Illinois Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

No. An Illinois concealed carry license does not cover weapons other than handguns.

Yes. As of January 10, 2023, you cannot buy/sell/possess magazines of more than 10 rounds for rifles and magazines of more than 15 rounds for handguns. 

No. Open carry is not permitted in Illinois.

You must be at least 21 years old to carry concealed in Illinois.

Yes. Armor-piercing ammunition is prohibited. "Armor piercing bullet" means any handgun bullet or handgun ammunition with projectiles or projectile cores, or fully jacketed bullets larger than 22 caliber designed and intended for use in a handgun and whose jacket has a weight of more than 25% of the total weight of the projectile, and excluding those handgun projectiles whose cores are composed of soft materials such as copper, lead or lead alloys, zinc or zinc alloys, frangible projectiles designed primarily for sporting purposes, and any other projectiles or projectile cores that the U. S. Secretary of the Treasury finds to be primarily intended to be used for sporting purposes or industrial purposes or that otherwise does not constitute "armor piercing ammunition" as that term is defined by federal law.

Note - Most Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) handgun ammunition commonly used for training is exempt based on jacket weight or core composition. Read the label for details.

Residents must obtain a Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) card in order to buy ammunition. Even if buying ammo outside the state, residents need that FOID card and a driver's license or state-issued identification card in order to take shipment of ammunition.

[720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/24-2.1(a)]

Yes, only with an Illinois CCL, though not in posted buildings, IDNR State Refuge areas, IDNR Dedicated Nature Preserves or IDNR children's playground areas. See the National Parks webpage for links to each Park in Illinois.

You may not concealed carry in any building, real property or parking area under the control of an establishment that serves alcohol on its premises, if more than 50% of the establishment's gross receipts within the prior 3 months is from the sale of alcohol. 

[430 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 66/65(a)(9)]

Any licensee prohibited from carrying a concealed firearm into the parking area of a prohibited location is allowed to carry a concealed firearm on or about his or her person within a vehicle into the parking area and may store a firearm or ammunition concealed in a case within a locked vehicle or locked container out of plain view within the vehicle in the parking area. A licensee may carry a concealed firearm in the immediate area surrounding his or her vehicle within a prohibited parking lot area only for the limited purpose of storing or retrieving a firearm within the vehicle's trunk. For purposes of this subsection, "case" includes a glove compartment or console that completely encloses the concealed firearm or ammunition, the trunk of the vehicle, or a firearm carrying box, shipping box or other container.

Anyone with an FOID card can have a firearm that is not immediately accessible or unloaded and enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container in a vehicle.

[430 Ill. Comp. Stat. 66/65(b)]

No definition of brandishing was found in Illinois law. However, a person commits intimidation when, with intent to cause another to perform or to omit the performance of any act, he or she communicates to another, directly or indirectly by any means, a threat to inflict physical harm on the person threatened or any other person or on property.

[720 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/12-6]

No. The Illinois concealed carry registry is not publicly accessible.

Yes, the state has preemption of firearms laws in Illinois. The regulation, licensing, possession, registration, and transportation of handguns and ammunition for handguns by concealed handgun licensees are exclusive powers and functions of the State. Any ordinance or regulation, or portion thereof that purports to impose regulations or restrictions on licensees or handguns and ammunition for handguns shall be invalid in its application to licensees. 

 Local municipalities can regulate:

• Individuals who do not possess a valid FOID card or CCL; 
• Firearms other than handguns; and
• Matters related to the sale, purchase and storage of all firearms.

 [430 Ill Comp. Stat. §§ 66/90 and 65/13.1(b)]

Yes. 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. It makes it unlawful for any person to knowingly possess an assault weapon, .50 caliber rifle or .50 caliber cartridge 300 days after the effective date of the amendatory act, except possession of weapons registered with the Illinois State Police in the time provided.

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.

​Public Act 102-1116​
​

Yes. Your Illinois driver’s license is linked to your Illinois concealed carry license. Therefore, a law enforcement officer will be notified immediately that you are a concealed carry license holder if they run your driver’s license.

No. Illinois does not require handguns to be registered.

No.

Yes. A Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID) is required when purchasing a handgun in Illinois. However, there is an exception for transfers that occur at the place of business of a federally licensed firearm dealer, if the federally licensed firearm dealer conducts a background check on the prospective recipient of the firearm and follows all other applicable federal, State, and local laws. In addition, Cook County has a one gun purchase per month ordinance. 

[430 Ill. Comp. Stat. 65/3(a-15)(1​) and Cook County Ordinance Sec. 54-183]

18 years old.

Must have a FOID Card. 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. This includes having your application signed by a notary public. Also, he or she must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor other than a traffic offense or adjudged delinquent. The parent or legal guardian providing written consent must be eligible to possess a valid FOID card.

