9.60 – Weapons

It is unlawful to, and a person commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons when he knowingly:

1. Sells, manufactures, purchases, possesses or carries any bludgeon, blackjack, slingshot, sandclub, sandbag, metal knuckles, or any knife, commonly referred to as a switchblade knife, which has a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in the handle of the knife; or
2. Carries or possesses with intent to use the same unlawfully against another, a dagger, dirk, billy, dangerous knife, razor, stiletto, broken bottle or other piece of glass, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument of like character; or
3. Carries concealed in any vehicle or concealed on or about his person except when on his land or in his own abode or fixed place of business any pistol, revolver or other firearm; or
4. Carries on or about his person or in any vehicle, a tear gas gun projector or bomb or any object containing noxious liquid gas or substance; or
5. Sets a spring gun; or
6. Possesses any device or attachment of any kind designed, used or intended for use in silencing the report of any firearm; or
7. Sells, manufactures, purchases, possesses or carries any weapon from which more than eight shots or bullets may be discharged by a single function of the firing device, any shotgun with a barrel less than eighteen inches in length, or any bomb, bombshell, grenade, bottle or other container or explosive substance, such as but not limited to black powder bombs and Molotov cocktails; or
8. Carries or possesses any firearm or other deadly weapon in any place which is licensed to sell intoxicating beverages, or at any public gathering held pursuant to license issued by any governmental body or any public gathering at which an admission is charged, excluding a place where a showing, demonstration or lecture involving the exhibition of unloaded firearms is conducted.

The above prohibited acts do not apply to or affect any person who is engaging in conduct otherwise exempt therefrom pursuant to the Criminal Code of 1961, as amended from time to time or as provided by Federal law, as amended from time to time.

It is unlawful to discharge any firearms or air gun in the city; provided, that this section shall not be construed to prohibit any officer of the law from discharging a firearm in the performance of his duty, nor to prohibit any citizen from discharging a firearm when lawfully defending his person or property, nor when discharged pursuant to a written permit authorized by the city council and issued by the mayor.  Such permit shall limit the time and place for the firing and shall be issued only if for memorial services for the dead, burials, or such other circumstances where the city council shall find the public health and safety not be damaged; provided, however, only one permit not limited as to time or place shall be required of a nationally recognized Veteran's organization open to veterans of the armed services of the United States of America for memorial services for the dead and for burials. The city council shall have the right to specify conditions attached to such permit.

It is unlawful for any person to engage in killing any animal other than prescribed by law in the city.

Unless otherwise provided for by law, it is unlawful for any person to have in his possession, or on or about his person, concealed or otherwise, any firearm, including, without limitation, a handgun, rifle, shotgun, paintball gun, or any other device capable of discharging a projectile by air upon any public supported land except at those areas designated for use as a firing range.  Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent sworn peace officers from carrying such weapons as may be authorized and necessary in the discharge of their duties, nor shall it apply to any person summoned by such officer to assist in making arrests or preserving the peace while such person is so engaged or assisting.
(Ord. 2007-M-34 § 1.)

The above prohibited acts do not apply to or affect any person who is engaging in conduct otherwise exempt therefrom pursuant to the Criminal Code of 1961, as amended from time to time or to any person who possesses a license to carry a concealed firearm pursuant to the Firearm Concealed Carry Act (43 ILCS 66/1 et seq.) or as provided by Federal law, as amended from time to time.