Illinois State Rep. Curtis J. Tarver II is facing misdemeanor charges after police cited him for carrying a concealed firearm with a revoked license earlier this week. The lawmaker, who represents a portion of the city of Chicago, was originally pulled over by cops for a broken tail light.

“The driver handed officers a weapon that was in the vehicle, as well as a concealed carry license,” a CPD communications officer wrote in an email. “Further investigation revealed the license was revoked. The subject was taken into custody and charged accordingly.”

Tarver was charged with a misdemeanor for the invalid license. He was also cited for the faulty headlight. He was issued an I-bond (a no-cash bond) and released. A court appearance is set for December 27 at 727 E. 111th St., Chicago.

It’s unclear why Tarver’s concealed carry license has been revoked, but local reports note that are a few disqualifying factors that could be in play.

The Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act allows licenses to be “revoked if, at any time, the licensee is found to be ineligible for a license under this act or the licensee no longer meets the eligibility requirements of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act.”

Within 48 hours of revocation, licensees are supposed to surrender their firearms to their local law enforcement agency or the Illinois State Police.

Under the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act, grounds for revocation include being convicted of a felony; being addicted to narcotics; having been a patient of a mental health facility; having a mental condition “of such a nature that it poses a clear and present danger;” making a false statement on an application; being convicted within the past five years of battery, assault, aggravated assault or violation of an order of protection; or being convicted since Jan. 1, 2012, of domestic battery, aggravated domestic battery, or a substantially similar offense.

Tarver is a first-term lawmaker who campaigned in support of several gun control initiatives, including red flag laws and state-level licensing for firearms dealers, told the press in 2018 that he wanted to focus on illegal guns in the city.

When we are talking about gun violence we are typically talking about illegal gun trafficking and ownership. I believe that the focus has to be on reducing the number of illegal guns that make it into the city of Chicago. At the same time there have to be more opportunities for young people to provide an alternative to crime.

Ironically enough, it’s now Tarver that stands accused of having an “illegal gun” in the city of Chicago, or at least a gun that was illegally possessed. The attorney and legislator hasn’t commented on his arrest or charges, nor has he said anything about why his concealed carry license was revoked.

Illinois’ gun laws are screwy enough that I would really like to hear Rep. Tarver’s side of the story before I pass too much judgment, but for now at least it appears the lawmaker is exercising his right to be silent. We’ll keep our eyes on this case and will bring you any new details as we get them.