[430 Ill. Comp. Stat. 65/4]

Illinois residents are required to have a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card to purchase or possess a firearm or ammunition in the state, (although new residents that are legally allowed to possess firearms have until 60 days from when they obtain an Illinois driver's license or state ID to obtain a FOID). To be eligible for a FOID card, a person must be 21 years of age or have a parent or guardian sponsor that is eligible for a FOID card.

Based on the passage of HB 562 (2021), the following process will be implemented as of January 1, 2022. The Illinois State Police will create a combined FOID and CCL, offering cardholders the ability to apply for renewal 6 months before the expiration date, and will update FOID and CCL renewal dates to be the same for one cardholder. In addition, FOID card applicants will not be required to submit fingerprints, but if they do, or they share with the Illinois State Police the fingerprints they filed to receive their concealed carry license, they will be eligible for automatic renewal without a renewal fee, provided they purchased a gun sometime within the 10-year period between renewals and passed the ISP background check in the process. 

A FOID card is also required to apply for an Illinois Concealed Carry License (CCL). Private firearms sellers must verify that the purchaser has a valid FOID Card and keep records of the sale for at least 10 years.

You may apply online for a FOID. If you have not used the online portal before, you will start by registering as a new user. Once that is complete, you will need the following:

• An Illinois-issued Driver’s License or State ID Card. Non-residents employed as an armed security guard, law enforcement officer or a member of the U.S. Military stationed in Illinois may need to upload an Out-of-State Affidavit, Employment Requirement Certification and possibly additional documents proving employment status or military orders
• A passport-sized photo of yourself taken in the last 30 days
• Any necessary fees (there is a military fee exemption)

Individuals that do not have access to a computer or device that can access the website, may submit an application through an alternative call-in method. Applicants may call the ISP at 217-782-7980 and a call-taker will complete your application over the phone, including payment in the form of a credit card, debit card or electronic check. Upon payment, the application will be mailed to you. Upon receipt, you will need to answer some criminal history questions, attach a photograph and sign the application. Applicants will need to return the application back to the Firearms Services Bureau for final processing.

Your application will be either approved or denied within 30 days of the date on which it is received (Please note that the Illinois State Police may not meet the statutory timelines for issuing FOID cards or CCLs). You can check the status of your application on the FOID website. A FOID card is valid for 10 years, unless the person no longer meets the requirements or becomes subject to suspension or revocation as detailed below.

To renew your FOID card, you may do so online  or use the alternative call-in method by calling 217-782-7980, Fill-in-the-blank paper applications are no longer accepted.

According to a release from ISP preceding January 1, 2022:When a new FOID card is issued and the holder has a valid CCL, Conceal Carry License, the holder will get a combined card.

• When a FOID Card is suspended and the cardholder has a CCL, the CCL will be suspended until the FOID Card is reinstated. Upon reinstatement of the FOID Card, if eligible, the CCL will be reinstated as well.
• When a CCL is suspended or revoked but the person is still eligible to possess a FOID card, they will retain the issued combined card, but it will not show a valid CCL in the Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS).
• When a FOID Card expires during the term of a CCL, the FOID Card will be automatically renewed without paying a renewal fee and the licensee will be sent a new combined FOID Card and CCL.

“We are pleased by the fact that this will decrease duplicity within the FOID and CCL program which will in turn save time and money for both applicants and taxpayers,” said ISP Director Brendan Kelly.

An Applicants must:

• Be an Illinois resident or employed in Illinois as a security guard, law enforcement officer or by the US military;
• Complete a paper application by calling (217)782-7980 or apply online;
• Be at least 21 years old or have aparent or guardian sponsor who is eligible for a FOID card; 
• Not have been convicted of any felony under the laws of this or any other jurisdiction;
• Not have been adjudicated as a mental defective;
• Not have been a patient in a mental institution or any part of a medical facility for the treatment of mental illness within the past 5 years;
• Not be intellectually disabled or developmentally disabled;
• Not have used or been addicted to any controlled substance or narcotics in violation of state or federal law within the past year;
• Not be the subject of an existing Order of Protection or a No Contact/No Stalking Order;
• Not have been convicted of battery, assault, aggravated assault, violation of an order of protection, or a substantially similar offense in which a firearm was used or possessed within the past 5 years;
• Not have been convicted of domestic battery (felony or misdemeanor), aggravated domestic battery or a substantially similar offense;
• Not have been adjudicated by a court as a mental defective or ordered by a court, board or authorized entity to in-patient or out-patient mental health treatment;
• Not be an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States;
• Not have failed a drug test for a drug for which you did not have a prescription within the past year;
• Not have been admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant visa of the Immigration and Nationality Act;
• Never have renounced my citizenship as a citizen of the United States;
• Not have been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions;
• Not be a fugitive from justice; and
• Not be prohibited from acquiring or possessing firearms or firearm ammunition by any Illinois State statute or by federal law.

