Illinois Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

Everything you need to know about owning a firearm in the state of Illinois

Illinois Reciprocity Map

Last Updated on March 12, 2024

Illinois Concealed Carry Reciprocity Overview

12.7M

STATE POPULATION

435K

LICENSES ISSUED

3.4%

LICENSE PERCENTAGE

STATES HONORED

MINIMUM AGE TO CC

YEARS LICENSE VALID

RECIPROCATING STATES

CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY

CC CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS

All responsible gun owners need to educate themselves on their firearm rights and the laws in their state. It’s equally important to understand how gun laws apply when transporting a firearm across state lines.

There are 12.7 million people living in Illinois, with 435,000 residents, or or around 3.4%, holding concealed carry weapon (CCW) permits. The minimum age to apply for an Illinois CCW permit is 21, and the license is valid for five years once acquired.

Those interested in receiving an Illinois concealed carry permit should begin by finding a trusted education partner. Concealed Coalition has trained over one million Americans to safely carry their weapons, and we can do the same for you. Contact us for more information on the local and online concealed carry training options we have available.

Summary of Illinois Gun Laws

Your Illinois Gun Rights

Every gun owner in Illinois must have a Firearm Owners Identification card (FOID). Illinois is a shall-issue state, so the Illinois State Police are required to issue this card to anyone who meets the qualifications. A separate license is required for a concealed carry permit. You’ll have to pass a background check for either license.

The United States has a few federal gun laws that apply throughout the country, but most regulations vary by state. Illinois has a unique take on concealed carry permits that you’ll want to learn before applying for a license.

Although Illinois concealed carry reciprocity exists with 29 other states, Illinois does not honor concealed carry permits from other parts of the country. The state offers nonresident permits to visitors from Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, Virginia, Texas, and Nevada, though. Here’s a look at some of Illinois’ other gun laws:

Open Carry in Illinois

Open carry is illegal in Illinois. Even individuals with a valid FOID are not permitted to carry a firearm in their vehicle or on their person in an open manner, but they can transport an unloaded weapon if it stays inside a case.

Concealed Carry in Illinois

Illinois residents with a valid CCW permit can carry firearms in public or vehicles if they keep the weapon covered. Receiving this license requires completion of a mandatory 16-hour training course through a state-approved instructor.

Self Defense Laws in Illinois

Getting your concealed carry permit in Illinois provides you with a powerful method of protecting yourself. It’s vital that you learn your rights and responsibilities, though, so you don’t get in trouble with the law.

Use of Force

Illinois has laws modeled after the Castle Doctrine approach, which means you have no legal duty to retreat if you feel threatened by someone else intending to use unlawful force or someone unlawfully entering or attacking a dwelling. You are lawfully permitted to use force to the extent you feel is necessary when facing a threat.

Use of Deadly Force

Illinois gun owners are permitted to use deadly force to prevent death or serious bodily harm to themselves or others. Use of deadly force is also allowed in defense of a dwelling when someone makes an entry violently and when the user of force believes it necessary to prevent a felony on the property.

Firearms training can teach you when you’re justified in using force in a specific situation. Concealed Coalition provides the education and skills necessary for you to become a responsible gun owner. You can take classes both online and locally.

Illinois Gun Laws by Statute

Concealed Coalition is dedicated to dispelling the myths surrounding gun ownership and promoting a culture of understanding, responsibility, and confidence. Our certified instructors are qualified across multiple states, and our online or local training classes provide convenient learning environments run by instructors who care.

Contact us today at (312) 481-7346 or email to discuss your Illinois concealed carry permit educational needs. In the meantime, check out this page and our above IL CCW reciprocity map for additional information about Illinois concealed carry laws.

Quick Links

CONCEALED CARRY BASICS IN ILLINOIS

QUESTION

ANSWER

Does Illinois recognize constitutional carry?

No.

Is open carry permitted in Illinois?

No.

If Illinois requires a license to carry a concealed firearm, how are those licenses issued?

The Illinois State Police.

What is the minimum age in Illinois to get a concealed carry license?

21 years old.

Can you concealed carry weapons other than handguns in Illinois with a concealed carry license (or under permit-less carry if applicable)?

No.

Is it legal to own a taser or stun gun in Illinois?

Yes, with a FOID.

Is it legal to buy or use chemical spray/pepper spray in Illinois?

Yes.

Does Illinois have magazine capacity restrictions for handguns?

No.

Does Illinois have ammunition restrictions?

Yes, armor-piercing ammunition is forbidden.

CONCEALED CARRY LOCATIONS IN ILLINOIS

QUESTION

ANSWER

Where can't I carry a concealed firearm in Illinois?

