A 20-year-old Robbins man is facing a felony weapons charge after sheriff's investigators say a routine traffic stop on the village's south side turned up a loaded, unserialized "ghost gun" with a laser sight and a bright blue pistol grip.
Deputies from the Cook County Sheriff's Police Organized Crime Division say they pulled over a silver Chevrolet Equinox in the 4100 block of 135th Street around 6:55 p.m. on June 23. According to a post from the Cook County Sheriff's Office, investigators took the driver, identified as 20-year-old Chavarous Graves, into custody and found a loaded, serial-less handgun inside the vehicle.
Detectives also seized Graves's cellphone, which the office said had a lock-screen image of a handgun with the same distinctive blue grip as the recovered weapon. The Sheriff's Office said Graves did not have a valid Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) card or a concealed-carry license. The Cook County State's Attorney approved an aggravated unlawful-possession charge, and Graves was ordered released after an initial appearance at the Markham courthouse, according to the agency.
Traffic stops keep turning up untraceable guns
Traffic stops by sheriff's police and suburban departments across Cook County have repeatedly produced so-called ghost guns in recent years, a trend that law enforcement officials say makes it tougher to trace weapons and build cases. Local reporting has highlighted several similar incidents, including a South Loop stop where deputies reported finding an unserialized, laser-equipped pistol during a vehicle search. Outlets such as FOX 32 Chicago have covered comparable recoveries.
Why ghost guns are a problem
"Ghost guns" are privately made firearms or build-it-yourself kits that often lack serial numbers, which means they cannot be traced through traditional sales or ballistic records. The federal frame-and-receiver rule clarified which unfinished parts are legally considered firearms and aims to require serial numbers and background checks for certain gun kits, in an effort to make tracing easier. U.S. Department of Justice
Illinois law adds another layer. To legally possess a firearm in the state, residents must hold a valid FOID card, and additional licensing is required to carry concealed. In the Robbins case, sheriff's officials say Graves lacked both. Illinois Legal Aid
Legal implications
Prosecutors signed off on an aggravated unlawful-possession charge stemming from the Robbins stop, and the case will now move through the Cook County court system. In Illinois, unlawful possession of a firearm can bring significant penalties, particularly when the weapon is loaded or the defendant does not have the required FOID or concealed-carry credentials.
The Cook County Sheriff's Office said the investigation remains open and asked anyone with information related to the case to contact its detectives.
