Carrying a firearm for self-defense comes with a lot of responsibility. Knowing the laws where you carry is just one important task you must undertake as an armed American. To help with that, we’ve provided a summary of basic concealed carry laws in Illinois. Learn about the most important things to know when carrying in the Land of Lincoln below.
Can You Carry a Gun in Illinois?
Open carry of a handgun on your person or in your vehicle is illegal in Illinois. An Illinois Concealed Carry License (CCL) is required to carry a concealed firearm in Illinois. Illinois does not honor concealed carry permits from any other state.
Illinois Concealed Carry Permit
Applicants must be 21 or older. The license permits the licensee to carry a concealed loaded or unloaded handgun on his or her person or within a vehicle. A 16-hour firearms training course conducted by a state-approved instructor is required for all new concealed carry license applications. Only a resident of a state or territory of the United States that has laws substantially similar to the requirements to obtain a license under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act is eligible for an Illinois non-resident license. Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, Texas and Virginia are currently the only states considered to be substantially similar.
Training Requirements
Proof of certification by a certified instructor that the applicant passed a live-fire exercise with a concealable firearm consisting of:
- A minimum of 30 rounds and
- 10 rounds from a distance of 5 yards, 10 rounds from a distance of 7 yards and 10 rounds from a distance of 10 yards at a target approved by the Department of State Police.
Can I Own a Gun If I Have a Medical Marijuana Card in Illinois?
Federal law prohibits medical marijuana users from possessing or buying firearms and ammunition — even if state law allows the drug’s use. An individual can’t have both licenses. Under federal law, you are an unlawful user of a controlled substance. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld this rule. Marijuana in any form is illegal under federal law. Users of marijuana are prohibited persons. Checking “no” on question 11(e) on Form 4473 would be a lie if you use marijuana. See this ATF letter on the topic.
Gun Purchase and Handgun Registration Requirements
Illinois law requires residents to have a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card when purchasing or possessing a handgun and to possess ammunition. There are certain exceptions to the FOID requirement, including:
- Transfers as a bona fide gift to the transferor’s husband, wife, son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, brother, sister, nephew, niece, uncle, aunt, grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law or daughter-in-law; and
- Temporary transfers that occur while in the home of the unlicensed transferee, if the unlicensed transferee is not otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms and the unlicensed transferee reasonably believes that possession of the firearm is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.
A person who is under 21 years of age must have the written consent of his or her parent or legal guardian to possess and acquire firearms and firearm ammunition. Private sellers must verify a purchaser’s FOID card and also keep a record of any sale for a period of 10 years. There is also a 72-hour waiting period for the purchase of all guns.
Does Illinois Have Firearms, Ammunition or Magazine Restrictions?
Armor-piercing ammunition is prohibited, although most full metal jacket (FMJ) handgun ammunition commonly used for training is exempt based on jacket weight or core composition.
On Jan. 10, 2023, Gov. JB Pritzker (D) signed HB 5471, or the Protect Illinois Communities Act, into law. The law makes it unlawful to deliver, sell or purchase, or cause to be delivered, possessed or sold or purchased by another, an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle or .50 caliber cartridge.
An assault weapon is defined as:
(A) any rifle that has a belt-fed ammunition system or which has a detachable magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition
(B) a semi-automatic rifle that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has any of the following
(i) a folding or telescoping stock(ii) a shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel that permits the shooter to hold the firearm with the non-trigger hand without being burned
(C) a semi-automatic pistol that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has any of the following:
(i) a folding or telescoping stock(ii) a shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles the barrel, that permits the shooter to hold the firearm with the non-trigger hand without being burned(iii) a manufactured weight of 50 ounces or more when the pistol is unloaded
(D) a semi-automatic rifle with a fixed magazine that has the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds of ammunition
(E) a semi-automatic shotgun that has:
(i) a folding or telescoping stock(ii) contains its ammunition in a revolving cylinder(iii) a fixed magazine capacity in excess of five rounds of ammunition, except as may be authorized under the Wildlife Code and excluding magazine extensions during the snow geese conservation order season(iv) an ability to accept a detachable magazine of more than five rounds of ammunition.
Less-Lethal Self-Defense Weapons
Stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase with a Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID). These devices are not allowed under certain circumstances and in certain places, including places licensed to sell intoxicating beverages, schools, colleges, courthouses or in or within 1,000 feet of a public park. Possession and use of self-defense sprays is lawful for anyone over 18 years old.
Where Can One Carry Concealed in Illinois?
Anyone with a valid concealed carry permit can carry a concealed handgun in a vehicle in Illinois. Since Illinois has no reciprocity, non-residents may only carry firearms in the immediate area surrounding the vehicle for the limited purpose of storing or retrieving a firearm within the vehicle’s trunk.
Locations where a concealed handgun may be carried with a CCL include:
- State/national parks and wildlife management areas
- State/national forests
- Places of worship, unless posted with signs prohibiting firearms
Locations where concealed carry is prohibited, even for permit holders, include:
- Roadside rest areas
- School and school-related activity transportation
- Public playgrounds, parks and athletic facilities (except on trails or bikeways)
- Courts
- Local government buildings
- Public transportation and transportation facilities
- Public gatherings or special events open to the public
- Locations that have been issued special liquor licenses or special use permits
- Cook County Forest Preserve property
- Private property that is clearly and conspicuously posted
- Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law
- Any building, real property and parking area of the following:
- Elementary school, secondary school, pre-school, child care facility, colleges and universities, and in a vehicle on any public way within 1,000 feet of the real property comprising a school
- Any stadium, arena, or the real property or parking area under the control of a stadium, arena, or any collegiate or professional sporting event
- Office of the executive or legislative branch of state government (other than the Illinois DNR)
- Hospital, mental health facility or nursing home
- Adult or juvenile detention or correctional institution, prison or jail
- Public transportation facility
- Establishment where more than 50 percent of sales are from alcohol
- Gaming facility
- Public library
- Airport, including both commercial and charter aircraft
- Amusement park, zoo or museum
- Nuclear energy, storage, weapons, or development site or facility regulated by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- Private property that is clearly and conspicuously posted
Can You Carry a Gun in Your Car in Illinois?
Yes, only with a CCL [430 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 66/10(c)]. A non-resident may transport a loaded concealed handgun in a vehicle if he or she has a valid CCW permit in his or her home state. The individual cannot under any circumstances remove the firearm from the vehicle. If he/she needs to exit the vehicle, he or she must lock it or place the firearm in a locked container. [430 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 66/40(e)]
Ready to Learn More About Illinois Gun Laws?
It is your responsibility as a gun owner to know and understand the laws regarding your concealed carry rights. The USCCA’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity & Gun Laws Map has been designed to help inform and educate armed citizens like you. To learn more about Illinois’ concealed carry permit application process, concealed carry restrictions and training requirements, visit the Illinois gun laws page now…
The information contained on this website is provided as a service to USCCA, Inc. Members and the concealed carry community and does not constitute legal advice. Although we attempt to address all areas of concealed carry laws in all states, we make no claims, representations, warranties, promises or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information disclosed. Legal advice must always be tailored to the individual facts and circumstances of each individual case, and laws are constantly changing; as such, nothing contained on this website should be used as a substitute for the advice of a lawyer.