Having a concealed carry permit doesn’t allow you to take your gun everywhere in Illinois. Concealed firearms are banned statewide in the following locations:

Schools
Stadiums
Government buildings
Medical facilities
Detention centers
Public transportation
Most bars
Public libraries
Gaming facilities
Parks
Zoos
Museums
Airports
Courts
Public gatherings
Sites regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Private property with signage
Places with federal prohibitions

These locations are subject to change, like any laws. Be sure to check with any place you’re unsure about before arriving with your weapon.

Where can I carry a concealed firearm in Illinois?

Illinois concealed carry states that you are able to carry in most locations where it isn’t listed above as prohibited.

Can you carry a concealed handgun in a vehicle in Illinois?

Yes.

Can you carry a concealed firearm at roadside rest areas in Illinois?

No.

Can you carry a concealed firearm in state/national parks, state/national forest and Wildlife Management Areas in Illinois?

Yes, with a CCW permit, but not in any buildings.

Can you carry a concealed firearm in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol in Illinois?

Yes, but only in bars where less than 50% of sales are from alcohol.

Can you carry or possess a firearm on hotel property in Illinois?

Yes, unless the hotel has signs saying they don’t allow it.

Does Illinois have laws relating to storing firearms in private vehicles in an employee parking lot?

Yes, it is permitted.

IMPORTANT GUNS LAWS IN ILLINOIS

QUESTION

ANSWER

Do you have a duty to notify a police officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Illinois?

Only if the officer asks, but it’s considered good CC etiquette to volunteer the information.

Are "No Weapons Allowed" signs enforced in Illinois? If, yes, violating the sign would be considered to be a crime. If, no, violating the sign would not be considered a criminal offense.

Yes. Illinois concealed carry states that any violation is considered a misdemeanor and could be accompanied by a fine or license suspension.

Does Illinois have preemption laws related to concealed carry (i.e., Does state law supersede local laws regarding the possession of handguns)?

Municipalities can regulate anyone without a valid FOID card or concealed carry permit, as well as long guns and matters relating to the sale and storage of firearms.

Does Illinois have a red flag law?

Yes.

Does Illinois state law define brandishing?

No.

Does Illinois have laws regarding carrying a concealed firearm while using alcohol or chemical substances?

Yes, you aren’t permitted to carry your firearm while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Does Illinois issue concealed carry licenses to non-residents?

Yes, but only to residents of Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, Texas, and Virginia.

Does Illinois allow the public to access concealed carry registry information through public records law?

No, the registry is not accessible.

HANDGUN PURCHASE & POSSESSION IN ILLINOIS

QUESTION

ANSWER

Is a permit required to purchase a handgun in Illinois?

Yes, a FOID is necessary to purchase a firearm in the state.

Are background checks required for private gun sales in Illinois?

No, but the seller must verify the buyer’s FOID card by contacting the State Police and keep a record of the sale for 10 years.

Does my current Illinois concealed carry license exempt me from needing a background check when I purchase firearm?

No.

Is there a waiting period after purchasing a handgun in Illinois?

Yes, 72 hours.

Do handguns need to be registered in Illinois?

No.

What is the minimum age to possess and transport a handgun in Illinois?

18 years old.

Can I possess/carry a handgun in my home in Illinois without a license?

Yes.

Acquiring a Concealed Carry License in Illinois

Quick Links

ILLINOIS CONCEALED CARRY LICENSE INFORMATION

Concealed Carry Requirements to Register for a License in Illinois

An Applicants must:

Be an Illinois resident or employed in Illinois as a security guard, law enforcement officer or by the US military
Complete a paper application by calling (217)782-7980 or apply online
Be at least 21 years old or 18 with written consent of a parent or legal guardian
Not have been convicted of any Felony under the laws of this or any other jurisdiction
Not have been adjudicated as a mental defective
Not have been a patient in a mental institution or any part of a medical facility for the treatment of mental illness within the past 5 years
Not be intellectually disabled or developmentally disabled
Not have used or been addicted to any controlled substance or narcotics in violation of state or federal law within the past year
Not be the subject of an existing Order of Protection or a No Contact/No Stalking Order
Not have been convicted of battery, assault, aggravated assault, violation of an order of protection, or a substantially similar offense in which a firearm was used or possessed within the past 5 years
Not have been convicted of domestic battery (felony or misdemeanor), aggravated domestic battery or a substantially similar offense
Not have been adjudicated by a court as a mental defective or ordered by a court, board or authorized entity to in-patient or out-patient mental health treatment
Not be an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States
Not have failed a drug test for a drug for which you did not have a prescription within the past year
Not have been admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant visa of the Immigration and Nationality Act
Never have renounced my citizenship as a citizen of the United States
Not have been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions
Not be a fugitive from justice
Not be prohibited from acquiring or possessing firearms or firearm ammunition by any Illinois State statute or by federal law.

