Illinois Gun Laws

Illinois generally requires a 72-hour waiting period for handgun and long-gun purchases, subject to statutory exceptions. Existing firearm ownership alone does not waive the waiting period.

Section 24-1 of the Illinois Criminal Code defines unlawful possession of weapons, covering prohibited carry, possession of banned weapons, and related offenses.

Section 24-1.1 prohibits convicted felons without FOID Act relief from possessing firearms, ammunition or weapons prohibited under Section 24-1. Penalties include Class 3, Class 2 and Class X felonies.

Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (AUUW) under 720 ILCS 5/24-1.6 is an enhanced felony charge for carrying a firearm on or about the person or in any vehicle, or on a public street within a city, village, or incorporated town, when an aggravating factor is present, such as having no currently valid FOID card or carrying an uncased, loaded, and immediately accessible handgun without a concealed carry license.

The Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Repeat Felony Offender statute targets repeat felony offenders who possess firearms. It is a Class X felony with an ordinary prison term of 6 to 30 years, subject to Section 5-4.5-115.

Section 24-3 criminalizes selling or delivering firearms to prohibited persons. Delivery of 31 or more firearms at the same time or within a 5-year period by a person not entitled to their possession who knows them to be stolen or converted is a Class X felony with 6 to 60 years in prison.

Illinois prohibits machine guns, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns under 720 ILCS 5/24-1, subject to the exemptions in 720 ILCS 5/24-2. Violations are generally Class 2 or Class 3 felonies, with a Class X penalty for a loaded machine gun possessed on the person or in a vehicle's passenger compartment.

Illinois restricts open carry of handguns and long guns in public, with statutory exceptions for activities such as lawful hunting and target shooting. A FOID card or CCL does not create a general right to open carry.

Illinois requires a FOID card for firearm and ammunition possession unless a statutory exemption applies. The ISP administers this licensing system under 430 ILCS 65.

Illinois generally requires a FOID card for firearm possession, subject to statutory exceptions. DOJ's September 17, 2026 opinion challenges the federal restriction on handgun dealer sales to adults aged 18 to 20. Illinois eligibility requirements still apply.

Illinois runs FTIP background checks through the ISP alongside federal NICS, searching criminal history, mental health, and restraining order databases.

Since January 2023, FOID holders with fingerprints on file for a FOID card or CCL application qualify for automatic 10-year renewal upon FTIP approval, provided they remain eligible and are not subject to suspension or revocation.

Illinois FOID applications can be submitted online via the ISP portal, with paper applications available for qualifying religious or disability exemptions. Statutory timelines are 30 days for new cards and 60 business days for renewal applications submitted before the card expires.

Illinois applicants under 21 who meet the other eligibility requirements may obtain a FOID card with a notarized consent affidavit from a parent or guardian who qualifies for, but need not hold, a FOID card.

Illinois FOID eligibility requires meeting age, criminal history, mental health, and other criteria. Multiple disqualifiers can bar card issuance.

The ISP may revoke or suspend a FOID card when a holder becomes disqualified. Within 48 hours of receiving revocation notice, the holder must surrender the card, complete a Firearm Disposition Record and place firearms at the location or with the person reported in that record.

Illinois Public Act 104-0398 (SB1899) lets first-time Class 4 felony weapon possession defendants apply for a FOID card after successfully completing a court-ordered diversion program and receiving a court order demonstrating completion. ISP must issue the card upon receiving the order if the person is otherwise eligible, subject to the denial and revocation rules provided by law. Effective January 1, 2026.

SB 1899 (effective January 1, 2026) allows defendants charged with qualifying weapons offenses punishable as a Class 4 felony or lower to apply for a FOID card after successfully completing a diversion program and receiving a court order documenting completion.

Possession of a firearm without a valid FOID card is generally a Class A misdemeanor for an eligible person on a first offense or a Class 3 felony for an ineligible person. Except for the expired-card provisions, a second or subsequent firearm-possession violation by an otherwise eligible person is a Class 4 felony. Possession of a firearm with a card expired for 6 months or less is a petty offense if the person is not otherwise disqualified from owning, purchasing or possessing firearms. Statutory exceptions apply.

Private firearm sellers in Illinois must retain transfer records for 10 years, including the buyer's FOID card number for transfers completed within Illinois, identity, and the date of sale.

The Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66) established Illinois as a shall-issue CCL state in 2013, administered by the Illinois State Police (ISP).

Illinois law under 430 ILCS 66/65 prohibits concealed carry in more than 20 categories of locations, including schools, hospitals, courts, and public transit.

Illinois CCL applicants must be at least 21 and meet applicable FOID and background-check requirements. New applicants generally need at least 16 hours of approved training, subject to credits and statutory exemptions.

During an investigative stop, Illinois CCL holders carrying a concealed firearm must disclose possession or present their CCL upon the officer's request.

Illinois does not honor any other state's carry permits but offers non-resident CCLs to applicants from states with substantially similar firearms laws.

The 430 ILCS 66/65(b) parking area exception allows Illinois CCL holders to carry a concealed firearm within a vehicle into the parking area of most prohibited locations and to store it concealed in a case within a locked vehicle or locked container out of plain view.

Illinois vehicle carry depends on license and residency status. CCL holders may carry loaded handguns in vehicles. FOID card holders may transport unloaded, encased firearms, and qualifying non-residents may carry loaded handguns within their vehicles. Possession without a FOID card is prohibited unless an exemption applies.

Unless exempt under PICA, owners of pre-ban assault weapons must submit an endorsement affidavit to ISP listing each weapon's make, model, caliber, and serial number.

Under PICA, Illinois limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds for long guns (rifles and shotguns) and 15 rounds for handguns. Magazines lawfully possessed before January 10, 2023, may be retained without an endorsement affidavit, but only in the locations the law allows.

PICA defines assault weapons through a features test for semiautomatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns, other criteria such as fixed magazine capacity, and named model lists that include AR types such as the AR-15 and AK types such as the AK47.

Under Section 24-1.9(d), grandfathered assault weapon owners may possess endorsed firearms on authorized private property, at licensed dealers or gunsmiths for lawful repair, and during legal use at properly licensed firing ranges or sport shooting competition venues. Travel to or from these locations requires the weapon to be unloaded and enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container. Section 24-1.9(e) provides exceptions, including expressly permitted hunting and qualifying travel.

Illinois banned assault weapons under PICA (HB 5471), effective January 10, 2023. The law faces active federal court challenges.

Illinois bans bump stocks, trigger cranks, and similar rapid-fire devices under PICA. The device prohibition is a separate offense under state law.

Since July 1, 2023, covered private firearm transfers in Illinois require either a dealer-facilitated background check or ISP FOID card verification, subject to statutory exceptions.

Illinois law at 720 ILCS 5/7-1 justifies force in self-defense when and to the extent a person reasonably believes it is necessary to defend against another person's imminent use of unlawful force.

Illinois codifies the Castle Doctrine at 720 ILCS 5/7-2, justifying force when and to the extent a person reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent or terminate another person's unlawful entry into or attack upon a dwelling. 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.

Under 720 ILCS 5/7-3, Illinois authorizes limited force to protect real and personal property. Force intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm is justified only if the person reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.

Illinois Pattern Jury Instruction 24-25.09X states that 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.

The Firearm Dealer License Certification Act requires Illinois FFLs to obtain an FDLC from the ISP unless exempt. Initial fees are $1,200 for retail locations and $300 for non-retail locations. Training is mandatory, and retail locations must submit safe storage plans.

The Firearms Restraining Order Act (430 ILCS 67) allows Illinois courts to temporarily restrict firearm access for persons deemed a danger to self or others.

Cook County and several municipalities maintain assault weapons bans that predate and in some cases exceed the statewide PICA restrictions enacted in 2023.

Karina's Law provides firearm search warrants for qualifying protective-order respondents. Criminal-order warrants must be executed within 96 hours after issuance. Civil-order deadlines depend on receipt of the warrant, the petitioner's prior report to police, and any correction or court extension.

SB 0008 reduced Illinois's lost or stolen firearm reporting window from 72 to 48 hours upon discovery, with the change taking effect January 2026.

Illinois's Safe Gun Storage Act (430 ILCS 64) requires a firearm owner to secure a firearm in a locked container, unless it is carried by or under the control of the owner or another lawfully authorized user, when the owner knows or reasonably should know that a minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person is likely to gain access to it.

Illinois's Safe Gun Storage Act sets civil penalty caps of $500, $1,000 or $10,000 based on the violation, access to the firearm, injury, death or use in a crime.