An applicant must:

• Be 21 years old;
• Have applied for, or have a valid Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID) — FOIDs are valid for 10 years and are processed in 30 days;
• Not have been convicted of a felony;
• Not have failed a drug test for a drug for which the applicant did not have a prescription within the previous year;
• Not have been convicted or found guilty of a misdemeanor involving the threat of physical force or violence to any person within the past 5 years;
• Not have two or more violations related to driving while under the influence of alcohol, other drugs or intoxicating compounds within the past 5 years;
• Not be subject to a pending arrest warrant, prosecution or proceeding for an offense or action that could lead to disqualification to own or possess a firearm;
• Not have been in a residential or court-ordered treatment for alcoholism, alcohol detoxification or drug treatment within the past 5 years; and
• Meet federal law requirements

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Illinois.

Based on the passage of HB 562 (2021), the following process will be implemented as of January 1, 2022. The Illinois State Police will create a combined FOID and CCL, offering cardholders the ability to apply for renewal 6 months before the expiration date, and and will update FOID and CCL renewal dates to be the same for one cardholder.

Beginning January 1, 2022, if the FOID expires during the term of the licensee's CCL, the FOID and the license remain valid during the validity of the CCL and the licensee does not have to renew his or her FOID, if the FOID has not been otherwise renewed as provided in this Act. Unless the Illinois State Police has reason to believe the licensee is no longer eligible for the card, the Illinois State Police may automatically renew the licensee's FOID.

5 years

Link to application

Notify the Department within 30 days of moving or changing residence or any change of name and submit the appropriate fee. The Department may require a notarized statement that you have changed your residence or name, including the prior and current address or name and the date you moved or changed your name.

Moving to Illinois and interested in applying for a resident license? How soon can you apply?Illinois issues licenses to residents and select non-residents as noted above. Residents are required to obtain a Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) card in order to apply for a license. Non-residents are not required to have a FOID provided they have a valid concealed carry permit issued in their home state. Any new resident who is not otherwise prohibited from possessing or using a firearm, is not required to have a FOID card to possess firearms or firearms ammunition, until 60 calendar days after he or she obtains an Illinois driver's license or Illinois ID Card.

Moving from Illinois and have a Illinois resident license? Does that license transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Illinois license remains valid?Simply mail your FOID and CCL back to the Firearms Services Bureau at 801 S. 7th Street, Suite 400M, Springfield Illinois 62703. Include a note that you have moved out of state and are surrendering your FOID/CCL. If you are moving to a substantially similar state and wish to have an Illinois CCL, you will have to re-apply as a non-resident.

Based on the passage of HB 562 (2021), the following process will be implemented as of January 1, 2022.

• The Illinois State Police will create a combined FOID and CCL, offering cardholders the ability to apply for renewal 6 months before the expiration date, and will update FOID and CCL renewal dates to be the same for one cardholder.
• FOID card applicants will not be required to submit fingerprints, but if they do, or they share with the Illinois State Police the fingerprints they filed to receive their concealed carry license, they will be eligible for automatic renewal without a renewal fee, provided they purchased a gun sometime within the 10-year period between renewals and passed the ISP background check in the process. 

However, it is not known when this process will be implemented. Therefore, the following steps to apply for a permit have not yet been updated.

• Carry in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol? You may not concealed carry in any building, real property or parking area under the control of an establishment that serves alcohol on its premises, if more than 50% of the establishment's gross receipts within the prior 3 months is from the sale of alcohol. 
• Carry in my vehicle without a permit/license? No.
• Carry in roadside rest areas? No.
• Carry in state/national parks, state/national forests, and WMAs? Yes.
• Carry in places of worship? There is no State statute prohibiting concealed carry in places of worship. However, since places of worship are private property, they may post signs prohibiting firearms.
• Carry on public transportation? No.

You can own any knife you would like as long as it is not a ballistic knife or throwing star. Carry of a switchblade is legal with a FOID card. Automatic knives are in the gray area since they are activated by pressing a button, but balisong knives are legal. However, there are some areas (such as courthouses, public parks, public transportation) that are off-limits.

[Ill. Public Act 100-0082 & 720 Comp. Stat. § 5/24-1]

Yes. Based on the passage of HB 562 (2021), as of January 1, 2022, CCL holders will be able to carry a handgun in accordance with the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.

[520 ILCS 5/2.11]

Illinois is one of just two states with statutes against carrying a concealed firearm while wearing a mask (the other being California). However, sheriffs and county prosecutors in Illinois have made statements indicating that wearing a mask to protect others from COVID-19 while carrying a gun isn’t illegal as long as the wearer isn’t wearing the mask while committing a crime.

[720 ILCS 5/24-1(a)(9)]