You Should Know: Illinois Gun Policy: 

Some of the Strictest Gun Laws in the Country

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Gun and Ammunition Purchases

• 72 hour waiting period

• Background check and Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID) required

• FOID:

  • Issued by IL State Police

  • ISP enforces tracks and enforces revoked FOIDs

  • Renewed every 10 years

  • No prior felony convictions, orders of protection against them and recent history of serious mental health issues

  • 21 to purchase or possess firearm unless sponsored by eligible adult; in no case, under 18

• Dealers must provide a gun lock (not private sellers)

 

Concealed Carry Allowed

• Handguns only; nothing larger

• No reciprocity from other states

• Requires license

• FOID card

• Successful completion of 16 hours firearms training, including class and range instruction

 

Firearms Prohibited in Schools, Government Premises, Bars and most public places, regardless of license status

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Equipment Bans

• No sale, manufacture, purchase, possession or carry of any weapon from which more than one shot may be discharged by a single function of the trigger

• No silencers

• Bans on certain types of bullets

• Assault rifles – no statewide ban; banned in Cook County, Chicago and other select municipalities

• Ghost guns – untraceable, unregistered, no serial numbers

 

Red Flag Law

• Temporary removal of guns and prevention of purchase of new guns by individuals who pose a significant risk of harm to themselves or others

 

New Legislation Signed 2022

• Safe Gun Storage Awareness Campaign

• Safe Gun Storage now allowed to be taught in schools

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