Based on the passage of HB 562 (2021), the following process will be implemented as of January 1, 2022. The Illinois State Police will create a combined FOID and CCL, offering cardholders the ability to apply for renewal 6 months before the expiration date, and and will update FOID and CCL renewal dates to be the same for one cardholder.

Beginning January 1, 2022, if the FOID expires during the term of the licensee’s CCL, the FOID and the license remain valid during the validity of the CCL and the licensee does not have to renew his or her FOID, if the FOID has not been otherwise renewed as provided in this Act. Unless the Illinois State Police has reason to believe the licensee is no longer eligible for the card, the Illinois State Police may automatically renew the licensee’s FOID.

Fees:

Initial License $150/$300 for non-residents

Renewals $150/$300 for non-residents

Valid For:

5 years.

Processing Time:

90 – 120 days.

Applications:

Download and complete the application.

Non-Resident Concealed Carry License:

Illinois grants non-resident licenses only to residents of states or territories of the United States that have laws related to firearm ownership, possession and carrying that are substantially similar to the requirements to Illinois. Currently, the only states considered to be substantially similar are Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, Texas and Virginia. The application is the same as for residents.

Name & Address Changes:

Notify the Department within 30 days of moving or changing residence or any change of name and submit the appropriate fee. The Department may require a notarized statement that you have changed your residence or name, including the prior and current address or name and the date you moved or changed your name.

Lost or Stolen Licenses:

You must report your IL CCL lost or stolen within 10 days of discovering it has been lost or stolen. You will need to provide a notarized statement and, if applicable, a copy of the police report stating that it was stolen. There is a replacement fee.

Residency Changes:

Moving to Illinois and interested in applying for a resident license? How soon can you apply?
Illinois issues licenses to residents and select non-residents as noted above. Residents are required to obtain a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card in order to apply for a license. Non-residents are not required to have a FOID provided they have a valid concealed carry permit issued in their home state. Any new resident who is not otherwise prohibited from possessing or using a firearm, is not required to have a FOID card to possess firearms or firearms ammunition, until 60 calendar days after he or she obtains an Illinois driver’s license or Illinois ID Card.

Moving from Illinois and have a Illinois resident license? Does that license transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Illinois license remains valid?
Simply mail your FOID and CCL back to the Firearms Services Bureau at 801 S. 7th Street, Suite 400M, Springfield Illinois 62703. Include a note that you have moved out of state and are surrendering your FOID/CCL. If you are moving to a substantially similar state and wish to have an Illinois CCL, you will have to re-apply as a non-resident.

ILLINOIS CONCEALED CARRY LICENSE APPLICATION PROCESS

Step One:

Apply for a FOID. Complete the online application for a FOID. Go to the Illinois State Police website and get a user ID and password. You will need the following:

A Valid Driver’s License or State Identification card.
A head and shoulder electronic photograph taken within the last 30 days.
$10.00 payable with a credit card or electronic check.

You will be notified by email if your FOID application has been approved.

Based on the passage of HB 562 (2021), the following process will be implemented as of January 1, 2022. The Illinois State Police will create a combined FOID and CCL, offering cardholders the ability to apply for renewal 6 months before the expiration date, and will update FOID and CCL renewal dates to be the same for one cardholder.

Based on the passage of HB 562 (2021), the following process will be implemented as of January 1, 2022. FOID card applicants will not be required to submit fingerprints, but if they do, or they share with the Illinois State Police the fingerprints they filed to receive their concealed carry license, they will be eligible for automatic renewal without a renewal fee, provided they purchased a gun sometime within the 10-year period between renewals and passed the ISP background check in the process.

Step Two:

Complete your firearms training course provided by an ISP-approved instructor.

Step Three:

Once you have applied for and/or received your FOID card, complete the online application for a CCL. The following documents are required:

A valid Illinois driver’s license or state ID
An Illinois State Police user ID and password
An electronic copy of your training certificate(s)
A valid FOID or a FOID in process
An electronic head and shoulders photo taken within the previous 30 days
Provide the last 10 years of residency
For non-residents
- An electronic copy of a valid concealed carry license from the applicant’s home state
- A notarized affidavit documenting the applicant’s eligibility under both state and federal laws, understanding of the laws pertaining to possession and transport of firearms, acknowledgment the applicant is subject to the jurisdiction of the Illinois State Police and the Illinois courts and that the applicant meets the mental health standards in Illinois to obtain a firearm
Optional — An applicant is not required to submit fingerprints with the application; however, the department has an additional 30 days to review an application that does not include fingerprints. If opting to provide fingerprints, go to a fingerprint vendor and have your prints taken.

