Commonly

Asked

Questions

OnTransportingFirearmsinIllinois

transporting firearms in unfamiliar communities, it is

a good idea to check with authorities on local law.

If a non-resident is coming to Illinois to hunt

and would like to bring their firearm, how

do they legally transport it?

ber, without a FOID card, is driving the

vehicle without me and is stopped by

police and the firearm is found?

The law states a person must “knowingly” violate the

law. The assumption in the question is that the

family member was unaware of a firearm’s presence.

However, at a traffic stop, you should expect the

officer to handle the situation at face value, take

enforcement action accordingly, and let the court settle

the matter. Depending on the situation, the charge

The location of ammunition being transported,

including ammunition being transported in loaded

magazines, is not regulated if the firearm is possessed

or transported lawfully.

Is it illegal to have ammunition in the case

with the firearm?

No, if the firearm is unloaded and is properly enclosed

in a case and the individual possessing the firearm and

ammunition is in possession of a valid FOID card.

Can I transport a firearm in a gun rack in

when I travel?

Yes, assuming no local ordinance applies. The critical

question is how the firearm was carried into the room

and transported in a vehicle. Those actions must be

done lawfully.

I have a friend/relative who has a

“conceal and carry” permit issued in the

state in which they reside. Is the permit

recognized in Illinois?

No. Illinois does not recognize conceal and carry from

Removal of percussion cap or removal of prime

powder from frizzen pan with frizzen open and

hammer all the way down or removal of prime pow-

der from flashpan and wheel unwound or removal

of prime powder and match with match not lit, or

removal of the battery from the CVA electronic igni-

tion muzzleloader, shall constitute an unloaded

muzzle loading firearm.

For more information, contact:

Illinois State Police at 217/524-2525

Legally

How can I legally transport a firearm on

my person or in my vehicle?

Three statutory codes regulate the possession, trans-

fer, and transportation of firearms – the Criminal

Code, the Wildlife Code, and the Firearm Owner’s

Identification Act.

Under Unlawful Use of Weapons (UUW) in the

Criminal Code, persons who have been issued a valid

ported under the Criminal Code. The Wildlife Code,

however, is more restrictive. It requires that all

firearms transported in or on any vehicle or con-

veyance be unloaded and in a case. Because of this, it

is recommended that, in order to be in compliance

with all statutes, all firearms be transported:

1. Unloaded, and

2. Enclosed in a case, and

3. By persons who have a valid FOID card.

Unless specifically exempted from UUW, a person

Criminal Code (i.e.,

unlawfully carries on their person or illegally trans-

ports a firearm in a vehicle) AND one or more of the

following aggravating factors apply:

1. The firearm possessed was uncased, loaded, and

immediately accessible at the time of the offense;

2. The firearm possessed was uncased, unloaded,

and the ammunition for the weapon was imme-

diately accessible at the time of the offense;

3. Does not have a valid FOID card;

7. Has had an Order of Protection against them in

the last two years;

8. Was engaged in the commission or attempted

commission of a Misdemeanor involving the

use of violence against another person or the

property of another; or

9. Is under 21 years of age and in possession of

a handgun, unless the person is engaged in

lawful recreational activities such as: practice

shooting on targets upon established public or