Driving me crazy... what rifle CAN I buy?

S

shaunpain

New member
Okay... so I really want to know exactly how I can get the guns I want living in Chicago. I already own bolt action rifles, an SKS, a shotgun, and several pistols. Of course, I want more children to round out my family... so given this:

Section 8-20-010 defines what constitutes an assault weapon:

"Assault weapon"
(1) A semiautomatic rifle that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has
one or more of the following:

(i) a folding or telescoping stock
(ii) a handgun grip which protrudes conspicuously beneath the action
(iii) a bayonet mount
(iv) a flash suppressor or a barrel having a threaded muzzle
(v) a grenade launcher; or

Section 8-20-170 declares that assault weapons are unregisterable.

... where can I go from there? I understand that anything over 12 round magazine is illegal, but 10 round magazines are made for most guns, so not an issue. I don't want a mini 14, my brother already has one. So what are my options? Is buying an AR lower separate from the upper legal? Is buying a complete AR with 10 rounders okay? ARGH!! Can anyone help?
 
You may be able to get a number of AK-variants.

For example, there are the Saiga sporters which usually have the "monte carlo" type stocks so they don't violate any of those silly rules (no threaded muzzle, no bayonet lug, etc). These are pretty decent quality guns, made at the same Russian factory as the original military AK's. They come in a decent assortment of chamberings (5.45, .223/5.56, 7.62x39, .308). They can be outfitted with Dragunov-style skeleton stocks, or other aftermarket options, as far as federal law is concerned (for instance in regards to 922r concerns), such stocks are not considered pistol grips, but can't say for sure if Chicago/Illinois agrees.

There are also the various VEPR AK variants, also made in Russia and of very good quality, also a wide assortment of calibers to choose from (5.45, .223/5.56, 7.62x39, .308, 7.62x54R) and variety of different stocks/furniture options to choose from. Again, these apparently meet all the requirements you've quoted

Lastly there are also the Zastava PAP AK's, these are made in Serbia and much like their Russian counterparts, are of respectable quality. These generally come with a stock that doesn't have a separate actual pistol grip and should also meet all the requirements you've listed. As far as I know, these come only in 7.62x39.

They all come from the factory with mags that are below the the Chicago/Illinois limit.
 
While Chicago put their limit at 12 rounds, Cook county's limit is 10 rounds, as Chicago is in Cook County, that limit trumps the Chicago limit.

It might help if you added what you'd like to get, as an AR is the only thing you've stated. There are quite a few members from the Chicago/Cook county area. Formerly from there myself.

The Chicago criteria is very similar to California criteria. Based on the letter of the law, the workarounds that Californians use could possibly work. So you might want to look into things like monsterman grips or similar products and building an AR without the other "evil" features such as a flash hider or adjustable stock. In California a bullet button makes a magazine fixed, allowing the other "evil" features, and things like monster man grips are not deemed pistol grips if you want to go the non-bullet button route.

That being said, the local interpretations may not go in your favor even with parts that do not explicitly fit the language. Considering the tenacity with which firearms laws are enforced in Chicago/Cook county, you'd probably be best off consulting a local lawyer familiar with firearms law if you want anything that is close to the configurations that are deemed illegal.
 
--AYE DIOS MIO, that PAP is KILLER!!! Thank you for the suggestion on that mean little rifle.

Thank you to everyone for the comments. It truly humbles me to have all of you knowledgeable folk to help my idiot self. These are all great suggestions and exactly what I was looking for.

I only mentioned the AR because, although admittedly I'm not much of an AR guy, they intrigue the hell out of me and I think it's mostly about wanting to "get it" like so many others. It seems certainly feasible economically to build a great AR on your own, however, I have to be extremely careful given that I couldn't even accept shipment (my FFL is also in Cook, not that it matters, laws is laws!) and going to jail/prison is certainly not in my planned future. I've heard various things at gun shops about what a cook county shop can and can't do for us Chicago folk and I'm still left scratching my head. I love my old war trophy rifles and definitely feel they suit my personality, but a black rifle is appealing to any red blooded American. It looks as though either way, it will be a sticky situation unless it's wood, blue steel and used in a war that ended decades ago. Argh....
 
