Gun laws in Illinois
Gun laws in Illinois regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Illinois in the United States.
To legally possess firearms or ammunition, Illinois residents must have a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card, which is issued by the Illinois State Police on a shall-issue basis. Non-residents who may legally possess firearms in their home state are exempt from this requirement.
The state police issue licenses for the concealed carry of handguns to qualified applicants age 21 or older who pass a 16-hour training course. However, any law enforcement agency can object to an individual being granted a license "based upon a reasonable suspicion that the applicant is a danger to himself or herself or others, or a threat to public safety". Objections are considered by a Concealed Carry Licensing Review Board, which decides whether or not the license will be issued, based on "a preponderance of the evidence". Licenses issued by other states are not recognized, except for carry in a vehicle. Open carry is prohibited in most areas. When a firearm is being transported by a person without a concealed carry license, it must be unloaded and enclosed in a case, or broken down in a non-functioning state, or not immediately accessible.
Private sales of firearms must be done through a gun dealer with a Federal Firearms License (FFL). Lost or stolen guns must be reported to the police. There is a waiting period of 72 hours to take possession after purchasing a firearm. Possession of automatic firearms, short-barreled shotguns, or suppressors is prohibited. Possession of short-barreled rifles is permitted only for those who have an ATF Curios and Relics license or are a member of a military reenactment group.
As of January 10, 2023, the state bans the sale of firearms that have been defined as assault weapons, but allows the possession of any that were registered with the state police by January 1, 2024. The sale of rifle magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds or handgun magazines that can hold more than 15 rounds is prohibited. These restrictions are being challenged in various state and federal courts.
Illinois has state preemption for certain areas of gun law, which overrides the home rule guideline in those cases. Some local governments have enacted ordinances that are more restrictive than those of the state in areas not covered by state preemption.