating the choices of other individuals?

Besides which, let's take a look at the registration process. You'd think "register firearm Chicago" would be a pretty good search term, and one of the first hits would be a city webpage telling you how...?

You'd think.

How about if I go to the City of Chicago website and enter "firearm" in the search form? No, that all seems to be anti-gun stuff...

I wonder if the city is trying to tell us something?

Assuming you can find out how to register, prepare for other complications--and while the following is anecdotal, it appears eminently plausible:

I went to my local CPD station and requested a firearm registration form. They must not give them out very often, as it took 3 officers a few minutes to find where they were located...

I was very surprised to receive a notice that my application had been DENIED on the grounds that I had not received a registration certificate prior to taking possession of the firearm. The CPD just assumed that because I had a serial number and acquisition date, the firearm was in my possession in the city. Here’s the paradox of the registration scheme – you cannot register without a serial number and acquisition date… but if you supply that information, they just assume that the gun is in the city and deny you. Very clever. I think it is their default response to ANYONE trying to legally register a firearm.

Well, not "anyone." Not if you're an alderman, that is, a political "Only One," like Richard Mell. He not only helped craft and pass Chicago's current law, but when he forgot to register his own firearms, he simply got Daley and his other privileged cronies to agree to a one-time ordinance to allow for an extension.

Forget it Jake. It's Chi-Town.

And thus the need for Otis McDonald to go to court and seek some sort of justice for ordinary folks...

------------

Gun Talk Radio recap

For those of you who couldn't listen to yesterday's Gun Talk Radio program live, Tom Gresham maintains an archive of past shows.

Click here to access Podcasts.

Photo © Tom Gresham's Gun Talk Radio Show. All rights reserved. 

Appeal to regular readers: If you perceive a value from visiting this site on a regular basis, will you help me build its readership? Please share the link to this column via emails, blogs, forums...
More from Gun Rights Examiners
Atlanta: Ed Stone | Austin: Howard Nemerov | Boston: Ron Bokleman | Charlotte: Paul Valone | Cheyenne: Anthony Bouchard | Chicago: Don Gwinn | Cleveland: Daniel White | DC: Mike StollenwerkDenver: Dan Bidstrup | Fort Smith: Steve D. Jones | Knoxville: Liston Matthews | Los Angeles: John Longenecker | Minneapolis: John Pierce | Parkersburg: Nicholas Arnold | National: David Codrea | Seattle: Dave Workman | St. Louis: Kurt Hofmann | Tucson: Chris Woodard

Click here to find<br />
out more!Click here to find<br />
out more!Click here to find<br />
out more!

Click here to find<br />
out more!

Advertisement

By

Gun Rights Examiner

David Codrea is a long-time gun rights advocate who defiantly challenges the folly of citizen disarmament. He is a field editor for GUNS Magazine,...

Comments

  • citizenjohn 1 year ago
    Report Abuse

    The more gun restrictions that a jurisdiction has, the more corrupt the leadership in that area. They set up the "Only Ones" to watch their backs while they establish the perfect climate for tyranny. That must be the reason...everyone knows restrictions don't lower crime.

  • straightarrow 1 year ago
    Report Abuse

    No, citizen John, the don't lower crime, but they sure make it more profitable and less risky for the tyrants and their protectors to commit more crime.

  • Melancton Smith 1 year ago
    Report Abuse

    That rule requiring registration prior to taking possession of the firearm is one of those challenged in the McDonald suit.

    However, the CPD has unwritten rules. If you register the long arm within 30 days of purchase they will grant you the registration. If denied, though, and you appeal, the 'court' will stick to the letter of the law.

    Here is how the CPD told me to register a long arm stored outside the city. Send in the usual registration accompanied with a letter explaining that the firearm has been stored outside the city. I have not attempted this as of yet.

  • sniper310 1 year ago
    Report Abuse

    I wonder if the off duty chicago officer was accurate enough with his weapon to permanently remove the scum from society. Probably not.

  • Garry (triptyx) 1 year ago
    Report Abuse

    I'm all for "Goose and Gander" laws for these kinds of situations. To wit: Once a Police Officer is off duty, they are under the exact same laws as the rest of their fellow citizens. Gun ban in the city? Leave your weapon at the Station House - you can pick it up when you report for duty in the morning. Fellow citizens can't carry a defensive firearm when going about their daily business, or must do so under permit? Yup, that's right - off duty Police Officers should have to get the same permit or be under the same prohibitions.

    I tell you, that would fluff some feathers and get some rights restored.

  • Ed in Sac 1 year ago
    Report Abuse

    If a "citizen" has to keep their gun locked AT HOME unless actually needed the same should apply to "off duty police" in Chicago. Please explain why an off duty policeman would want to keep their weapon in any less safe condition than a private citizen?

  • David Codrea-Gun Rights Examiner 1 year ago
    Report Abuse

    triptyx touches on something the antis proposed early on and have, for the most part, backed off on at least in terms of publicly telegraphing their intent. They don't wish to alienate an important ally at this stage.

    Ed in Sac asks a good question--to frame it, I believe IL law requires this if there's a chance anyone under 14 can get unauthorized access. Perhaps someone in the know can clarify that.

  • Chuck 1 year ago
    Report Abuse

    I live in Chicago (thank god only for 2 more weeks) and have 2 firearms registered here. When I went to the police station to get a registration form, I was looked at like I was a lunatic. After a few minutes of searching, they finally found the forms and I was told that if it gets rejected, do myself a favor and get rid of the gun. If I went to the appeals hearing and demanded a reason why it was denied, I was told "because we're Chicago. Don't like it? Sue the city". That level of arrogance really put it in perspective for me. For Christmas, I got a Ruger 10/22 which I then tried to register. Request denied, on the grounds that it was a gift (from my wife) and thus classified as a firearms transfer, which is illegal in the city unless it goes via an authorized dealer (of which none exist). So I have a 12 ga. that could put a hole in your gut the size of a watermelon, a 7.62x54r rifle round that has an effective range of 1200 meters, but a .22 caliber is denied. Good job Daley!

Add a new comment

Join the conversation! Log in here or create a new account if you've never registered before.

Got something to say?

Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!

Don't miss...