Applicants will be assigned a transaction control number (TCN) at the time of fingerprinting and will be required to retain that TCN to complete the application. Specify to the Live Scan vendor that your fingerprint application is for the concealed carry application.

Make your payment.

Step Four:

Allow 90 days for processing, or 120 days if electronic fingerprints are not provided. *Please note that the Illinois State Police are not meeting the statutory timelines for issuing FOID cards or CCLs. The backlog of applications vary, however, applicants for FOIDs and CCLs can view the average processing time for FOIDs and CCLs here.

Step Five:

You will be notified if your CCL application has been approved.

ILLINOIS CONCEALED CARRY LICENSE RENEWAL PROCESS

Overview:

Staying on top of the renewal process in Illinois is recommended because it can take some time to receive your approval. Concealed Coalition offers the interactive training you need to ensure your license remains active.

Renewing your concealed carry license in Illinois is a relatively straightforward process that you can begin within 90 days of its expiration date. You won’t want to let the permit expire, or you’ll have to retake the entire 16-hour training course. Here’s what you’ll have to do:

Step One:

A mandatory three-hour training course is necessary to renew your concealed carry license in Illinois. This course must go through an ISP-approved instructor.

Step Two:

You’ll have to go through the process of applying to renew your license. The good news is that you can do so by logging into the State Police’s firearms website and submitting your application online.

Step Three:

A payment is necessary to receive your concealed carry permit. Both the original fee and the renewal are $150.

Step Four:

Processing and approval time can take as long as 120 days. Renewals are often streamlined, but you’ll want to get your forms in as early as possible to prevent your permit from expiring before your new one arrives.

Concealed Carry for Law Enforcement Officers and Retired LEOs

Active and retired law enforcement officers can carry a concealed weapon because of the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA). There are parameters, though, and these officers must still follow the rules put forth on private property and specific government-owned properties. Here’s a look at the Illinois concealed carry requirements for active and retired law enforcement officers:

It’s assumed that active law enforcement officers have the necessary training in the state, making them eligible to concealed carry under LEOSA.
Retired officers must qualify for concealed carry through a specialized training program.
The training program takes place annually and is overseen by The Retired Officer Concealed Carry (IROCC).

Active and retired officers will have to carry identification proving they’re eligible to carry a concealed weapon. Retired individuals will have to pass a qualification test and renew their card every 12 months.

Firearms Training & Competency

Concealed Coalition has the state-approved trainers necessary for you to receive the certification required to obtain your CCW permit in Illinois. This education is available all over the country and online, so contact us today to begin the process.

Taking the necessary firearm training is essential if you want to carry a gun in Illinois. You’ll need to pass a state-approved 16-hour course covering subjects like firearms safety, principles of marksmanship, and caring for a firearm to receive a concealed carry permit. You’ll also have to pass a live-fire exercise. Training options include:

NRA Training

The National Rifle Association offers training classes all over the country. You’ll find a training locator on the NRA’s website that you can use to narrow your search.

Illinois Hunter Education

Any Illinois resident born on or after January 1, 1980, must take the Illinois Hunter Education course to receive a hunting license. These classes include 10 hours of in-class instruction over either two or four days.

Other Firearms Safety Courses

Private and public institutions in Illinois sometimes offer gun education programs. These schools may or may not satisfy the state’s certification requirements for a concealed carry permit. Check with the Illinois Firearms Services Bureau to make sure the state will accept any course you’re uncertain about.

A Firearms Training Course With a State-Certified Instructor

It’s best to check that any gun education class you’re taking features an approved ISP instructor. Concealed Coalition has a team of state-approved instructors who will ensure you meet the requirements for a CCW permit in Illinois.

DD Form 214 or Military Orders for Active or Former Military Members

DD 214 is a document given to service members who have been discharged from the U.S. armed forces or have completed at least 90 consecutive days of active-duty training. Illinois allows those with a DD 214 document to take eight hours of firearm training rather than 16 to receive a CCW permit.

Other Acceptable Qualifications

Anyone who has completed firearm training in another state receives eight hours of credit toward their permit in Illinois.

