ROCKFORD, Ill. (January 30, 2024) – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced the filing of a motion for summary judgment in an FPC-supported lawsuit challenging Illinois’ ban on carrying firearms on public transportation and in public transportation facilities. The motion in Schoenthal v. Raoul can be viewed at FPCLegal.org.

“Illinoisans cannot have their firearm with them after disembarking public transportation, no matter how pressing the need for self-defense may be at their ultimate destination,” argues the motion. “These individuals—including Plaintiffs—are deprived of the ability to self-defend on the way to, while taking, and after disembarking, public transportation. And the Ban disproportionately impacts those who rely on public transportation because they cannot afford private vehicles. Indeed, for those who must take public transportation in their daily lives, the Ban effectively renders licensed carry outside of the home impossible in many circumstances.”

“Illinois’ ban on even licensed individuals carrying firearms on public transportation is an offensive and insidious prohibition,” said Cody J. Wisniewski, FPC Action Foundation’s Vice President and General Counsel, and counsel for FPC. “Illinois’ ban specifically targets and disarms those that use and rely on public transportation, often some of the most vulnerable members of society. More, Illinois’ ban effectively prohibits those individuals from bearing arms to defend themselves any time they leave their homes if, at any point, they must use public transportation. We look forward to the Court ending this unconstitutional overreach.”

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Firearms Policy Coalition (firearmspolicy.org), a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization, exists to create a world of maximal human liberty, defend constitutional rights, advance individual liberty, and restore freedom. FPC’s efforts are focused on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and adjacent issues including freedom of speech, due process, unlawful searches and seizures, separation of powers, asset forfeitures, privacy, encryption, and limited government. The FPC team are next-generation advocates working to achieve the Organization’s strategic objectives through litigation, research, scholarly publications, amicus briefing, legislative and regulatory action, grassroots activism, education, outreach, and other programs.

FPC Law (FPCLaw.org) is the nation’s first and largest public interest legal team focused on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and the leader in the Second Amendment litigation and research space.

FPC Action Foundation (FPCActionFoundation.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, exists to create a world of maximal human liberty through charitable legal action, public policy, education, and research programs.