Purchasing a handgun in Illinois requires meeting both state and federal requirements. This guide covers each step of the process, from prerequisites to taking the handgun home.[1]
Prerequisites
Before you can buy a handgun in Illinois, you must have:
- A valid FOID card issued by the Illinois State Police
- A valid Illinois driver's license or state identification card
- Be at least 21 years of age (federal law prohibits FFLs from selling handguns to anyone under 21)
Persons aged 18 to 20 with a FOID card may possess a handgun obtained through private transfer or gift but cannot purchase one from a licensed dealer.[2]
Step 1: Select a Handgun at a Licensed Dealer
Visit a dealer that holds both a Federal Firearms License and an Illinois Firearm Dealer License Certification (FDLC). When you find the handgun you want, inform the dealer you would like to begin the purchase process. The dealer will ask to see your FOID card and photo ID.[3]
Step 2: Complete ATF Form 4473
The dealer will have you fill out ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record). This is the federal form required for all firearms purchases from licensed dealers. Answer every question truthfully -- providing false information on Form 4473 is a federal felony.
Step 3: FTIP Background Check
The dealer submits your information to the Illinois State Police Firearms Transfer Inquiry Program (FTIP). Unlike many states that rely solely on the federal NICS system, Illinois runs its own background check through the ISP, which searches:[4]
- Illinois criminal history records
- FBI/NICS databases
- Department of Human Services files (mental health and developmental disability records)
If you have previously submitted fingerprints through the FTIP system, your background check may be processed more quickly. The dealer will notify you once the check is approved.[5]
Step 4: Wait 72 Hours
Illinois law mandates a 72-hour waiting period for all firearm purchases, including handguns. The waiting period begins when you initiate the purchase. Even if the FTIP check is approved within minutes, the dealer cannot release the handgun to you until 72 full hours have passed.[6]
Step 5: Pick Up Your Handgun
After the 72-hour waiting period and background check approval, return to the dealer to take possession. Bring your FOID card and photo ID. The dealer will complete the transfer paperwork and release the handgun to you.
Buying a Handgun Through a Private Sale
If you purchase a handgun from a private seller, the transfer must go through one of two channels:[7]
- Through an FFL: The seller and buyer bring the handgun to a licensed dealer, who runs the FTIP background check and processes the transfer
- Direct FOID verification: The seller verifies the buyer's FOID card through the ISP portal at verify.ispfsb.com
In both cases, the 72-hour waiting period applies. The seller must retain a record of the transfer for at least 10 years, including the date, the buyer's FOID card number, and the buyer's identity.[8]
PICA Magazine Restrictions
Under the Protect Illinois Communities Act, handgun magazines are limited to 15 rounds. If the handgun you are purchasing comes with a magazine that holds more than 15 rounds, the dealer must replace it with a compliant magazine or remove the non-compliant one before transferring the firearm to you.[9]
After the Purchase
- Transport: Without a Concealed Carry License (CCL), transport the handgun unloaded and enclosed in a case. Ammunition must be stored separately.
- Storage: Illinois's Safe Gun Storage Act (720 ILCS 5/24-9) requires secure storage in premises where minors, at-risk persons, or prohibited persons may gain access.
- Concealed carry: You need a separate CCL to carry a loaded, concealed handgun. The CCL requires 16 hours of approved training, a live-fire qualification, and a $150 application fee.
See also: Buying a Rifle or Shotgun in Illinois