720 ILCS 5/24-3.2 – Unlawful Discharge of Firearm Projectiles
This law makes it illegal to use or have certain dangerous bullets or shotgun shells that can cause extreme harm.
This Illinois law says it’s a serious crime to use or carry powerful or special kinds of bullets or shells, like armor-piercing ones, that are designed to do more than normal damage. Only police, military, and certain officials can use them while on duty.
(a) A person breaks this law if they knowingly or carelessly use special or dangerous bullets or shells. These include:
- “Armor piercing bullet” – a handgun bullet made mostly of hard metals like steel or uranium, or one that’s mostly covered by a heavy jacket, not made of soft lead or used for sports.
- “Dragon’s breath shotgun shell” – a shotgun shell that shoots fire or flames, like a small flamethrower.
- “Bolo shell” – a shell that fires two or more metal balls tied together with wire.
- “Flechette shell” – a shell that fires tiny metal darts or pieces of wire.
(b) Sentence: It is a Class X felony – one of the most serious crimes – to fire a loaded gun using these bullets or shells if they hit another person, whether it was done on purpose or carelessly.
(c) Sentence: It is a Class 2 felony to have one of these bullets or shells with a gun that can shoot them if you are carrying them on you or hiding them nearby.
(d) This law does not apply to the following people while doing their official jobs:
- Police officers
- Prison officers and guards
- Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves, or Illinois National Guard
- Federal officials who must carry guns for their jobs
- U.S. Marshals
Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Southern Illinois criminal defense lawyer.
