by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Over the years, I have consulted with many people who were disqualified from possessing a gun due to a criminal conviction, a protective order, etc. Some of those people have told me that they knew themselves to be prohibited, but tried to buy a gun anyway to see what would happen. Doing so is a very bad idea.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear The police killing of concealed carry permit holder Philando Castile is a troubling, for a variety of reasons, as are the killings of the 5 police officers in Dallas, TX that soon followed. I discuss the civil rights and gun rights implications of those killings on my gun rights website in this article.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Over the last year, we have noticed an increase in amount of time that the Illinois State Police (ISP) take to process appeals of denials of Firearms Owner Identification (FOID) cards and concealed carry permits. Sadly this is nothing new, as the ISP has been improperly delaying firearms-related matters for many years.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear A Federal law, the Firearms Owners’ Protection Action (FOPA), provides a safe harbor for the interstate transportation of firearms as set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 926A:
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear These days, more people than ever end up moving from state to state. That can create issues for people when it comes to seeking a restoration of gun rights, as some people are unsure whether they need to seek the restoration of their firearms rights in the state where the crime occurred or in the state where they now live. Luckily, the answer is a simple one.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear KWQC Channel 6 in the Quad Cities ran a story on President Obama’s gun control executive action. I enjoyed being interview again by KWQC Reporter Courtney Yuen for that story, which can be seen here. Unlike many new articles on gun-related subjects, this one is quite balanced.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear The issues of what crimes should bar a person from gun ownership, how long such a ban on gun ownership should last, and when a person should be able to have their gun rights restored are often hotly debated.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Those who have been banned from gun ownership due to a criminal conviction or other disqualifying event in Illinois or Iowa can seek a restoration of their gun rights. This is a somewhat involved process that must be handled properly in order to have the best chance of succeeding. My firm has represented many clients in Iowa and Illinois to seek such a restoration of their gun rights.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear If an individual’s application for a FOID card is denied, or if their FOID card has been revoked, the aggrieved party may file an appeal with the Illinois State Police. All final administrative decisions by the Illinois State Police are subject to further judicial review
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear In Iowa, the courts allow for an expungement of criminal records for a limited number of circumstances. If an expungement is granted, the criminal record will be
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear In Illinois, an individual may request an expungement to clear certain charges from their criminal record. Only certain charges are eligible for expungement, and it is best to first determine if the charge is eligible before
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear There are laws at the Federal and State levels that prohibit certain people from possessing a firearm. These laws can be rather complex, and a person who is charged with unlawfully possessing a gun generally cannot avoid criminal liability by saying that they did not know they were prohibited. This article discusses the general categories of people who are barred from possessing guns, and some of the related situations that often arise.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Since the year 2011, Puryear Law has offered employees a $50/month bonus if they choose to take the training to obtain their permit to carry, lawfully obtain that permit, and lawfully and safely carry at the firm’s office. On
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Earlier this year, I had the honor of representing a woman named Judy, who used her gun to defend herself, her sister, and her sister-in-law after they were violently attacked in a parking lot in Rock Island County, Illinois. Much to her surprise, Judy was charged in Case Number 2010CF1076 in Rock Island County, Illinois, after telling the police about the attack she suffered. After a variety of motion hearings, we proceeded to a jury trial on February 7, 2012. The result of that trial was a verdict of Not Guilty, at which point the court ordered that Judy’s gun be returned to her right on the spot. Judy was then able to walk out of the courthouse with her pistol, return home, and accept an even better employment offer that had been on hold as she awaited trial. With Judy’s permission, I am sharing her story here.