Collinsville Gun Crime Lawyer

Gun Crime Attorney in Collinsville, IL

Facing gun crime charges in Illinois is a serious issue. Some gun crimes can be on the state level, while others are on the federal level. Illinois is one of the stricter states when it comes to gun laws, so it is important to understand this legal landscape and what is required of gun owners and potential gun owners. A Collinsville gun crime lawyer can help you understand this legal landscape and advocate on your behalf if you are charged with a gun crime.

If you are facing gun crime charges, speak with a Collinsville criminal defense lawyer today.

Illinois Gun Requirements

In Illinois, as with other states, there are requirements that a person must fulfill before they can legally own a gun. Illinois residents need a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card to own or purchase a firearm or ammunition.

A Concealed Carry License (CCL) is required to carry a firearm, and requires a background check and at least 16 hours of training. Transporting firearms without a concealed carry license is legal, but guns must be unloaded, placed in a case, and made inaccessible.

Furthermore, all firearm transfers, including private sales, are subject to background checks through the Illinois State Police. In addition to these laws, Illinois has bans on specific assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, unless they are properly registered. Gun owners are also required to report lost or stolen guns. If they do not, this can result in fines, license suspension, or revocation.

New Gun Laws

In 2025, new bills were signed that affect gun usage and ownership. House Bill 1373 requires law enforcement to trace all firearms recovered at crime scenes, abandoned or lost, or where there is reason to believe the firearms were used unlawfully. The statute obligates agencies to join the ATF’s eTrace network and contribute ballistic evidence (NIBIN) to investigate crime guns.

Senate Bill 0008, now signed into law, amends the Criminal Law Article to require safe storage of firearms. The requirement applies if a minor, a person at risk, or a prohibited person has access to the firearm. Penalties for violations range from $500 to over $10,000, depending on the consequences of the violation.

The law establishes that safe storage violations can be applied as negligence per se evidence during civil proceedings. The revised law decreases the timeframe for reporting lost or stolen firearms to 48 hours instead of 72 hours.

Common Gun Law Violations

Illinois has very detailed and extensive firearm laws. While these laws are meant to provide additional protection to the public, they can also leave gun owners facing serious charges if they are in violation, sometimes without realizing it. Some of the most common gun violations include:

• Unlawful possession of a weapon
• Possessing prohibited weapons, including assault-style firearms
• Improper storage of firearms
• Not reporting lost or stolen weapons

Whether or not a person intended to commit one of these crimes in Collinsville, they can still be charged. Gun crime penalties are often severe and need the help of a Collinsville gun crime attorney to help fight for your case.

Gun Crime Statistics in Illinois

Gun violence and other gun-related crimes have been present in Illinois. While gun crime laws continuously evolve over time to accommodate modern changes while also keeping the general public safe, this does not completely eliminate the presence of gun crime. Consider the following statistics:

• Illinois experienced 1,691 gun-related deaths in 2023, which included 962 homicides and 688 suicides.
• Guns were the leading cause of death for ages 1–17.
• In 2023, Illinois had the 10th-highest overall gun homicide rate in the nation.
• Between 2014 and 2023, the overall gun death rate went up by 48%.

These statistics show the deep necessity of gun crime defense.

About The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC

The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC is an Edwardsville criminal defense law firm located close to the Madison County Courthouse. Jessica Koester is a criminal defense attorney who has spent her career representing individuals accused of the most serious criminal charges in state and federal court.

Having seen firsthand how the system so often fails the accused, she has dedicated her practice to providing aggressive representation fortified with decades of trial experience. As a Collinsville criminal defense attorney, Jessica approaches every gun charge or felony offense with a profound awareness of the potential impact on her clients’ futures.

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Hire a Gun Crime Lawyer Today

If you have been charged with a gun crime, you can still fight for your future. Hire a gun crime lawyer at The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC today to help you in the legal battle. Contact us today to get started.