Illinois Gun & Ammo Laws: A 2nd Amendment Overview for Illinois Gun Owners

PLEASE NOTE: The laws which impact Illinois gun owners are subject to frequent change at the local, state, and federal level so it's wise to consult an attorney or your local law enforcement agency before making any final firearms-related decisions. Our official policy on shipping ammo to Illinois can be found here, whereas the information below is meant as a reference point only.

Illinois State Constitution

Subject only to the police power, the right of the individual citizen to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

Illinois Constitutional Provision Article I, Section 22: Right to arms.

Other provisions relating to the power of the people over government:

All men are by nature free and independent and have certain inherent and inalienable rights among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To secure these rights and the protection of property, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Illinois Constitutional Provision Article I, Section 1: Inherent and inalienable rights.

The people have the right to assemble in a peaceable manner, to consult for the common good, to make known their opinions to their representatives and to apply for redress of grievances.

Illinois Constitutional Provision Article I, Section 5: Right to assemble and petition.

Illinois Gun Laws

Illinois Gun Laws Overview (Source: NRA-ILA)
Illinois Concealed Carry (CCW) Overview (Source: HandgunLaw.us)
Illinois Firearms Services Bureau (Source: Illinois State Police Firearms Services Bureau)
Illinois Firearms Services Bureau Frequently Asked Questions (Source: Illinois State Police Firearms Services Bureau)

Illinois Hunting Rules & Regulations

Hunting and Trapping in Illinois (Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources)
Illinois Hunting License Description & Fees (Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources)
Buy Illinois Licenses Online (Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources)
Illinois Hunter Safety (Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources)

Illinois Shooting Ranges

Illinois DNR World Shooting and Recreational Complex (Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources)
NSSF-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NSSF's WhereToShoot.org)
NRA-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NRA.org)

Illinois Competitive Shooting Clubs & Matches

IDPA Clubs (Source: IDPA.com)
IDPA Matches (Source: IDPA.com)
USPSA Clubs (Source: USPSA.org)
USPSA Matches (Source: USPSA.org)
USA Shooting Clubs (Source: USAShooting.org)
USA Shooting Matches (Source: USAShooting.org)
4-H Shooting Sports State Contacts (Source: 4-HShootingSports.org)

Illinois NRA Training Courses & Fundraising Events

Illinois NRA-Affiliated Training Courses (Source: NRA.org)
Illinois "Friends of NRA" Events & News (Source: FriendsofNRA.org)

Illinois State Firearm & Hunting Associations

Illinois State Rifle Association >(NRA-Affiliated)
Illinois Carry
Safari Club International Illinois & Chicago Chapter (SCI-Affiliated)
Illinois Ducks Unlimited Chapter
Illinois Students for Concealed Carry (Source: ConcealedCampus.org)
Illinois Civilian Marksmanship Program (Source: TheCMP.org)
Illinois NRA-Affiliated State Association (Source: NRA.org)
Illinois Safari Club Affiliated State Association (Source: SafariClub.org)

Illinois Gun Shows and FFLs

Illinois Gun & Knife Shows (Source: GunShows-USA.com)
Illinois Gun Shows (Source: GunShowTrader.com)
Illinois FFL Holders (Source: FFLGunDealers.net)
NICS Firearm Checks by State (Source: FBI.gov)

Illinois's Yearly Ranking for Gun-Friendly States

Illinois Elected Public Officials

Congressional (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Gubernatorial (Source: VoteSmart.org)
State Legislature (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Statewide Officials (Source: VoteSmart.org)
NRA's Ranking of Illinois Public Officials (Source: NRA-PVF.org)

Illinois Public Finances and Personal & Economic Freedom Rankings

Illinois State Checkbook (Source: Open The Books)
Illinois State Employees (Source: Open The Books)
Illinois Personal & Economic Freedom Ranking (Source: CATO Institute)
Illinois Civil Asset Forfeiture (aka "Policing For Profit") Ranking (Source: Institute for Justice)

Illinois State Business Tax Climate Rankings

Illinois State Business Tax Climate Rank (Source: Tax Foundation)
Taxes in Illinois (Source: Tax Foundation)

Firearm Background Check Data

Background check types

The transaction types Permit, Permit Recheck, Handgun, Long Gun, Other, Multiple and Admin on the chart are for background checks initiated by an officially-licensed Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) or criminal justice/law enforcement agency prior to the issuance of a firearm-related permit or transfer.

Multiple indicates a background check where more than one type of firearm is associated to a single background check.

Admin indicates the administrative checks that are for other authorized uses of the NICS.

Pre-Pawn background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees seeking to pledge or pawn a firearm.

Redemption background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to regain possession of a firearm after pledging or pawning a firearm as security at a pawn shop.

Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Return to Seller-Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Best Gun-Friendly States Ranking

Overall Freedom Ranking

Business Tax Climate Rankings

Gun and Ammo Laws by State

Popular Ammo Calibers and Brands

223 Ammo 7.62x39 Ammo 9mm Ammo 45 ACP Ammo 22 LR Ammo 12 Gauge Ammo 5.56x45 Ammo 308 Win Ammo 40 S&W Ammo 380 ACP Ammo 38 Spl Ammo 357 Mag Ammo