Illinois Compiled Statutes
720 ILCS 5/24-1.5 (2026)
Reckless discharge of a firearm
✓ current as of May 2026
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(720 ILCS 5/24-1.5)
Sec. 24-1.5.
Reckless discharge of a firearm.
(a) A person commits reckless discharge of a firearm by discharging a
firearm in
a reckless manner which endangers the bodily safety
of an individual.
(b) If the conduct described in subsection (a) is committed by a passenger
of a moving motor vehicle with the knowledge and consent of the driver of the
motor vehicle the driver is accountable for such conduct.
(c) Reckless discharge of a firearm is a Class 4 felony.
(d) This Section does not apply to a peace officer while in the performance
of his or her official duties.
(Source: P.A. 88-217.)
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 64
cases (24 in the last 5 years), 1996–2026 · leading case: People v. Grant, 2017 IL App (1st) 142956 (Ill. App. Ct. 2017).
People v. Grant, 2017 IL App (1st) 142956 (Ill. App. Ct. 2017). “5 of the Criminal Code (720 ILCS 5/24-1.5 (West 2012)), refers to someone other than the defendant.”
People v. Watkins, 837 N.E.2d 943 (Ill. App. Ct. 2005). “Watkins, was found guilty of reckless discharge of a firearm (720 ILCS 5/24-1.5 (West 2002)) and possession of a firearm without a firearm owner's identification (FOID) card (430 ILCS 65/2 (West 2002)).”
United States v. Gear, 577 F.3d 810 (7th Cir. 2009). “1(a)(4), the district court relied on Gear’s conviction for reckless discharge of a firearm, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/24-1.5(a). This statute provides: A person commits reckless discharge of a firearm by discharging a firearm in a reckless manner which endangers the bodily…”
People v. Leach, 952 N.E.2d 647 (Ill. App. Ct. 2011). “In Collins, the supreme court examined the offense of reckless discharge of a firearm (720 ILCS 5/24-1.5 (West 2002)). See Collins, 214 Ill.”
People v. Peel, 2018 IL App (4th) 160100 (Ill. App. Ct. 2018). “They pointed out how prior to enactment of the reckless discharge of a firearm statute, there were only two choices for someone firing a firearm recklessly-a Class A misdemeanor for reckless conduct or a Class 1 felony for aggravated discharge of a firearm.”
People v. Kasp, 815 N.E.2d 809 (Ill. App. Ct. 2004). “" 720 ILCS 5/24-1.5 (West 2002). A violation of the proportionate penalties clause may occur in three separate instances: where the punishment for an offense is cruel, degrading or wholly disproportionate to the offense; where similar offenses are compared and conduct that…”
In re M.I., 2013 IL 113776 (Ill. 2013). “2(a)(2), (3) (West 2008)), one count of reckless discharge of a firearm (720 ILCS 5/24-1.5 (West 2008)), three counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon (720 ILCS 5/24-1.”
People v. Peel, 2018 IL App (4th) 160100 (Ill. App. Ct. 2019). “5 of the Criminal Code of 2012 (Criminal Code) (720 ILCS 5/24-1.5 (West 2012)). They pointed out how prior to enactment of the reckless discharge of a firearm statute, there were only two choices for someone firing a firearm recklessly—a Class A misdemeanor for reckless conduct…”
People v. Giraud, 2012 IL 113116 (Ill. 2012). “” 720 ILCS 5/24-1.5(a) (West 2004). We first interpreted the statutory language to conclude that reckless discharge of a firearm does not require “the intentional firing of a weapon knowingly and directly at someone.”
People v. Benson, 2024 IL App (1st) 221230-U (Ill. App. Ct. 2024). “¶2 Following a bench trial, defendant James Benson was found guilty of reckless discharge of a firearm (720 ILCS 5/24-1.5(a) (West 2020)), unlawful use or possession of a firearm by a felon (UUWF) (720 ILCS 5/24-1.”
People v. Willis, 2014 IL App (4th) 130118 (Ill. App. Ct. 2014). “¶2 Defendant appeals on three grounds: (1) the trial court erred by refusing to instruct the jury on reckless discharge of a firearm (720 ILCS 5/24-1.5(a) (West 2010)), which, he contends, was included in aggravated discharge of a firearm; (2) the court erred by refusing to…”
In re Nasie M., 2015 IL App (1st) 151678 (Ill. App. Ct. 2016). “” 720 ILCS 5/24-1.5(a) (West 2012). The unlawful possession statute provides: “A person commits the offense of unlawful possession of firearms or firearm ammunition when *** [h]e [or she] is under 18 years of age and has in his possession any firearm of a size which may be…”
— 720 ILCS 5/24-1.5(a) — 48 cases
People v. Grant, 2017 IL App (1st) 142956 (Ill. App. Ct. 2017). “5 of the Criminal Code (720 ILCS 5/24-1.5 (West 2012)), refers to someone other than the defendant.”
United States v. Gear, 577 F.3d 810 (7th Cir. 2009). “1(a)(4), the district court relied on Gear’s conviction for reckless discharge of a firearm, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/24-1.5(a). This statute provides: A person commits reckless discharge of a firearm by discharging a firearm in a reckless manner which endangers the bodily…”
People v. Watkins, 837 N.E.2d 943 (Ill. App. Ct. 2005). “Watkins, was found guilty of reckless discharge of a firearm (720 ILCS 5/24-1.5 (West 2002)) and possession of a firearm without a firearm owner's identification (FOID) card (430 ILCS 65/2 (West 2002)).”
People v. Giraud, 2012 IL 113116 (Ill. 2012). “” 720 ILCS 5/24-1.5(a) (West 2004). We first interpreted the statutory language to conclude that reckless discharge of a firearm does not require “the intentional firing of a weapon knowingly and directly at someone.”
People v. Peel, 2018 IL App (4th) 160100 (Ill. App. Ct. 2018). “They pointed out how prior to enactment of the reckless discharge of a firearm statute, there were only two choices for someone firing a firearm recklessly-a Class A misdemeanor for reckless conduct or a Class 1 felony for aggravated discharge of a firearm.”
— 720 ILCS 5/24-1.5(c) — 1 case
People v. McTiller, 2020 IL App (1st) 162663-U (Ill. App. Ct. 2020).
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