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* The Cook County State’s Attorney’s office did its best to play down the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling that struck down a gun control law last week…
Cook County prosecutors will drop weapons charges pending against a small number of licensed firearms owners after the Illinois Supreme Court ruled this week that part of a state gun law is unconstitutional.
The Illinois Supreme Court ruled Thursday that state prosecutors must follow a ruling from a federal appeals court last year that ended Illinois’ status as the last state without a concealed carry law.
The ruling from the state’s highest court affects only a portion of a law prohibiting people from carrying guns outside their homes. Cases of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon brought against people who have valid FOID cards and were carrying firearms will not be pursued, prosecutors and defense attorneys said. […]
“It’s going to be a very, very small percentage of those charged,” said Fabio Valentini, who heads the Cook County state’s attorney’s office’s criminal prosecutions bureau. The office does not plan to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, according to a spokeswoman.
* From the Twitters today…
After IL Supreme Ct rules AUUW gun charge unconstitutional, Cook Co States Atty drops charge against 80, incl 20 in County Jail.
— MikeFlanneryFOX32 (@PoliticalEditor) September 17, 2013
Eighty people is probably a small percentage of those charged with violating the law, but that’s still quite a lot of people.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Sep 17, 13 @ 11:45 am
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Another defeat on gun control for Cook County Democrats. Will they ever learn?
Comment by reformer Tuesday, Sep 17, 13 @ 12:06 pm
There were posters on the Trib website claiming the number ran much higher–I won’t post the number they claimed as it is the internet, mind you.
It is in the interest of the SAO to minimize the number, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it ran much higher.
Comment by TRib Reader Tuesday, Sep 17, 13 @ 12:10 pm
I should clarify that the posters were claiming to be law enforcement.
Comment by TRib Reader Tuesday, Sep 17, 13 @ 12:11 pm
So, if those charges were dropped, can we assume that any new charges would also be dropped? Would any new charges even be brought? Does that mean defacto CCW is already in effect?
Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Sep 17, 13 @ 12:32 pm
the number we are hearing is closer to 2000 cases. SAs across the state are bracing for a slew of motions to vacate and to nullify plea deals.
The story on Fox last night was illuminating. And at the same time, you have a charge against a man in Lake county.
its going to get interesting.
Comment by Todd Tuesday, Sep 17, 13 @ 12:41 pm
“the number we are hearing is closer to 2000 cases.”
If Cook dismisses more than 100 cases, I’ll donate $100 to Rich’s favorite charity.
Your number is ridiculous.
Comment by Lobo Y Olla Tuesday, Sep 17, 13 @ 12:45 pm
“…that ended Illinois’ status as the last state without a concealed carry law.”
No one ever really gets the “other 49 states” information right.
Technically, a number of states don’t have concealed carry laws in the sense they have unrestricted carry — open or concealed — without a permit. They are Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Vermont and Wyoming.
Vermont doesn’t even have a mechanism to issue a state permit for other-state reciprocity.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Sep 17, 13 @ 12:46 pm
I saw the FOX 32 story last night on one of the prisoners to be released, yes I admit it I watched FOX. The story of this African American who had both a valid FOID and an out of state concealed carry permit was compelling.
His car was stopped and a loaded hand gun was found, he showed his identification and was promptly arrested. He was offered several chances to plead guilty and be released for time served. Because he did not want a criminal record and wanted his day in court he sat in Cook County jail for 14 months. That was hardly speedy justice.
Comment by Rod Tuesday, Sep 17, 13 @ 1:15 pm
remember, any being dismissed were charged purely under the AUUW law. No other aggravating factors. These folks had FOID cards, were not felons, were not in the commission of another crime, were not under age, etc, etc.
to have 20+ people sitting in one county jail for that (an unconstitutional law). and 80 cases in one county already admitted to?
Comment by RonOglesby Tuesday, Sep 17, 13 @ 1:34 pm
@Word
the papers rarely get anything about guns or gun laws right.
Comment by RonOglesby Tuesday, Sep 17, 13 @ 1:37 pm
Rod-agree-not speedy trial, but what choice did he have? Pleading guilty probably would show up as a firearms offense, voiding FOID card and concealed carry cards, including IL future card. False arrest lawsuit, anyone?
Comment by downstate commissioner Tuesday, Sep 17, 13 @ 1:38 pm
@Downstate,
exactly, they get you plea out, you now have a firearm conviction on your record. You give up all gun rights for life potentially and with that on your record background checks, clearances, jobs with financial institutions become hard to get…
Comment by RonOglesby Tuesday, Sep 17, 13 @ 1:40 pm
@Rod - that is stunning. I wasn’t going to watch the FOX segment but am definitely looking it up now. Thanks for sharing that.
Any news on Donne Trotter’s case?
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Sep 17, 13 @ 1:46 pm
@Formerly
I am pretty sure Trotter plead down to a misdemeanor.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 17, 13 @ 1:57 pm
@ Lobo Y Olla
This article now shows prosecutors are at 103 (at least) in just 2 days since your post. Willing to do the donation now?
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/23470922/edward-hambrick-freed-from-jail-after-gun-law-ruled-unconstitutional#ixzz2fJj841Vx
Comment by RonOglesby Thursday, Sep 19, 13 @ 9:39 am
I hear crickets.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Sep 19, 13 @ 9:47 am