People v. Palmer

After a bench trial before a judge in the circuit court of Cook County, the defendant was found guilty of unlawful use of weapons and of failure to possess a firearm owner’s identification card. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1971, ch. 38, pars. 24 — 1(a)(4), 83 — 2(a).) The appellate court reversed the convictions (22 Ill. App. 3d 866), and we allowed leave to appeal. The disputed issue in the case concerns the legality of the search of the defendant, J ohn Palmer, which disclosed a loaded .25-caliber revolver in the defendant’s right rear pants pocket.

The arresting officer testified that at approximately…