Everyone who wants to carry a concealed firearm in Illinois is required to have an Illinois Concealed Carry License (CCL), with very few exceptions. The approval process for a CCL in Illinois is considered to be the strictest in the country. Because of this, applicants may face a variety of obstacles, and licenses may be improperly denied. In these cases, it is crucial to work with an attorney who is experienced in appealing concealed carry denials.
At Williams & Nickl, LLC, our attorneys have more than 55 years of combined legal experience, and we have represented clients throughout the state of Illinois in CCL cases. We have also assisted a large number of professional license holders and applicants in obtaining licenses from administrative agencies, including Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) cards and Firearm Control Cards.
The procedural steps that must be followed when applying for a CCL are complex, and applicants may be unsure about how to meet the various requirements and directions. In some cases, a CCL may be denied if a law enforcement agency files an Objection to the license.
In cases involving Law Enforcement Objections, an applicant is given 10 days to respond and provide the Concealed Carry License Review Board (CCLRB) with evidence that they are eligible for a CCL or material that the CCLRB should consider in regards to the Objection. However, Objections often contain very little information other than the date and name of a charge on the applicant’s criminal record. Understanding how to respond to an Objection can be difficult, and applicants who attempt to do so without the assistance of an experienced attorney are likely to have their application denied.
If a CCL application is denied, an applicant must appeal this decision within 35 days by filing a complaint in the circuit court of the county where they reside. Appeals follow a process known as Administrative Review, which is a complicated and technical legal proceeding. The Illinois Attorney General’s Office will typically defend the CCLRB’s decisions very strongly, and without representation by an attorney who is experienced in the processes followed during Administrative Review, an applicant’s appeal will be likely to fail.
The attorneys of Williams & Nickl, LLC understand how the Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66/1, et seq.) applies to cases involving CCL denials. Edward and Fred are highly experienced in cases involving Administrative Review, and we can ensure that the procedures defined in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act (5 ILCS 100/1-1, et seq.) are followed correctly.
If you have received a Law Enforcement Objection to your application for a Concealed Carry License, or if your application has been denied by the CCLRB, you will have a very limited amount of time to act. Our attorneys can help you file a response to an Objection, or we can work with you to appeal the denial of your license. We will walk you through the steps that will be followed during the Administrative Review process, and we will ensure that any required documents, such as a Memorandum in Support or Reply to Response in Opposition, are prepared and submitted correctly.
To learn how we can help you address issues with your CCL application, contact us to schedule a free consultation. We will go over your case with you, help you gather any required documentation, and advocate on your behalf when responding to an Objection or appealing the denial of your license. Call us today at 312-335-9470.
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