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

This guide covers travel between Illinois and Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Iowa. These states have different firearms laws. Illinois provides a vehicle exception for qualifying nonresidents under 430 ILCS 66/40(e). This guide provides a state-by-state overview of what you need to know when crossing these borders with firearms.^[1]

Illinois Carry Rules for Out-of-State Permit Holders

Your home state's concealed carry permit does not by itself authorize concealed carry outside your vehicle in Illinois. Qualifying nonresidents may carry within their vehicle under 430 ILCS 66/40(e). You must immediately comply with Illinois law, which means:^[2]

• Generally, public concealed carry of a loaded handgun requires an Illinois CCL. Statutory exceptions include carrying on your own land or in your abode, legal dwelling, or fixed place of business, and exemptions under Section 24-2 of the Criminal Code. Inside your vehicle, 430 ILCS 66/40(e) allows a nonresident without an Illinois CCL who is not federally prohibited from possessing a firearm and is eligible to carry in public under their home state's law to keep a loaded concealed firearm within the vehicle. They must possess a home-state concealed carry license or permit if applicable. If they leave the vehicle unattended, they must store the firearm in a locked vehicle or locked container within the vehicle in accordance with Section 65(b).
• Unless an Illinois carry exception applies, the Criminal Code's vehicle transport exceptions cover firearms that are broken down in a non-functioning state or are not immediately accessible, as well as firearms that are unloaded and enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container by a person with a currently valid FOID card.
• Ammunition does not have to be stored separately under Illinois law or federal FOPA protection (18 U.S.C. 926A). FOPA requires the firearm to be unloaded and neither the firearm nor ammunition to be readily accessible or directly accessible from the passenger compartment. In a vehicle without a separate compartment, the firearm or ammunition must be in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.

State-by-State Overview

Illinois to Indiana

Indiana is a constitutional carry state as of July 1, 2022. No permit is required to carry a handgun openly or concealed for persons who are at least 18 and not otherwise prohibited. When crossing from Illinois into Indiana:

• Your Illinois CCL is recognized according to its terms while you are not an Indiana resident. Eligible persons may carry without a permit in Indiana.
• You may carry a loaded handgun on your person or in your vehicle once you are in Indiana
• When returning to Illinois, an Illinois CCL holder may continue carrying a concealed handgun subject to Illinois law. Qualifying nonresidents may keep a concealed handgun in their vehicle under 430 ILCS 66/40(e). Otherwise, unload and case firearms before crossing the border

Illinois to Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a shall-issue state. Concealed handgun carry generally requires a Wisconsin license or a recognized out-of-state license, with exceptions including carry in your own dwelling or place of business or on land you own, lease, or legally occupy. Wisconsin does recognize the Illinois CCL. When traveling:

• Holders of a valid Illinois CCL who are at least 21 and are not Wisconsin residents may carry concealed in Wisconsin, subject to Wisconsin law
• Illinois does not generally recognize Wisconsin carry permits. Under 430 ILCS 66/40(e), a nonresident who does not hold an Illinois CCL, is not federally prohibited, and may lawfully carry in public in their home state may keep a concealed handgun within their vehicle in Illinois. They must possess a home-state carry permit if applicable
• Wisconsin generally permits open carry of a handgun without a permit for persons 18 and older who may lawfully possess firearms, outside restricted locations
• When returning to Illinois, an Illinois CCL holder may continue carrying a concealed handgun subject to Illinois law. Qualifying nonresidents may keep a concealed handgun in their vehicle under 430 ILCS 66/40(e). Otherwise, unload and case firearms before crossing the border

Illinois to Missouri

Missouri is a constitutional carry state as of January 1, 2017. Missouri generally permits concealed carry without a permit outside restricted locations, regardless of state residency. Its vehicle exception covers anyone 19 or older, or 18 or older who is a U.S. Armed Forces member or has been honorably discharged, transporting a lawfully possessed concealable firearm in the passenger compartment. When traveling:

