Compliance Guides

Step-by-step guides to help you navigate Illinois firearms compliance.

Showing 13 of 13 guides

Purchase Compliance

Buying a Handgun in Illinois: Step-by-Step

A complete walkthrough for purchasing a handgun in Illinois, including FOID card requirements, the FTIP background check, and the 72-hour waiting period.

PurchaseFOIDFTIP72-Hour Wait

Buying a Rifle or Shotgun in Illinois

Complete guide to purchasing rifles and shotguns in Illinois, including FOID card requirements, PICA restrictions, the 72-hour waiting period, and age rules.

PurchaseFOID72-Hour Wait

First-Time Gun Buyer Guide for Illinois

A step-by-step guide covering everything first-time gun buyers in Illinois need to know, from obtaining a FOID card to completing your first purchase.

PurchaseFOID72-Hour Wait

Transportation

Does Illinois Have a Peaceable Journey Law? Transporting Firearms Through Illinois

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.

Transporting Firearms in Illinois

How to legally transport firearms in Illinois, with a complete breakdown of the rules for FOID-only holders, CCL holders, and non-residents in transit.

TransportFOIDCCLVehicle Carry

Reciprocity

Illinois Concealed Carry Reciprocity Guide

Illinois does not recognize any other state's concealed carry permits. This guide covers reciprocity rules, the non-resident CCL option, and FOPA law.

Non-ResidentFOPACCLCCW

Traveling Between IL, IN, WI, MO, and IA With Firearms

Practical guide for traveling with firearms between Illinois and its neighboring states, covering reciprocity gaps, FOPA protections, and transport law.

TransportNon-ResidentFOPA

Self-Defense

Illinois Self-Defense Law: Castle Doctrine and Use of Force

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.

Self-DefenseCastle Doctrine

Legal Analysis

Cook County vs. State Law: Navigating Local Firearms Ordinances

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.

Cook CountyHome Rule

Federal vs. Illinois Law: Where They Overlap and Diverge

Illinois law often exceeds federal firearms requirements. Firearm owners generally must comply with both systems unless federal law preempts a state requirement.

FederalFOPA

Illinois Preemption: What Home-Rule Municipalities Can Regulate

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 CountyHome Rule

PICA Compliance

How to Register a Pre-Owned Assault Weapon (Endorsement Affidavit)

Step-by-step guide to the Illinois endorsement affidavit process for registering pre-owned assault weapons under the Protect Illinois Communities Act.

RegistrationPICAISPEndorsement Affidavit

PICA Compliance: What Firearms Are Still Legal in Illinois

Practical guide to which firearms remain fully legal under the Protect Illinois Communities Act, including compliant configurations and magazine limits.

Assault WeaponsPICAEndorsement Affidavit