State · IL
Illinois gun laws
Here's a plain-language look at Illinois' own firearm laws, topic by topic. Federal law applies here too, so it's worth reading the federal page alongside this one. City and county rules aren't covered, and some places have stricter ones.
At a glance: Permit needed to carry concealed · magazine limit (10 rounds for long guns / 15 rounds for handguns) · “assault weapon” ban
Recently changed or in flux
- In courtPICA was upheld by the 7th Circuit (July 2026), but the U.S. Supreme Court's Cook County case (Viramontes) could change the outcome.
Permit to purchase#
- Handguns
- Yes. Buyers need a Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) card.
- Long guns
- Yes. Buyers need a FOID card.
Registration#
- Partial. Owners of grandfathered 'assault weapons' had to file endorsement affidavits with the Illinois State Police (ISP) by Jan. 1, 2024.
Carrying a handgun#
- Permitless carry
- No.
- Concealed carry permit
- Shall-issue (officials must issue a license to anyone who qualifies): the Illinois State Police CCL, for ages 21 and older.
- Open carry
- Prohibited.
- Reciprocity
- Doesn't honor other states' permits, though nonresidents with a home-state permit may carry in a vehicle in limited cases. Nonresident CCLs are available only to residents of a few states.
“Assault weapon” rules#
- Yes. The Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA, 2023) was upheld by the 7th Circuit (Barnett v. Raoul, July 9, 2026). The related Cook County ordinance is before the U.S. Supreme Court (Viramontes v. Cook County, No. 25-238; review granted June 30, 2026; oral argument scheduled for Dec. 2, 2026, not yet heard).
Magazine limits#
- 10 rounds for long guns / 15 rounds for handguns (PICA; magazines owned before the law may be kept).
Waiting period#
- 72 hours for all firearms.
Background checks and private sales#
- Yes. Private transfers must go through a dealer or include ISP FOID verification and record-keeping (2024 changes).
Red flag (ERPO) law#
- Yes. Illinois has Firearms Restraining Orders.
Suppressors, SBRs and SBSs#
- Suppressors
- Prohibited.
- Short-barreled rifles and shotguns
- Generally prohibited (720 ILCS 5/24-1(a)(7)). The only exceptions for private owners cover short-barreled rifles, not shotguns: holders of a federal Curios & Relics license, and active members of a recognized military re-enacting group whose rifle is at least 26 inches long overall (720 ILCS 5/24-2(c)(7)).
About the October 2026 federal NFA change
On October 9, 2026, ATF said it will stop enforcing the NFA's approval and registration requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and AOWs. Illinois' own restrictions on suppressors and short-barreled rifles and shotguns still apply. ATF's federal non-enforcement policy doesn't change state law.
Ammunition#
- Yes. A valid FOID card is required to buy ammunition.
Minimum ages#
- Handgun purchase
- 21 from dealers (federal rule); a FOID card for ages 18-20 requires parental consent.
- Long gun purchase
- 18 with a FOID card (parental consent is required under 21).
Shipping and buying online#
- Ammunition sellers generally ask for a copy of the buyer's FOID card (and/or CCL) before shipping. Magazines over 10 rounds (long guns) or 15 rounds (handguns), and rifles and parts listed under PICA, can't be sold to IL buyers. Chicago and Cook County have additional bans.
Buying a firearm online means it ships to a licensed dealer, who completes the transfer. Find one near you in the Dealer Finder. Retailers make the final call on what they'll ship, so always check their policy too.
Pending legislation and litigation#
Bills, ballot measures, rules and court cases that could change the rules in Illinois. We check this list every week; last scan . See everything we're tracking.
Open (1)
Viramontes v. Cook County and Grant v. Higgins
Nos. 25-238 and 25-566 · U.S. Supreme Court
Status:
These two cases ask the Supreme Court whether the Second Amendment protects AR-15-platform and similar semiautomatic rifles. One comes from Cook County, Illinois, and the other from Connecticut's 'assault weapon' ban. The Court agreed to hear them together.
What it would change: A ruling could decide whether state and local 'assault weapon' bans can stand, which would affect the entries for many states. A decision is expected by mid-2027.
Next key date: Oral argument,
Status history (4)
- :
- :
- :
- :
Sources:U.S. Supreme Court docket 25-238 ↗U.S. Supreme Court docket 25-566 ↗
Added · Last checked
Recently resolved (1)
Barnett v. Raoul (Protect Illinois Communities Act)
No. 24-3060 · U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit
Status:
The 7th Circuit upheld Illinois's 'assault weapon' and magazine law, known as PICA. The Supreme Court's Cook County case (Viramontes), scheduled for argument Dec. 2, 2026, could still change the outcome.
