The person with the firearm was engaged in the commission of a misdemeanor involving the use or threatened use of violence against another person or property. The Safe Neighborhoods Act originally passed by the General Assembly in 1994. Along with the provisions dealing with penalties for the unlawful use of weapons, the Safe Neighborhoods Act contained elements dealing with numerous crimes. The debate over this provision stalled the reenactment of the entire law. During the five years that the illegal possession of a firearm was a felony, the number of arrests for illegal weapons declined, as did the rate of violent crime in Illinois.
Judges can sentence gangbangers to extended terms for any felony crimes.
Gang members have to serve 120 hours of community service when they re on probation. Without the Act in place, criminals convicted of using a gun during a felony could be out on the street in three years. Any person prohibited by law from possessing a firearm and caught with a gun will be charged with a felony not a misdemeanor. Sets penalties for gunrunning for illegally selling three or more weapons and raises penalty for selling guns on school property. Anyone intentionally destroying the serial number on a firearm will be charged with a felony, not a misdemeanor.