Illinois requires a permit for concealed carry under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66/). Permits are "shall issue," meaning the state must issue a permit if requirements are met. Applicants must be 21 or older, complete a 16-hour training course (covering laws, safety, and live-fire proficiency), pass a background check, and have a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card (430 ILCS 65/). Concealed carry is banned in "prohibited areas" like schools, government buildings, public transportation, and bars (430 ILCS 66/65). Private property owners can prohibit firearms with proper signage (430 ILCS 66/70). Violations can lead to misdemeanor charges, with penalties up to 1 year in jail, or felony charges for repeat offenses, with up to 3 years in prison.
Costs: The concealed carry license (CCL) fee is $150 for residents ($200 for non-residents), plus a $10 FOID card fee. Training courses cost $150-$300. Total costs are typically $310-$460.
Processing Time: CCL applications are processed within 90 days (120 days if fingerprints are not submitted), but delays can occur if additional background checks are needed.
Renewal: A CCL is valid for 5 years. Renewal costs $150 and requires a 3-hour refresher course ($50-$100).
Reciprocity: Illinois does not honor concealed carry permits from any other state, and no state recognizes Illinois permits due to strict requirements.
Open carry is prohibited in Illinois under 720 ILCS 5/24-1. You cannot openly carry a handgun in public, even with a concealed carry license. Open carry of long guns (rifles and shotguns) is also restricted in most public places, and local ordinances often ban it entirely. Displaying a firearm in a threatening manner can lead to charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon (720 ILCS 5/24-1.6). Violations can result in felony charges, with penalties up to 7 years in prison.
Illinois has strict restrictions on firearm types. Assault weapons and .50 caliber rifles are banned under the Protect Illinois Communities Act (720 ILCS 5/24-1.9), effective January 2023. Large-capacity magazines (more than 10 rounds for long guns, 15 for handguns) are prohibited (720 ILCS 5/24-1.10). Silencers, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and machine guns are banned beyond federal restrictions (720 ILCS 5/24-1). Ghost guns must be serialized, and unserialized firearms are illegal (720 ILCS 5/24-5.1). Certain individuals, like felons, cannot possess firearms (720 ILCS 5/24-1.1). Violations can lead to felony charges, with penalties up to 10 years in prison.
Costs: There are no additional state fees for restricted firearms since most are banned, but serialization of ghost guns may cost $50-$100.
Interstate travel with firearms through or into Illinois is regulated. The federal Firearms Owners' Protection Act (FOPA) (18 U.S.C. § 926A) allows transport across state lines if you can legally possess the firearm in your starting and destination states. Firearms must be unloaded, in a locked container, and not accessible (not in the glove box). Illinois law requires a valid FOID card to possess or transport firearms (430 ILCS 65/2). Non-residents without a FOID card can transport firearms only if they comply with FOPA and are passing through. Firearms are banned in "prohibited areas" like schools and government buildings (430 ILCS 66/65). Violations can lead to felony charges, with penalties up to 7 years in prison.
Purchasing a firearm in Illinois is heavily regulated. A Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card is required for all purchases, including private sales (430 ILCS 65/2). You must be 21 to buy any firearm, pass a background check through the Illinois State Police, and wait 72 hours for handguns or 24 hours for long guns (720 ILCS 5/24-3). Background checks are required for private sales (430 ILCS 65/3a). Assault weapons and large-capacity magazines are banned (720 ILCS 5/24-1.9). Certain individuals, like felons, cannot purchase firearms (720 ILCS 5/24-1.1). A safety certificate is not required, but a FOID card requires a mental health check.
Costs: A FOID card costs $10 (valid for 10 years). Background check fees for purchases are $2 per transaction. Total fees per purchase are typically $12.
Processing Time: FOID card processing takes 30 days, and background checks for purchases can take up to 72 hours.
Illinois requires a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card to possess or purchase firearms, which acts as a form of registration (430 ILCS 65/2). All firearm owners must have a FOID card, and transfers must be reported to the Illinois State Police (430 ILCS 65/3). Assault weapons purchased before the 2023 ban must be registered with the state (720 ILCS 5/24-1.9). Ghost guns must be serialized (720 ILCS 5/24-5.1). There’s no requirement to report lost or stolen firearms. Failure to comply can result in misdemeanor charges, with penalties up to 1 year in jail.
Costs: A FOID card costs $10, valid for 10 years. Serialization of ghost guns may cost $50-$100.
Illinois has moderate firearm storage laws. Under 720 ILCS 5/24-9, firearms must be stored in a locked container or with a trigger lock when not in use if a child under 14 could access them. It’s illegal to leave a firearm where a child can access it if the child uses it to cause injury or death. Penalties can be a misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail) or a felony (up to 5 years in prison) if serious harm occurs. There’s a requirement to report lost or stolen firearms within 72 hours (720 ILCS 5/24-9.5). Dealers are not required to provide locking devices with purchases.
Illinois has limited self-defense laws. Under 720 ILCS 5/7-1, you can use deadly force in your home if someone unlawfully enters and you reasonably believe they pose a threat of death or serious injury. However, Illinois is not a "stand your ground" state—you have a duty to retreat if you can safely do so, even in your home (720 ILCS 5/7-4). Using excessive force can lead to charges like manslaughter, with penalties up to 20 years in prison.