§ 36-433. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Air rifle means and includes any air gun, air pistol, spring gun, spring pistol, B-B gun, paint ball gun, paint ball pistol, pellet gun or any implement that is not a firearm which impels a breakable paint ball containing washable or unwashable marking colors, or a pellet constructed of hard plastic, steel, lead or other hard materials with a force that reasonably is expected to cause bodily harm.

Firearm means any device, by whatever name known, which is designed to expel projectiles by the action of an explosion, expansion of gas or escape of gas; excluding, however:

(1)

Any pneumatic gun, spring gun, paint ball gun or B-B gun which either expels a single globular projectile not exceeding 0.18 inch in diameter and which has a maximum muzzle velocity of less than 700 feet per second or breakable paint balls containing washable marking colors;

(2)

Any device used exclusively for signaling' or safety and required or recommended by the United States Coast Guard or the interstate commerce commission;

(3)

Any device used exclusively for the firing of stud cartridges, explosive rivets or similar industrial ammunition; and

(4)

An antique firearm (other than a machine-gun) which, although designed as a weapon, the department of state police finds by reason of the date of its manufacture, value, design, and other characteristics is primarily a collector's item and is not likely to be used as a weapon.

(Code 1940, § 27.040; Code 1964, § 29-1; Ord. No. 2009-003, § 2(29-1), 1-12-2009)

State law reference

Similar definitions, 430 ILCS 65/1.1.