The reference for Illinois firearms law.
Every statute cited and every change documented with its source.
Illinois has no firearms statute called a peaceable journey law. Nonresidents traveling with firearms rely on the FOID Act exemptions for nonresidents, the vehicle rule in Section 40(e) of the Firearm Concealed Carry Act and the federal transport rule in 18 U.S.C. 926A.
Illinois law often exceeds federal firearms requirements. Firearm owners generally must comply with both systems unless federal law preempts a state requirement.
Illinois partially preempts local firearms regulation. Handgun regulation and registration are state-exclusive for valid FOID card holders or concealed carry licensees. New local bans on possession or ownership of assault weapons that conflict with the FOID Act are barred.
Cook County maintains firearms ordinances that differ from and exceed state law where local regulation has not been preempted. Residents must comply with state law and applicable county or municipal requirements. A municipal ordinance prevails within its jurisdiction when it conflicts with a home-rule county ordinance.
Illinois allows force intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm only if the person reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to themselves or another, or the commission of a forcible felony. Under instruction 24-25.09X, a person who has not initially provoked the use of force against themselves has no duty to attempt to escape the danger before using force against the aggressor.
Step-by-step guide to the Illinois endorsement affidavit process for registering pre-owned assault weapons under the Protect Illinois Communities Act.
SB2756 became Public Act 104-0627 on July 24, 2026 and takes effect January 1, 2027. Deer hunters may then use centerfire rifles and handguns that hold no more than 3 rounds, replacing the single-shot rifle rule.
Illinois Public Act 104-0030 (HB1373) makes eTrace use and collective data sharing mandatory for Illinois law enforcement agencies handling covered recovered firearms. When practicable, NIBIN-suitable evidence and test fires must be entered within 2 business days after submission to a site with NIBIN access, subject to forensic-analysis exceptions. Effective July 28, 2025. The law places no direct duty on civilian gun owners.
The U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari on April 6, 2026 in Schoenthal v. Raoul, leaving in place the Seventh Circuit ruling that upheld Illinois' prohibition on carrying concealed firearms on public transit. CTA, Metra, Pace, and other publicly funded transit remain subject to the carry prohibition, with exceptions for firearms that are broken down, properly stored, or not immediately accessible.
House Bill 1611, known as the Anjanette Young Act, proposes requirements for residential search warrant execution in Illinois, including knock-and-announce mandates, no-knock warrant restrictions, time-of-day limitations, and body camera footage requirements. The bill was re-referred to Rules Committee on April 17, 2026 under Rule 19(a) and remains unenacted.
A group of Senate bills initially facing March 27, 2026 committee deadlines would change firearm-transfer inquiry fees and printed expiration dates on FOID and combined cards. Other proposals address renewal deadlines and wording on photograph-exempt cards.
HB5483 and SB3909 would amend the Illinois Procurement Code to impose new requirements on state purchases of firearms and ammunition. State agencies would have to reject bids that do not comply with the applicable bill's requirements.
House Bill 0034 would prohibit firearms at polling places in Illinois, adding election sites to the list of gun-free zones under the Election Code.
HB5320 would add school instruction on firearm ownership risks and require certified dealers to provide risk information to firearm purchasers. HB1790 would offer an income tax credit for eligible firearm safety device purchases.