To Illinois Law Enforcement and Attorneys…..?

What is the definition of "Readily Available", as in "the clip or ammunition for the firearm was readily available". Does that mean that had to be in constructive possession, I.E. in the attic hiding behind an old dresser drawer but the suspect KNEW where it was, OR does it mean that it was out in the car. Does it mean that it was down at wal-mart and all he had to do was get in his car and go down and buy it (that wal-mart, of course, would have to be in Iowa, across the Mississippi River from where this case is being tried and only a 20 minute drive, where you can buy ammunition without a FOID card)? Is that readily available? How about, he had a computer, and a working credit card, and an internet connection, and he could order it up from a gun supplier somewhere across the country. Does that make it readily available? Opinions are more than welcome, but case law or some examples of convictions won on this phrase would be even better…. thx, john deporter (johndeporter@yahoo.com) Still researching the Sten Gun case…… We finally got out Sten gun clip after 6 days… It appears to be in perfect working order (although we’ll never know for sure, but the spring works and the receiver for the 19X9mm shells isn’t bent or anything…. does THAT make it readily available, the fact that the clip this defendant would have needed to make it a machine gun was accessible with only a credit card, a computer, an internet connection, and 6 days to spare? I appreciate all of your time, especially you retired (and active) State Troopers out there, you guys seem to know more than half the Lawyers I talk to.

Readily available is just that – a gun assessable to a driver or passenger fits that description. The way firearms and ammo is transported is spelled out in the Illinois Compiled Statutes. i do not know why an attorney would ask questions here….