Illinois Gun Laws

Illinois requires a 72-hour waiting period for all firearm purchases, applying equally to handguns and long guns with no exceptions for existing owners.

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

Section 24-1.1 prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms, ammunition, or other weapons in Illinois, with Class 3 or Class 2 felony penalties.

Aggravated UUW under 720 ILCS 5/24-1.6 is an enhanced felony charge for carrying firearms without a FOID card or CCL, in vehicles, or in prohibited areas.

The Armed Habitual Criminal statute targets repeat felony offenders who possess firearms. It carries a mandatory Class X felony sentence of 6-30 years.

Section 24-3 criminalizes selling or delivering firearms to prohibited persons. High-volume unlawful sales trigger Class X felony penalties up to 60 years.

Illinois prohibits machine guns, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns under 720 ILCS 5/24-1. Violations are Class 2 or Class 3 felonies.

Illinois prohibits open carry of firearms in all public places. Neither FOID card holders nor CCL holders may openly carry handguns or long guns in public.

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

Illinois requires a FOID card for firearm possession. Applicants under 21 need parental consent, and federal law bars handgun dealer purchases under 21.

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 who submit fingerprints to the ISP qualify for automatic 10-year renewal without reapplication.

Illinois FOID applications are submitted online via the ISP portal. Statutory timelines are 30 days for new cards and 60 business days for renewals.

Illinois residents aged 18-20 may obtain a FOID card only with written parental consent from a parent or guardian who holds a valid 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. Revocation triggers a 48-hour firearm surrender or transfer obligation.

Illinois Public Act 104-0398 (SB1899) lets first-time Class 4 felony weapon possession defendants apply for a FOID card during a court-ordered diversion program. ISP must approve or deny within 10 business days of program completion. Effective January 1, 2026.

SB 1899 (effective January 1, 2026) allows first-time Class 4 felony weapons offenders to apply for a FOID card during court-approved diversion programs.

Possessing firearms without a valid FOID card is a Class A misdemeanor (first offense, eligible) or Class 3 felony (ineligible). Second offense by an eligible person is a Class 4 felony. Limited exceptions apply.

Private firearm sellers in Illinois must retain transfer records for 10 years, including the buyer's FOID card number, 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 years old, hold a valid FOID card, pass ISP background checks, and complete 16 hours of approved training.

Illinois CCL holders have no affirmative duty to inform officers of their carry status but must truthfully disclose and present credentials on 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 store cased, concealed firearms in locked vehicles at prohibited locations.

Illinois has three vehicle carry tiers based on license status: CCL holders may carry loaded, FOID-only must encase unloaded, and unlicensed is barred.

Illinois requires owners of pre-ban assault weapons to submit an endorsement affidavit to the ISP listing each weapon's make, model, and serial number.

Under PICA, Illinois limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds for rifles and 15 rounds for handguns. Pre-owned magazines may be retained with an endorsement.

PICA defines assault weapons through two prongs: a features-based test for semiautomatic firearms and a named model list including AR-15 and AK-47 variants.

Grandfathered assault weapon owners in Illinois may only possess registered firearms on private property, at licensed ranges, and during enclosed transport.

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. These devices are classified alongside assault weapons under state law.

Since July 1, 2023, all private firearm transfers in Illinois require either a dealer-facilitated background check or ISP online FOID card verification.

Illinois law at 720 ILCS 5/7-1 authorizes the use of force in self-defense when a person reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent unlawful force.

Illinois codifies the Castle Doctrine at 720 ILCS 5/7-2, authorizing force to prevent unlawful entry or attack upon a dwelling with no retreat required.

Under 720 ILCS 5/7-3, Illinois authorizes limited force to protect real and personal property from trespass or criminal interference but bars deadly force.

Illinois imposes no statutory duty to retreat before using force in self-defense, whether inside or outside the home, as established through case law.

The Gun Dealer Licensing Act requires all Illinois FFLs to obtain a state FDLC from the ISP, with fees up to $1,200, mandatory training, and 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.

Illinois's Safe Gun Storage Act creates child access prevention obligations requiring locked firearm storage when minors under 18 may gain access.

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 requires Illinois law enforcement to obtain a search warrant and confiscate firearms within 96 hours of receiving the warrant from protective order subjects.

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 (720 ILCS 5/24-9) requires firearms to be secured when minors, at-risk persons, or prohibited persons may access them.

Illinois's Safe Gun Storage Act imposes a three-tier civil penalty structure from $500 to $10,000 based on the severity of harm from improper storage.