Hall v. Chicago Right-to-Carry Case Moves Forward

On January 18, following the Seventh Circuit decision striking down Illinois’ ban on carrying firearms outside the home, another NRA-supported lawsuit was filed to ensure that Chicago abides by the Seventh Circuit ruling and offers Chicago residents the opportunity to protect themselves outside their homes.

In the Hall v. Chicago complaint, the lawyers for plaintiffs Michael Hall and Kathryn Tyler make clear that Chicago’s carry ban should be voided as it is even more restrictive than the state ban struck by the Seventh Circuit. They note that Chicago’s ban extends to anywhere outside the walls of one’s residence or place of business, including an unattached or attached garage, and “any space outside the dwelling unit, including any stairs, porches, back, side or front yard space.” Additionally a person would be unable to take a firearm to and from his home and business as a firearm registration certificate “shall only be valid for the address on the registration certificate.”

The complaint goes on to explain that Hall and Tyler are currently subject to irreparable harm due the city’s infringement of their right to self defense. It requests a judgment that Chicago’s carry ban is unconstitutional, and an injunction on any city officials enforcing the ban. The parties in the case are currently in the midst of pretrial motions filed by Chicago to delay the suit or combine it with another, more limited, case.