Illinois Defacement Of A Firearm Serial Number

The Law – 720 ILCS 5/24-5(a)

A person commits Defacement of a Firearm Serial Number when they knowingly or intentionally change, alter, remove or obliterate the name of the importer’s or manufacturer’s serial number.

In Illinois, it is a criminal offense for a person to change or destroy the serial number on a firearm. This law applies only if the person removes or changes the serial number knowingly or purposefully. If the firearm’s serial number is removed, by accident, then the individual cannot be convicted of the offense (although the individual can still be convicted of Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number).

As is the case in Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number, charges for Defacement of a Firearm Serial Number can be brought any time within six years of the commission of the offense.

The Sentence

• Class 2 Felony
• 3 to 7 years in state prison
• Fine up to $25,000

Probation Possible? Yes.

Supervision Possible? No.