What it changed: PICA remains in effect for now.
Outcome: PICA upheld July 9, 2026.
Status history (1)
- :
Sources:7th Cir. opinion, Barnett v. Raoul (July 9, 2026) ↗
Added · Last checked
Sources and official links#
- Illinois State Police · Officialhttps://isp.illinois.gov/
- ISP Firearms Services Bureau (FOID/CCL) · Officialhttps://www.ispfsb.com/
- 7th Cir. opinion, Barnett v. Raoul (July 9, 2026) · Court recordhttps://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/OpinionsWeb/processWebInputExternal.pl?Path=Y2026%2FD07-09%2FC%3A24-3060%3AJ%3ASt__Eve%3Aaut%3AT%3AfnOp%3AN%3A3571193%3AS%3A0&Submit=Display
- 720 ILCS 5/24-2 (exemptions, including (c)(7) for short-barreled rifles) · Officialhttps://ilga.gov/documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/072000050K24-2.htm
Illinois entry last reviewed . Official state sites can move or change; if a link stops working, search the agency's site for the same title.
Notes that apply everywhere
Federal NFA change (suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, AOWs)
Congress set the federal NFA making and transfer tax to $0 for suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) and 'any other weapons' effective January 1, 2026 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 2025). After a federal district court ruling (Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF, N.D. Tex., Aug. 5, 2026), ATF published an open letter from Director Robert Cekada, a press release, a fact sheet and an FAQ saying that as of October 9, 2026 it will not enforce the NFA's approval, registration, tax-stamp and related requirements for those four items, for everyone. Machine guns and destructive devices remain fully regulated. The Gun Control Act still applies, including dealer background checks, the prohibited-person rules, and an approved Form 20 to take an SBR or SBS across state lines, and dealers still may not sell in violation of state or local law. ATF says this does not override state or local law. A state that bans these items still bans them. Many state laws make these items legal only if they are 'registered' or 'lawful under federal law', and how those state laws apply to unregistered items is currently unclear. ATF also warns that enforcement could resume if the law, the ruling or DOJ policy changes. Keep this note in mind whenever you read a state's suppressor, SBR or SBS entry.
U.S. Supreme Court 'assault weapon' cases
The Supreme Court granted review (June 30, 2026) in Viramontes v. Cook County (No. 25-238, a Cook County, IL ordinance) and Grant v. Higgins (No. 25-566, Connecticut). The question is whether the Second Amendment protects possession of AR-15-platform rifles. The cases are scheduled for oral argument on December 2, 2026 (not yet argued as of October 15, 2026), and a decision is expected by mid-2027. Magazine-limit petitions (for example Duncan v. Bonta from CA and NAGR v. Lamont from CT) and New Jersey's petition (No. 26-452) were pending as of mid-October 2026. Every state 'assault weapon' and magazine entry could change as a result.
supremecourt.gov ↗supremecourt.gov ↗supremecourt.gov ↗supremecourt.gov ↗supremecourt.gov ↗
Wolford v. Lopez (U.S. Supreme Court, June 25, 2026)
The Court struck down Hawaii's rule that licensed carriers may not carry on private property open to the public without the owner's express permission. Similar 'default no-carry on private property' rules in some other states (for example CA, NY, NJ and MD) may be affected. This guide hasn't verified how each state has responded.
Federal minimum ages
Under federal law, licensed dealers may sell handguns only to buyers 21 and older, and long guns only to buyers 18 and older. Federal courts have split on whether the 18-20 handgun-sale restriction is constitutional, and this guide doesn't try to resolve that litigation. State rules on how old minors must be to possess guns aren't fully covered here.
Local ordinances
Many cities and counties (for example Chicago and Cook County, IL; Denver and Boulder, CO; Philadelphia, PA; and New York City) have rules stricter than state law. This guide covers state-level law only.
All states, DC and territories · Federal law
Disclaimer
The firearm law information in Firearms Almanac's Laws & Regulations guide (federal, state and territory) is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. It is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Firearm laws change frequently, differ by city and county, and are often affected by court decisions that can take effect with little notice. We try to keep this guide accurate and cite official sources, but we make no guarantee that any entry is complete, current, or correct, and we are not responsible for actions taken based on it. Before buying, selling, carrying, transporting, or shipping any firearm, ammunition, magazine, or accessory, check the current law with the official federal, state or territory source linked on each page and, where appropriate, a qualified attorney. Retailers listed on this site set their own shipping and sales policies and are responsible for complying with the law. Each entry shows the date it was last checked. See also our site Disclaimer.