PROFESSIONAL THEATRICAL ARMORERS (4-144-300 et seq.)

Municipal Code of Chicago tit. 4, ch. 4-144, art. V

in effect

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-144-300 Definitions.

4-144-300 Definitions. For purposes of this Article, the following definitions apply: (a) "FOID" has the same meaning ascribed to that term in section 8-20-010. (b) "Professional theatrical armorer" means a person who: (1) is a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licensed dealer under Chapter 44 of Title 18, United States Code: (2) has been issued a federal firearms license for a location within the city; (3) is registered under section 5802 of the National Firearms Act of 1934; and (4) derives not less than 80 percent of the business revenue from the use of firearms for a professional theatrical purpose, or has been a federal firearms licensee engaged in the business of manufacturing, importing, possessing, loaning or renting theatrical props for purposes of distribution, loan or rental for a professional theatrical purpose for not less than 3 years prior to the date of application. (c) "Professional theatrical purpose" means the use of a theatrical prop by a professional theatrical armorer, or by a person recognized under federal law as having the authority to maintain dominion and control over such theatrical props for the armorer, in a motion picture, live professional theatre, television production, or a production made solely for digital media. (d) "Superintendent" means the superintendent of police. (e) "Theatrical prop" means: (1) any blank ammunition, ammunition feeding device, or firearm modified or adapted to fire blank ammunition, or any component thereof; or (2) any other non-firearm dangerous or deadly weapon prohibited under the Municipal Code. (Added Coun. J. 9-11-13, p. 59869, § 8)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-144-310 License required.

4-144-310 License required. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of a professional theatrical armorer without securing a weapons dealer license to do so. Notwithstanding any provision of the code to the contrary, a professional theatrical armorer may import, manufacture, possess, transfer, loan or rent theatrical props solely for a theatrical purpose. The license granted under this Article does not authorize the licensee to engage in the business of selling or otherwise transferring firearms or ammunition, except as authorized in this Article. (Added Coun. J. 9-11-13, p. 59869, § 8; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-14, p. 83727, § 4)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-144-320 Application - Additional information required.

4-144-320 Application - Additional information required. In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 4-4-050, an application for, and, if requested, renewal of, a deadly weapons license to engage in the business of a professional armorer shall be accompanied by the following information: (a) the length of time the applicant has been in a business; (b) the location and description of the proposed licensed premises; (c) the name and address of the owner of the premises, and if the premises is leased, the name, address and telephone number of the lessee of the premises; (d) a copy of the applicant's federal firearm license; (e) a copy of the applicant's FOID card, if required to have one; and (f) any other information that the commissioner or the superintendent may require to implement this Article. (Added Coun. J. 9-11-13, p. 59869, § 8; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-14, p. 83727, § 4)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-144-330 License issuance and renewal.

4-144-330 License issuance and renewal. A license or a renewal of a license issued under this Article shall be denied or revoked for any of the following reasons: (a) The applicant's license under this Article, or any other license for the manufacture, use or possession of firearms, has been revoked for cause. (b) A license issued under this Article for the location described in the application has been revoked for any cause within one year of the date of the application. (c) The applicant makes any false, misleading or fraudulent statement or misrepresents any fact in the license application, or uses any scheme or subterfuge for the purpose of evading any provision of this chapter. (d) The applicant or licensee at the time of application or renewal of any license issued pursuant to this chapter would not be eligible for such license upon a first application. (e) The applicant or licensee at the time of application or renewal of any license under this Article does not have a safety plan that has been approved by the superintendent. (Added Coun. J. 9-11-13, p. 59869, § 8; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-14, p. 83727, § 4)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-144-340 Department duties.

4-144-340 Department duties. (a) The commissioner shall forward any application for a deadly weapons license to engage in the business of a professional armorer to the police and fire departments, (b) The commissioner shall have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement this Article. (c) The superintendent shall have the authority to promulgate rules and relations necessary to implement this Article relating to the safety plan, the safe storage and handling of the theatrical props, and any other restriction, including restrictions on the type or caliber of theatrical props used, which the superintendent deems necessary for public safety. (Added Coun. J. 9-11-13, p. 59869, § 8)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-144-350 Legal duties.