Can you get around this by buying a "pre-ban" firearm that is grandfathered? I know this works in some areas. Price will go up, though.....

Just a thought.
 
Boy, that sounds a LOT like the CA regulations. Take a look at adding a "bullet button" mag release. In CA once the mag release has the button it is no longer considered a removable mag (go figure). That might be what you need to get most of what you want.
 
I have a PAP, got it for my Dad's 60th bday in 2010... and I am quite confident I got the best AK avail other than an Arsenal Saiga, which at the time wasnt even available in a NJ legal config (Now they are of course ) but also they're like $899 or something like that, a lot more than the $450 the PAPs were back thn, now I seem em for lie $389 etc. online.

So I would b real happy to get one in ur situation, and ur totally sticking it to the man.
 
gunsgongcrazy
Member

Join Date: February 21, 2012
Posts: 32

Just move
Click to expand...

Thanks for the helpful comment there. Added lots to the conversation.

The only way around the "evil assault rifle" problem is the "sporterized" versions of the AKs. There may be a de-eviled AR platform (the non detachable mag versions I guess) but I've never had a chance to work with one of those. Most everything else can be "normal" with 10 round / 12 round magazines.
 
Go with the Original Assault Rifle...a .30-30 :D
Like an old Marlin 336...50 state legal!!

Ask any Amer-Ind how well they work ;)
It'll clear a room/hallway/garage...lol
 
Chicago Rules are as bad as, of not Worse than NYC...

Of course, whatcha expect from Yankees...;)

Moving ain't the worst idea...consider Florida...all the laws are Pro-Gun, more or less...

We have Will Issue CCW permits
(which means if you pass the BATF background checks and ain't a nutter, you get a permit if you pass the course)

Castle Laws includes your home, car, place of Biz, & protecting innocent bystanders on the streets...
CCW permit holders kill more crooks than the cops per year...gotta keep the bad guys down!

Bikini's abounding 10 months of the year...and the Snowbirds from Canada/Northern US are crazy enough to wear Bikini's the other two months.

Hog Season...Year-around. No bag limit.
Deer season...TWO per day per person.
That alone is reason to move.

Did I mention the benefits of Depo-Provera??
Its a Birth Control pill that makes gal's racks bigger!! No surgery needed!!
Which brings us back to Year-round Bikini's ;)

And...last time it snowed 3" & stuck overnight around here was 1973.
I'm currently wearing shorts & a t-shirt at night to put the trash out...
 
Chicago Rules are as bad as, of not Worse than NYC...

Of course, whatcha expect from Yankees...

Moving ain't the worst idea...consider Florida...all the laws are Pro-Gun, more or less...

We have Will Issue CCW permits
(which means if you pass the BATF background checks and ain't a nutter, you get a permit if you pass the course)

Castle Laws includes your home, car, place of Biz, & protecting innocent bystanders on the streets...
CCW permit holders kill more crooks than the cops per year...gotta keep the bad guys down!

Bikini's abounding 10 months of the year...and the Snowbirds from Canada/Northern US are crazy enough to wear Bikini's the other two months.

Hog Season...Year-around. No bag limit.
Deer season...TWO per day per person.
That alone is reason to move.

Did I mention the benefits of Depo-Provera??
Its a Birth Control pill that makes gal's racks bigger!! No surgery needed!!
Which brings us back to Year-round Bikini's

And...last time it snowed 3" & stuck overnight around here was 1973.
I'm currently wearing shorts & a t-shirt at night to put the trash out...
Click to expand...

When somebody is trying to tell you how to live or hindering how you live.......you move. I moved out of Kalifornia, in part because of the gun laws, and it was the best thing I ever did.
 
All I will say is to get the hell out of crook county period. Dupage isn't that much better...

Illinois overall is a bankrupt, communist toilet. Get out while you still can...
 
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