Illinois Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Illinois have an Assault Weapons Ban? | ✅ Yes. Illinois enacted an assault weapons ban in 2023, including high-capacity magazines and certain semi-automatic firearms. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | ✅ Yes. Private sales must go through a licensed dealer or include verification via FOID card check. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. Federally licensed dealers must run NICS background checks. |
| Is Illinois a Stand Your Ground state? | 🚫 No. Illinois does not have a formal Stand Your Ground law, but self-defense laws apply under limited circumstances. |
| What kind of restrictions does Illinois have? |
|
| Does Illinois have any gun storage laws? | ✅ Yes. Secure storage is required to prevent access by minors and unauthorized users. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in Illinois? | ✅ Yes. No specific law limits bulk purchases, but all sales are subject to waiting periods and FOID compliance. |
| Does Illinois have a red flag law? | ✅ Yes. Illinois has a Firearms Restraining Order law (ERPO) allowing temporary removal of firearms from high-risk individuals. |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
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| Do I have to register my guns in Illinois? | ⚠️ Yes. Certain municipalities and weapons types require registration, especially under the 2023 Protect Illinois Communities Act. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | ✅ Yes. A valid FOID card is required for all firearm purchases. |
| Does Illinois have a waiting period for firearms? | ✅ Yes. 72-hour waiting period applies to all firearm transfers. |
✅ Yes. Illinois enacted an assault weapons ban in 2023, including high-capacity magazines and certain semi-automatic firearms.
✅ Yes. Private sales must go through a licensed dealer or include verification via FOID card check.
✅ Yes. Federally licensed dealers must run NICS background checks.
🚫 No. Illinois does not have a formal Stand Your Ground law, but self-defense laws apply under limited circumstances.
- ⚠️ Waiting periods: 72 hours for all firearm purchases
- ⚠️ FOID card required for purchase/ownership
- ⚠️ Assault weapons & large magazines banned statewide as of 2023
- ⚠️ State registration for certain firearms
- ⚠️ Restrictions on sales to minors & prohibited persons
✅ Yes. Secure storage is required to prevent access by minors and unauthorized users.
✅ Yes. No specific law limits bulk purchases, but all sales are subject to waiting periods and FOID compliance.
✅ Yes. Illinois has a Firearms Restraining Order law (ERPO) allowing temporary removal of firearms from high-risk individuals.
- ℹ️ 18+ for long guns
- ℹ️ 21+ for handguns (must have a valid FOID).
⚠️ Yes. Certain municipalities and weapons types require registration, especially under the 2023 Protect Illinois Communities Act.
✅ Yes. A valid FOID card is required for all firearm purchases.
✅ Yes. 72-hour waiting period applies to all firearm transfers.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Illinois allow Open Carry? | 🚫 Not legal. Open carry of firearms is prohibited in public in Illinois. |
| Does Illinois allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Legal with a valid Illinois Concealed Carry License (CCL). |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Legal. Pepper spray and stun guns are allowed for self-defense with some restrictions. |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ Most public areas, with a CCL, except restricted locations. |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 Schools, government buildings, public transit, bars, courthouses, and posted areas. |
| States honored? | 🚫 Illinois does not honor any other state’s concealed carry permits. |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ The following states currently recognize Illinois CCP:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ (CCL) is valid for 5 years |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. Only handguns may be carried concealed with a CCP. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ Required. A CCL is mandatory for concealed carry, and a FOID is required to possess firearms, Issued through the Illinois State Police |
🚫 Not legal. Open carry of firearms is prohibited in public in Illinois.
✅ Legal with a valid Illinois Concealed Carry License (CCL).
✅ Legal. Pepper spray and stun guns are allowed for self-defense with some restrictions.
✅ Most public areas, with a CCL, except restricted locations.
🚫 Schools, government buildings, public transit, bars, courthouses, and posted areas.
🚫 Illinois does not honor any other state’s concealed carry permits.
✅ The following states currently recognize Illinois CCP:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ (CCL) is valid for 5 years
🚫 No. Only handguns may be carried concealed with a CCP.
ℹ️ Required. A CCL is mandatory for concealed carry, and a FOID is required to possess firearms, Issued through the Illinois State Police
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Licensing & FOID Info | |
| Firearm Laws & Legal Info | |
| Online & In‑Person Training | |
| Gun Safety & Education |
Illinois Leadership
- Born: January 19, 1965 (Athens, Greece)
- Term Started: January 14, 2019
- Previous Role: Businessman and philanthropist
- Born: November 21, 1944 (East St. Louis, IL)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 1997
- Committees:
- Judiciary (Ranking Member)
- Agriculture Nutrition and Forestry
- Appropriations
- Born: March 12, 1968 (Bangkok, Thailand)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2017
- Committees:
- Armed Services
- Commerce Science and Transportation (Chair of Aviation Subcommittee)
- Foreign Relations
- Small Business and Entrepreneurship