The Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA), signed January 10, 2023, banned the sale and acquisition of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in Illinois. However, individuals who lawfully possessed these items before the ban took effect may retain them by submitting an endorsement affidavit to the Illinois State Police (ISP). This guide explains the process.[1]
What Is the Endorsement Affidavit
The endorsement affidavit is a registration document submitted to the ISP that identifies you as the lawful pre-ban owner of a specific assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, or .50 caliber rifle or cartridge. Large-capacity magazines are grandfathered without registration and are not listed on the affidavit (720 ILCS 5/24-1.10(d)). It serves as proof that you possessed the item before January 10, 2023, and that you are grandfathered under PICA's pre-possession exception.[2]
Who Needs to Submit
You must submit an endorsement affidavit if you:
- Possessed an assault weapon (as defined by PICA) before January 10, 2023
- Possessed an assault weapon attachment or a .50 caliber cartridge before January 10, 2023
- Possessed a .50 caliber rifle before January 10, 2023
- Want to continue lawfully possessing any of these items in Illinois
If you did not submit an endorsement affidavit and still possess a pre-ban assault weapon, attachment, or .50 caliber item, you are in violation of PICA regardless of when you acquired it. Grandfathered large-capacity magazines are not affected, because they require no affidavit.
The Registration Deadline
The ISP began accepting endorsement affidavit submissions on October 1, 2023, with a filing deadline of January 1, 2024. If you missed this deadline, contact the ISP Firearms Services Bureau to determine whether late submissions are being accepted and what options may be available. The ISP's assault weapons information page provides current guidance.[2]
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Gather Required Information
Before starting the submission, collect the following for each firearm or other covered item you are registering:
- Your FOID card number
- The make of the firearm (manufacturer)
- The model of the firearm
- The serial number of the firearm
- The caliber or gauge
Step 2: Access the ISP Portal
Log in to the ISP Firearms Services Bureau portal at ispfsb.com using the same credentials you use for your FOID card account. Navigate to the assault weapons endorsement section.[3]
Step 3: Complete the Affidavit
The endorsement affidavit requires you to attest under penalty of law that:
- You lawfully possessed the listed firearm(s) and/or magazine(s) before January 10, 2023
- The information you are providing (make, model, serial number) is accurate
- You understand the possession restrictions that apply to grandfathered items
Step 4: Submit the Affidavit
Submit the completed affidavit electronically through the ISP portal. There is no fee for submitting the endorsement affidavit.
Step 5: Confirmation
After submission, the ISP processes the affidavit and adds the endorsement to your FOID card record. You should receive confirmation through the portal. Keep a copy of your submission and any confirmation for your records.
Possession Rules After Registration
Registering your assault weapon through the endorsement affidavit does not restore full possession privileges. Grandfathered items may only be possessed in the following locations:[4]
- On your private property
- On another person's private property not open to the public (with their permission)
- At a licensed firing range
- During transport between these locations -- the firearm must be unloaded and enclosed in a case
You may not carry a registered grandfathered assault weapon in any public place. Transfers are limited under 720 ILCS 5/24-1.9(d) to a federally licensed dealer, a person outside Illinois who may lawfully receive the weapon, or an in-state heir by inheritance who files their own endorsement affidavit.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Possession of a banned assault weapon without a valid endorsement affidavit is:[1]
- First offense: Class A misdemeanor (up to 364 days in jail, up to $2,500 fine)
- Subsequent offenses: Class 3 felony (2 to 5 years in prison)
Providing false information on the endorsement affidavit is a separate criminal offense.
What If the Law Changes
PICA is currently the subject of multiple federal lawsuits. In November 2024, a federal district court ruled the bans unconstitutional, but the Seventh Circuit stayed that ruling and then reversed it on July 9, 2026, upholding PICA. The law remains in full effect, and compliance is mandatory. The U.S. Supreme Court granted certiorari on June 30, 2026 in Viramontes v. Cook County, consolidated with Grant v. Higgins, a case about AR-15 platform rifles whose outcome could affect PICA, but nothing is enjoined while it is pending. Monitor the ISP's assault weapons page for updates.[5]