54-Year-Old Chicago Resident Becomes First To Lose Concealed Carry Permit

A license to carry a concealed weapon is not a license to act like an idiot:

A 54-year-old Northwest Side man who allegedly pulled a gun during a property dispute is the first concealed carry permit holder arrested in Chicago, police officials say.

William P. O’Connell, of the 7200 block of North Oleander Avenue, lost his permit as a result of the arrest, said a spokeswoman for the Illinois State Police.

In January, a new state law kicked in allowing people to carry concealed weapons as long as they have a permit.

O’Connell was involved in a quarrel over rent money with a 52-year-old man on March 23, police said. O’Connell allegedly pointed a handgun at the man and threatened to shoot him.

Police said the victim and a woman both identified O’Connell, who admitted hiding his gun. O’Connell took officers to a vacant apartment where they recovered a .38-caliber revolver, police said.

Advertisement

O’Connell has been arrested on a misdemeanor charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, instead of a felony, which I find interesting in virulently anti-gun Chicago.

Are any of you familiar enough with local laws to read anything into the decision to charge him with a misdemeanor instead of a felony?

Join the conversation as a VIP Member