The Protect Illinois Communities Act created a registration framework for assault weapons and large-capacity magazines that were lawfully possessed before the ban took effect on January 10, 2023. This framework -- known as the endorsement affidavit process -- is administered by the Illinois State Police Firearms Services Bureau and serves as the mechanism by which owners of pre-ban items retain legal possession under PICA's grandfathering provisions.[1]
What the Endorsement Affidavit Requires
To retain lawful possession of a pre-ban assault weapon or large-capacity magazine, the owner must submit an endorsement affidavit to the ISP. The affidavit must include:[1]
- The owner's FOID card number
- The make, model, and serial number of each assault weapon
- A sworn statement that the items were possessed before January 10, 2023
The endorsement is linked to the owner's FOID card. If the FOID card is revoked or suspended, the endorsement is automatically invalidated, and the owner must dispose of the registered items through the same channels available for any FOID revocation -- transfer to a qualified person, surrender to law enforcement, or storage with a licensed dealer.
Submission Deadline
The statutory deadline for endorsement affidavit submission was January 1, 2024, as established under 430 ILCS 65/14(d).[2] Owners who failed to submit by this date face potential legal consequences for possessing unregistered assault weapons. However, the ISP's online portal continued to accept submissions after the deadline, and the interplay between the statutory deadline and ongoing litigation has created uncertainty about enforcement against late filers.
Post-Deadline Enforcement and Late Filings
More than two years after the original deadline, the ISP's enforcement posture on late endorsement affidavit submissions has taken a practical approach. According to the ISP, the FOID Portal "will remain open for individuals to complete an affidavit indefinitely."[1] This means that individuals who missed the January 1, 2024 deadline may still submit an endorsement affidavit through the ISP Firearms Services Bureau portal at ispfsb.com.
However, the ISP has stated that "there are not separate fines or penalties for late submissions," but has added an important caveat: "the relevant jurisdiction could deem a late endorsement affidavit submittal to be invalid or insufficient."[1] This means that while the ISP will process late filings, a local State's Attorney's office could take the position that a late-filed affidavit does not satisfy the statutory requirement and pursue charges for possession of an unregistered assault weapon during the period between the deadline and the filing date.
The ISP has stated it will partner with local law enforcement through the Violent Crime Intelligence Task Force to enforce PICA, and that persons who violate PICA requirements "may be arrested and charged."[1] To date, no publicly reported enforcement actions have specifically targeted late endorsement affidavit filers. Individuals who have not yet filed are strongly encouraged to do so immediately, as the ISP portal remains accessible and late filing provides at least a good-faith compliance argument.
Compliance Rates
Public data indicates that approximately 29,400 FOID card holders submitted endorsement affidavits before the January 1, 2024 statutory deadline.[3] For context, there are approximately 2.5 million active FOID card holders in Illinois, though the number who actually possess items covered by PICA is unknown. The low absolute number of filings has been cited by both proponents and opponents of the law. Proponents argue it demonstrates the need for stronger enforcement, while opponents argue it demonstrates widespread noncompliance and the impracticality of the registration requirement.
How to Submit
The endorsement affidavit is submitted electronically through the ISP Firearms Services Bureau portal. The ISP created a dedicated section on its website for assault weapons registration at isp.illinois.gov/Home/AssaultWeapons. The process requires the owner to log in with their FOID credentials and enter the required information for each item. There is no fee for submitting the endorsement affidavit. The ISP also maintains physical kiosks in three regions for in-person assistance.[1]
Effect of the Endorsement
A completed endorsement affidavit allows the owner to continue possessing the registered assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, subject to the possession restrictions established by PICA. The endorsement does not allow the owner to sell, transfer, or deliver the registered items to any person within Illinois, with the sole exception of transfers to an heir upon the owner's death, provided the heir submits their own endorsement affidavit. Registered items may be transferred out of state to a person who is legally permitted to receive them under the laws of the destination state.[4]
Impact of Ongoing Litigation
The endorsement affidavit requirement exists within the context of active federal litigation challenging PICA's constitutionality. In Barnett v. Raoul, a federal district court issued a permanent injunction against the assault weapons and magazine bans on November 8, 2024, but the Seventh Circuit stayed that injunction on December 5, 2024. Oral argument at the Seventh Circuit was held in September 2025, and a decision remains pending as of March 2026. If the Seventh Circuit ultimately upholds the district court's injunction and PICA is struck down, the endorsement requirement would become moot. Until then, the endorsement affidavit process remains a legal obligation for owners of pre-ban items.[5]
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Possession of an assault weapon without a valid endorsement affidavit is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 3 felony for subsequent offenses. The ISP has the ability to cross-reference FOID card records with endorsement filings to identify potential non-compliance, though the practical enforcement mechanisms remain a subject of ongoing policy debate.[6]
See also: How to Register a Pre-Owned Assault Weapon (Endorsement Affidavit)
See also: Possession Restrictions for Grandfathered Assault Weapons
See also: PICA Compliance: What Firearms Are Still Legal in Illinois