Legally Transporting Firearms in Illinois FAQ's

The following guidelines are provided directly from the Illinois State Police here on their website from a PDF published July 6th, 2017. We've just reformatted it for you into a more readable format here. 

Unless specifically exempted by statute, any Illinois resident who acquires or possesses firearms, firearm ammunition, a stun gun or a taser within the state of Illinois must have in their possession a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card or Illinois Concealed Carry License (ILCCL) issued in their name.

Answers provided to the following questions are meant only to give general guidance regarding transporting firearms and ammunition. The answers do not and are not meant to replace statutory language cited in 430 ILCS 65/ and 430 ILCS 66/.

AS AN ILLINOIS RESIDENT, WHAT DOES A VALID FOID CARD ALLOW ME TO POSSESS?

Illinois residents need a FOID card for firearms, ammunition, a stun gun or a taser, muzzleloaders and a BB/pellet gun which expels a single globular projectile exceeding .18 inches in diameter AND which has a maximum muzzle velocity of 700 feet per second or faster.

HOW CAN I LEGALLY TRANSPORT A FIREARM IN A VEHICLE?

Four statutory sections regulate the possession, transfer and transportation of firearms; the Criminal Code, the Wildlife Code, the Firearm Owner’s Identification Act and the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.
When transporting a firearm, it must be:

1. Broken down in a non-functioning state; or
2. Not immediately accessible; or
3. Unloaded and enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container by a person who has a valid FOID card; or
4. Carried or possessed in accordance with the Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66/) by a person who has a valid Illinois Concealed Carry License.

WHAT CONSTITUTES A LEGAL CASE FOR TRANSPORTING A FIREARM?

The Criminal Code refers to a case as a firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container. A case completely encloses the firearm.

HOW CAN I LEGALLY TRANSPORT OR POSSESS FIREARM AMMUNITION?

Illinois law requires residents possessing ammunition to have in their possession a valid FOID card or Illinois Concealed Carry License issued in their name. The location of the ammunition being transported, including
ammunition being transported in loaded magazines, is not regulated if the firearm is lawfully possessed and transported. When transporting, do NOT store a loaded magazine in the firearm’s magazine well or ammunition in a revolver’s cylinder.

IS IT LEGAL TO HAVE AMMUNITION IN THE CASE WITH THE FIREARM?

Yes, if the firearm is unloaded and properly cased.

I AM A NEW RESIDENT OF ILLINOIS. HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO OBTAIN A FOID CARD?

You have 60 calendar days after you obtain your Illinois Driver’s License or Illinois Identification Card, to apply for a FOID card in order to comply with Illinois law.

IF I HAVE A NAME OR ADDRESS CHANGE, HOW LONG DO I HAVE BEFORE I MUST NOTIFY THE ILLINOIS STATE POLICE?

When you move from the residence named on your FOID card you have 21 calendar days. Any person whose legal name has changed from the name on the FOID card will need to submit an application for a corrected card within 30 calendar days. Both changes may be completed online
at the Department’s website at www.ispfsb.com or by calling (217)782-7980. Please note, the updated information provided must match the information on your Illinois Driver’s License or Illinois Identification Card. The cost for a corrected FOID card is $5.

I HAVE A CONCEALED CARRY LICENSE ISSUED BY ANOTHER STATE, IS MY LICENSE RECOGNIZED IN ILLINOIS?

No. Illinois does not recognize concealed carry licenses from other states. However, a resident from another state who has a valid concealed carry license from their home state may carry a concealed firearm within a vehicle while traveling through Illinois. If the non-resident leaves his or her vehicle unattended, the firearm shall be stored within a locked vehicle or locked container within the vehicle. 

HOW DO I TRANSPORT A FIREARM THROUGH AN ILLINOIS COMMUNITY WITH AN ORDINANCE THAT PROHIBITS FIREARMS OR HANDGUNS?

Illinois’ Unlawful Use of Weapons Act does not preempt local ordinances from banning firearms. Persons carrying or transporting firearms through such communities could be subject to local firearm ordinances. Per Illinois statute 430 ILCS 65/13.3, every municipality must submit to the Illinois State Police a copy of every ordinance adopted that regulates the acquisition, possession, sale or transfer of firearms. The Illinois State Police publishes a copy of the ordinances submitted on its Department web site at www.ispfsb.com. It is recommended you contact the local municipality regarding their firearm ordinances to ensure you are in compliance.

IF A NON-RESIDENT IS VISITING ILLINOIS, HUNTING, OR TRAVELING WITH A FIREARM, HOW DO THEY LEGALLY TRANSPORT IT?

Non-residents are not required to have an Illinois FOID card but must be legally eligible to possess or acquire firearms and ammunition as determined by their home state. In order to comply with Illinois statutes while transporting a firearm, it must be:

1. Broken down in a non-functioning state; or
2. Not immediately accessible; or
3. Unloaded and enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container.
4. A non-resident who has a valid Concealed Carry License from their home state may carry a concealed firearm within a vehicle traveling through Illinois. If the non-resident leaves the vehicle unattended, the firearm must be stored concealed in a case inside the locked vehicle or locked container within the vehicle out of plain view. For the purpose of subsection
   430 ILCS 66/65(b), a “case” includes a glove compartment or console that completely encloses the concealed firearm or ammunition, the trunk of the vehicle, or a firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container.

WHAT IS REQUIRED OF AN ILLINOIS RESIDENT OR A NON-RESIDENT WHO IS PROPERLY LICENSED AND CARRYING A CONCEALED FIREARM WHEN CONTACT IS MADE WITH A LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICER?

Upon the request of the officer, the licensee or nonresident will disclose to the officer that he or she is in possession of a concealed firearm or present the license upon the request of the officer per the Concealed Carry Act. The licensee or the non-resident will also identify the location of the concealed firearm and permit the officer to safely secure the firearm for the duration of the investigative stop. During a traffic stop, all resident and non-resident passengers are required to act in the same manner.