Are laser sights still banned in Chicago, and if so, is that law being utilized?

[vito]

I rarely go into the city of Chicago anymore, but my wife still wants to make occasional visits to the Art Institute and to the Shedd Aquariam, and of course I prefer to be armed when going to that city. I wonder if I still need to select a firearm for concealed carry that does not have a laser sight installed when visiting Chicago. And yes, I uderstand that it is prohibited to bring a firearm into the Art Institute or the Shedd, but I can still carry while traveling to and from those places. 

[Quiet Observer]

Carrying in both locations is prohibited by Section 65 of the FCCA. According to the Posted! they are posted. 

"(21) Any building, real property, or parking area under the control of a zoo or museum." 

 

Apparently, the laser ban still stands. 

"In the decision, Kocoras wrote, “In sum, the undisputed facts show that ‘a firearm remains an effective weapon without a [laser sight] attached’ and thus a laser sight ‘is not a weapon protected by the Second Amendment. Rather, ‘it is merely an accessory which is unnecessary to the essential operation of a firearm."

Chicago’s Ban on Laser Sights Stands - Gun Tests 

 

 

[John Q Public]

Put a red/green dot on it and call it a day. Hope and fight for sanity, or if you can, move.

[mauserme]

Possession of a laser sight would still violate city code, the follow up question being how often is anyone sited for a violation of Chicago's firearm ordinances? 

 

I think the answer is that enforcement is selective, dependent upon who is in possession, what that person is doing, and the cop in question.  That's just an opinion, though.

 

 

 

 

 

[Monty80]

Chicago likes to use the ban as an add on charge. Get nailed for UUW and have a laser, they hit you with it. Drunk with your EDC on you and it has a laser, they hit you with it. It's selective enforcement more than anything.

[AlphaKoncepts aka CGS]

Legality aside, you really don't want a laser sight. It will ruin your fundamentals and slow down your target acquisition. 

[Jeffrey]

On 3/13/2025 at 11:53 PM, Monty80 said:

Chicago likes to use the ban as an add on charge. Get nailed for UUW and have a laser, they hit you with it. Drunk with your EDC on you and it has a laser, they hit you with it. It's selective enforcement more than anything.

You've just described Chicago's judicial system completely

[RandyP]

My Hoosier brother delights in reminding me just how few 2A rights I am allowed here in Illinois. Does he have a waiting period on gun purchases? is he prohibited from having a threaded barrel, a suppressor or a laser? Nope, nope and nope. Indiana is also now a Constitutional Carry State, NEVER had CCW classes, did provide lifetime carry permits, no dopey mag or semi-auto rifle bans either.

 

Sometimes I forget that Illinois ONLY champions rights if they benefit illegal aliens, while refusing to acknowledge the 2nd Amendment's existence. Silly me.

[John Q Public]

On 3/14/2025 at 7:49 AM, AlphaKoncepts aka CGS said:

Legality aside, you really don't want a laser sight. It will ruin your fundamentals and slow down your target acquisition. 

 

I don't use them, but they do have a place. They open up shots you could otherwise not make. In low light, F/F even lighted sights can be hard to acquire. I know proper training is required in general, but there are many useful shots you can make with one you are not likely to make without one. Also, it depends on skill level, age, eyes etc. There is no one size fits all, keep all the tools in the drawer for those that may need them.  

 

Don't rule out tools that others may use to get a bullet on a target.  We all aren't young, with good eyes and tens of thousands of rounds down range. In fact, most CC will do little training and if it helps them not shoot a good guy, I'm all for it. 

 

 

Edited March 14, 2025 at 07:15 PM by John Q Public

[ealcala31]

On 3/14/2025 at 9:00 AM, RandyP said:

My Hoosier brother delights in reminding me just how few 2A rights I am allowed here in Illinois. Does he have a waiting period on gun purchases? is he prohibited from having a threaded barrel, a suppressor or a laser? Nope, nope and nope. Indiana is also now a Constitutional Carry State, NEVER had CCW classes, did provide lifetime carry permits, no dopey mag or semi-auto rifle bans either.

 

Sometimes I forget that Illinois ONLY champions rights if they benefit illegal aliens, while refusing to acknowledge the 2nd Amendment's existence. Silly me.

I do most of my shooting at North Porter County Conservation Club in Chesterton, IN. US Illinoisans have no clue what 2nd Amendment rights are. You're just talking about Title I firearms, what about Title II firearms, NFA items. Our Hoosier neighbors can own SBRs, SBSs, suppressors, and pre-'86 machineguns. Don't forget the legal sawed-off shotguns called AOWs.