Get Certified for a Illinois Concealed Carry Permit Today

Concealed Coalition is here to ensure that gun owners in this country are appropriately trained and understand how to use a gun safely and with confidence. We offer various online and local classes taught by state-approved instructors and include the live-fire training required in Illinois.

Did we miss something?

If you have any questions that you don’t see answered here — let us know! Just email [email protected] and we will be sure to get your question resolved promptly. Your feedback matters to us, and we greatly appreciate you helping us make this page the best possible resource for responsible gun owners! The information contained on this website is provided by Concealed Coalition as a service to its members and the public. The information on this page does not constitute legal advice. Our goal is to provide thorough, up-to-date information regarding concealed carry laws, reciprocity, and requirements. We make no claims, representations, warranties, promises or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information disclosed. At the time of publishing the information contained in this page was correct and up-to-date. However, laws are constantly changing, and as a result, nothing contained on this website should be considered legal advice. Please consult a lawyer should you require legal advice regarding concealed carry and gun laws in your state. Did you know our membership includes a pre-paid legal protection plan? Sign up today and gain access to 24/7 coverage from a team of legal experts.

*Legal protection plans available in select states.

Illinois Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

Everything you need to know about owning a firearm in the state of Illinois

Illinois Reciprocity Map

Illinois Concealed Carry Reciprocity Overview

Summary of Illinois Gun Laws

Your Illinois Gun Rights

Open Carry in Illinois

Concealed Carry in Illinois

Self Defense Laws in Illinois

Use of Force

Use of Deadly Force

Illinois Gun Laws by Statute

CONCEALED CARRY BASICS IN ILLINOIS

Does Illinois recognize constitutional carry?

Is open carry permitted in Illinois?

If Illinois requires a license to carry a concealed firearm, how are those licenses issued?

What is the minimum age in Illinois to get a concealed carry license?

Can you concealed carry weapons other than handguns in Illinois with a concealed carry license (or under permit-less carry if applicable)?

Is it legal to own a taser or stun gun in Illinois?

Is it legal to buy or use chemical spray/pepper spray in Illinois?

Does Illinois have magazine capacity restrictions for handguns?

Does Illinois have ammunition restrictions?

CONCEALED CARRY LOCATIONS IN ILLINOIS

Where can't I carry a concealed firearm in Illinois?

Where can I carry a concealed firearm in Illinois?

Can you carry a concealed handgun in a vehicle in Illinois?

Can you carry a concealed firearm at roadside rest areas in Illinois?

Can you carry a concealed firearm in state/national parks, state/national forest and Wildlife Management Areas in Illinois?

Can you carry a concealed firearm in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol in Illinois?

Can you carry or possess a firearm on hotel property in Illinois?

Does Illinois have laws relating to storing firearms in private vehicles in an employee parking lot?

IMPORTANT GUNS LAWS IN ILLINOIS

Do you have a duty to notify a police officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Illinois?

Are "No Weapons Allowed" signs enforced in Illinois? If, yes, violating the sign would be considered to be a crime. If, no, violating the sign would not be considered a criminal offense.

Does Illinois have preemption laws related to concealed carry (i.e., Does state law supersede local laws regarding the possession of handguns)?

Does Illinois have a red flag law?

Does Illinois state law define brandishing?

Does Illinois have laws regarding carrying a concealed firearm while using alcohol or chemical substances?

Does Illinois issue concealed carry licenses to non-residents?

Does Illinois allow the public to access concealed carry registry information through public records law?

HANDGUN PURCHASE & POSSESSION IN ILLINOIS

Is a permit required to purchase a handgun in Illinois?

Are background checks required for private gun sales in Illinois?

Does my current Illinois concealed carry license exempt me from needing a background check when I purchase firearm?

Is there a waiting period after purchasing a handgun in Illinois?

Do handguns need to be registered in Illinois?

What is the minimum age to possess and transport a handgun in Illinois?

Can I possess/carry a handgun in my home in Illinois without a license?

Acquiring a Concealed Carry License in Illinois

ILLINOIS CONCEALED CARRY LICENSE INFORMATION

Concealed Carry Requirements to Register for a License in Illinois

ILLINOIS CONCEALED CARRY LICENSE APPLICATION PROCESS

ILLINOIS CONCEALED CARRY LICENSE RENEWAL PROCESS

Concealed Carry for Law Enforcement Officers and Retired LEOs

Firearms Training & Competency

NRA Training

Illinois Hunter Education

Other Firearms Safety Courses

A Firearms Training Course With a State-Certified Instructor

DD Form 214 or Military Orders for Active or Former Military Members

Other Acceptable Qualifications

Get Certified for a Illinois Concealed Carry Permit Today

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