State Laws · IL
Illinois Gun Laws
Effective as of January 1, 2024 (assault weapons ban under HB 5471; FOID system ongoing). Laws change — you should check for updates or consult with a licensed firearms trainer in your state before acting on this information.
Concealed Carry
Illinois requires a Concealed Carry License (CCL) issued by the Illinois State Police. Applicants must hold a valid Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card, complete 16 hours of training (including range qualification), submit fingerprints, and pass a background check. The CCL is valid for five years.
Key statute: 430 ILCS 66 — Firearm Concealed Carry Act. 430 ILCS 65 — Firearm Owners Identification Card Act.
Open Carry
Open carry is prohibited in Illinois. All lawful carry of firearms in public requires a CCL and must be concealed.
Who Cannot Carry
Prohibited persons include: convicted felons, persons adjudicated as mentally disabled, minors (under 21 for CCL), persons convicted of domestic battery or aggravated domestic battery, persons subject to active orders of protection, persons convicted of assault or battery within the past five years, persons who are patients in a mental health facility, persons addicted to narcotics, and persons who have been convicted of certain misdemeanors within the preceding five years.
Prohibited Locations
Illinois designates extensive prohibited locations under 430 ILCS 66/65: government buildings, courts, prisons and jails, schools and school property, childcare facilities, public parks and playgrounds, Cook County Forest Preserve, public transportation (CTA, Metra, Pace), airports, hospitals and mental health facilities, public libraries, amusement parks, zoos, museums, stadiums, racetracks, casinos, bars (over 50% alcohol revenue), nuclear facilities, and any private property with posted prohibition.
Purchase Requirements
Illinois requires a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card to purchase or possess any firearm or ammunition. All sales require a background check — private sellers must verify the buyer's FOID card through the Illinois State Police. There is a 72-hour waiting period for handguns and 24 hours for long guns. Illinois enacted an assault weapons ban in January 2023 (HB 5471, the Protect Illinois Communities Act) prohibiting the sale of certain semi-automatic weapons and magazines over 10 rounds (handguns) or 15 rounds (long guns). Previously owned items may be kept but must be registered.
Citations
430 ILCS 65 (FOID Act); 430 ILCS 66 (Concealed Carry Act); 720 ILCS 5/24 (deadly weapons); HB 5471 (Protect Illinois Communities Act, 2023).
Look up statutes at Illinois General Assembly →Legal disclaimer
This summary is for informational purposes only. Firearms laws change frequently. Always verify current statutes and consult a qualified attorney before making legal decisions.
Sources & official resources
Federal firearms laws
ATF.gov — Laws: Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives →Illinois statutes
Illinois General Assembly →This link goes to Illinois's legislative website. To find specific firearms statutes, search for terms like "concealed carry," "firearms," or "weapons permit" in the site's search function.