4-144-350 Legal duties. (a) Every licensee shall obtain and keep current at all times throughout the duration of the license period, liability insurance for the operation of the premises described in such application or license in the aggregate amount of $1,000,000.00, issued by an insurer authorized to insure in Illinois. The insurance policy required by this section shall be for a term of at least 12 months, and shall be co-extensive with the first 12 months of the applicable license period. Thereafter, the licensee shall continue to maintain such insurance policy in full force and effect for the duration of the two-year license period. The licensee shall keep proof of the required insurance at the licensed premises at all times and, upon demand, shall produce such proof for inspection by an authorized city official. Each policy of insurance required under this section shall include a provision requiring 30 days' advance notice to the commissioner prior to termination or lapse of the policy. Failure to comply with this section shall be grounds for the suspension or revocation of the license for a single offense in accordance with Section 4-4-280 of this Code. (b) (1) At the same time an applicant submits an application for a license, the applicant shall submit a safety plan to the superintendent in a form and manner prescribed by the superintendent. After review of the proposed safety plan, the superintendent, in consultation with the executive director of emergency management and communications, the fire commissioner, and any other appropriate department, shall either approve or deny the safety plan within 30 days of its submission. During the 30-day review period, the superintendent may consult with the applicant to recommend amendments to the proposed plan. If the superintendent denies a safety plan, he shall state, in writing, the basis for such denial. The superintendent shall notify the commissioner of such approval or denial. (2) Every safety plan shall include a floor plan of the proposed site and provisions that address: (i) the installation and maintenance of adequate exterior lighting; (ii) the installation and maintenance of interior and exterior surveillance cameras installed at the licensed location; (iii) the installation of an alarm system; (iv) protocols for the safe display and storage of ammunition and firearms; and (v) the employment of adequately trained personnel, all in accordance with rules prescribed by the superintendent. Recordings from the surveillance cameras required by this subsection shall be maintained for not less than 30 days and shall be made available upon request to members of the police department. The licensee shall obtain all necessary permits, including a public way use permit if applicable; provided that notwithstanding any other provision of the code to the contrary, no fee for a public way use permit will be imposed when the permit is for any surveillance camera installed pursuant to this subsection solely because the camera or its wiring is in any portion of the public way. (3) Any proposed change to the approved safety plan shall be submitted to the superintendent, in a form and manner prescribed by the superintendent, prior to the implementation of such change. The superintendent shall approve or deny the proposed change within 30 days and notify the commissioner of such approval or denial. (4) The licensee shall keep a copy of the approved safety plan at the licensed premises and make it available upon request for inspection by members of the department or the police department. (5) No license may be issued or renewed unless the superintendent approves the applicant's or licensee's safety plan. (6) Every licensee shall comply with the safety plan, as approved by the superintendent. (7) The failure to adequately implement, maintain or adhere to the provisions of the approved safety plan under this section shall be grounds for suspension or revocation of the license and shall be grounds for the city to recover its costs resulting from such failure under Chapter 1-20. (c) The licensed premises shall be open at all reasonable times for inspection by the departments of buildings, police, business affairs and consumer protection, and fire. (Added Coun. J. 9-11-13, p. 59869, § 8; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-14, p. 83727, § 4)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-144-360 Operating without a license.

4-144-360 Operating without a license. Any person who engages in the business of a professional armorer without first having obtained the required license shall be subject to a fine of not less than $3,000.00 nor more than $5,000.00, or incarceration for a period not to exceed six months, or both. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. (Added Coun. J. 9-11-13, p. 59869, § 8)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-144-380 Penalty.

4-144-380 Penalty. Unless another fine or penalty is specifically provided, any person who violates any provision of this Article, or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder, shall be subject to a fine of not less than $1,500.00 nor more than $3,000.00 for each offense, or incarceration for a period not to exceed six months, or both. Each day that such violation exists shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. (Added Coun. J. 9-11-13, p. 59869, § 8)

Source: City of Chicago, Municipal Code of Chicago (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2633425Fetched: 10/24/2026