Weapons Charge May Result from Posting Gun Images on Social Media

Illinois law requires residents who wish to own weapons to apply for a Firearm Owners Identification card. Law enforcement officials may, however, rescind an individual’s FOID card for a variety of reasons, including domestic violence or mental health issues.

As noted by The Chicago Tribune, Illinois does not have a reliable method to determine whether individuals with a revoked FOID card still possess a weapon. Individuals with a rescinded FOID card also do not always receive a notice that they can no longer own a gun.

Displaying an unlawful possession of weapons may provide evidence

As noted by WGN News, when officials revoke an individual’s FOID card, he or she must surrender or transfer any guns within 48 hours. Posing with weapons online, however, may serve as evidence of not complying with the law.

Officials may use contents and information posted over the internet to trace an individual’s identity and location. If law enforcement discovers that an individual posing with a gun online does not have a valid FOID card, it may result in an arrest and weapons charge.

Posing with a gun results in a two-year sentence

Law enforcement officials discovered cell phone images taken by a 23-year-old man with prior felony convictions. After verifying the authenticity of the pistol in the images, officials filed charges. Upon conviction, he received a two-year sentence for the unlawful use of a weapon, as reported by The News-Gazette.

An individual in possession of weapons who cannot lawfully own them may result in his or her arrest and a Class Three felony charge. A sentence for a first-time offense includes between two and 10 years of incarceration. An individual charged with a subsequent offense may spend between three and 14 years in prison if convicted.