On the way to the NRA Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, there was time to consider the changes since this correspondent had last been here in 2014, much pavement has passed under my vehicle's tires. Nine years ago: Illinois had shall issue. Carry by out of state permit holders or people from Constitutional Carry states is permitted as you pass through Illinois. Fortunately, all the states passed through from Dallas, Texas, to Indianapolis Indiana, have become Constitutional Carry states. Except for Illinois.
The rules in Illinois become complicated if you step outside of your vehicle. My solution was to not stop while in Illinois. That meant no gas or food or lodging or potty breaks while in the State of Illinois. This takes some preparation and thought.
Across the state on Interstate 57 and Interstate 70 was about 230 miles, according to my odometer. 11 miles before the border, in Missouri, on I-57, is a wonderful place called Boomland. Boomland specializes in things which cost less in the free states. Gasoline is about 40 cents a gallon less expensive than across the border in Illinois.
Cigarettes are much less expensive. The limit was five cartons per customer. Business was brisk. Fireworks were plentiful, and available at what seems a perpetual promotion at such border equivalents of "tariff free" shops: buy one get one free! Business was booming! The restroom was clean, spacious and not crowded, even with the lines waiting to purchase gas at one of the numerous pumps.
The strategy in the jurisdictions which are not friendly environments for Second Amendment supporters, is: pick your battles. This correspondent advises, when traveling, to follow the speed limits and traffic laws scrupulously. Within the first 80 miles of Illinois freeway, seven Illinois traffic enforcers were noted. Traffic fines can be a considerable source of income for a state which has to support a bloated, inefficient city such as Chicago. Traffic fines double in work zones. The Interstate in Illinois had many miles of construction going on. Even on the Interstate, the trip took about 4 and a half hours, with no stops. This correspondent was glad he had topped off at Boomland, had an early lunch, and used the facilities.
Southern Illinois is classic gun country, with lots of farmland, woodlots, streams and ponds with wonderful game habitat and opportunities. Unfortunately, our brothers and sisters in southern Illinois are dominated by Chicago politicians. Fortunately, the Supreme Court and the Seventh Circuit have restored some Second Amendment rights in Illinois with the decisions of Heller, McDonald, and Ezell. Several cases are pending in Illinois with the new ban on semi-automatic rifles and standard capacity magazines. With the exceptionally clear and well worded Bruen decision by the Supreme Court, more cases are pending. It is likely Illinois (mostly Chicago politicians) will be, reluctantly, brought to heel again.
It was a wonderful feeling to cross the border into the free state of Indiana! Traffic was terrible on I-465 into Indianapolis, with about ten miles of stop-and-go on the Interstate under construction. Reports from the NRA Annual Meeting in Indianapolis will follow.
©2023 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.
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2 comments:
We recently moved from the ID Panhandle to Bowling Green KY, and learned about the southmost end of Illinois -- ie, the sad, SAD little town of Cairo. One route from Springfield MO to BG KY took us across the southern tip of Cairo -- across the Mississippi on US62 and the Ohio on US51. Total time in IL = 2 mins. Another route took us the length of Cairo -- across the Mississippi on I57, and the Ohio on US51 (again). Total time in IL, <15 mins.
Coming from Tacna, rather than the "direct" route (via Albuquerque-OKC-St. Louis; 1,846 miles in 28 hrs), you could have gone via Dallas-Memphis-Evansville -- 2,065 miles in 30 hrs.
Humble submitted for future reference ... peace. :-)
I thin if you check Supreme court rulings back to 1984 you will find one that says something like If you are traveling cross state lines and your vehicle has the comforts of home It is your home away from home and the law concerning firearms apply to the state that vehicle is licensed in as long as they stay inside. Self defense of Home and property any where you are in this country. Illinois laws do not apply to Campers vans and motor homes. I had to explain that to a couple of Texas rangers once. Texas law said firearms could not be seen, Arizona law required them to be in plain sight. I had my pistol on the dash the rangers were going in the opposite direction and passed me then did a U-turn and pulled me over and started to take the guns. I told them if they wanted to avoid a major law suit they should call in and put the guns back. They put the guns back and told me the Texas border is 50 mile that ways don't stop toil you are out of Texas , they did call in , I was correct.
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