• Your Illinois CCL is recognized in Missouri, but Missouri also allows permitless carry for residents and nonresidents
• A recognized carry permit provides exceptions to specified Missouri carry restrictions for residents and nonresidents alike
• When returning to Illinois, an Illinois CCL holder may continue carrying a concealed handgun subject to Illinois law. Qualifying nonresidents may keep a concealed handgun in their vehicle under 430 ILCS 66/40(e). Otherwise, unload and case firearms before crossing the border

Illinois to Iowa

Iowa is a constitutional carry state as of July 1, 2021. No permit is required for otherwise lawful open or concealed handgun carry, but Iowa restrictions on carrying still apply. When traveling:

• Your valid Illinois CCL is recognized in Iowa if you are not an Iowa resident, but Iowa also allows otherwise lawful permitless carry
• Illinois does not generally recognize Iowa carry permits. Under 430 ILCS 66/40(e), a nonresident who does not hold an Illinois CCL, is not federally prohibited, and may lawfully carry in public in their home state may keep a concealed handgun within their vehicle in Illinois. If the vehicle is left unattended, the handgun must be stored within a locked vehicle or locked container within the vehicle in accordance with Section 65(b) of the Act. They must possess a home-state carry permit if applicable
• When returning to Illinois, an Illinois CCL holder may continue carrying a concealed handgun subject to Illinois law. Qualifying nonresidents may keep a concealed handgun in their vehicle under 430 ILCS 66/40(e). Otherwise, unload and case firearms before crossing the border

Federal FOPA for Interstate Travel

The Firearms Owners Protection Act (FOPA) provides protection for interstate firearm transportation that meets its conditions. FOPA provides that a person who is not federally prohibited from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm may transport it for a lawful purpose between places where they may lawfully possess and carry it, even through restrictive states, subject to these conditions.^[3]

• The firearm is unloaded and neither readily accessible nor directly accessible from the passenger compartment (in the trunk, or in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console in vehicles without a separate compartment)
• Ammunition is not readily accessible or directly accessible from the passenger compartment. In a vehicle without a separate compartment, the firearm or ammunition must be in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console
• Access to the firearm and ammunition during a hotel stay can put a traveler outside FOPA protection

Practical Tips for Multi-State Travel

• Before leaving Illinois: If you are an Illinois CCL holder, you may carry a loaded, concealed handgun before reaching the state border, subject to Illinois carry restrictions. Understand the destination state's laws before crossing.
• Re-entering Illinois: Before crossing back into Illinois, determine whether your Illinois CCL or the nonresident vehicle exception applies. If neither applies, unload and case your firearm before the state line. Illinois law and FOPA do not require separate ammunition storage.
• Driving through Chicago: Be especially cautious. Ensure strict compliance with all Illinois transport rules when driving through the city.
• Ammunition and magazines: Remember that Illinois generally limits magazines to 10 rounds for long guns and 15 rounds for handguns under PICA, with statutory exclusions and exceptions, including restricted possession of devices lawfully possessed before January 10, 2023. If you are carrying magazines that comply with your home state but exceed Illinois limits, you may be in violation while in Illinois.
• Documentation: Carry your FOID card or a valid Illinois CCL in your physical possession unless a statutory exemption applies, such as the exemption for nonresidents with unloaded, cased firearms. Carry a valid photo ID as well.

What to Do If Stopped by Police

Illinois does not require you to proactively inform an officer that you have a firearm. During an investigative stop, including a traffic stop, a licensee must disclose the concealed firearm upon the officer's request or satisfy that duty by presenting the CCL. Upon request, the licensee must also identify the firearm's location and permit the officer to safely secure it for the stop. Possession of a valid CCL satisfies the FOID card possession requirement under 430 ILCS 65/2(c-5). Keep your hands visible, inform the officer of the firearm's location, and follow all instructions. If you are a non-resident relying on FOPA, calmly explain that you are traveling through and that the firearm is unloaded and cased.^[1]