Illinois gun laws

Last verified November 1, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Gun laws change often and vary by city and county. Verify every rule with the state's agency or statutes before you carry or travel.

Carry

Permitless (constitutional) carry: No, a permit is required to carry concealed
A concealed carry license is required.
Open carry: Not allowed. The Concealed Carry Act licenses only carry that is fully or mostly concealed, or on or about the person in a vehicle (430 ILCS 66/5, 66/10). Source
Permits: Illinois permit guide

Vehicle transport

With a FOID card, a firearm must be unloaded and in a case, broken down, or not immediately accessible. A concealed carry licensee may carry a loaded concealed handgun in the vehicle (Illinois State Police transport guide). Source

Places where carry is banned

Licensees may not carry in K-12 schools, preschools and child care; executive and legislative buildings; courthouses; local government buildings; jails; hospitals and nursing homes; public transit; bars (over 50% alcohol sales); public gatherings that require a permit; stadiums and sporting events; libraries; airports; casinos; amusement parks; zoos and museums; colleges; public parks and playgrounds; and nuclear facilities (430 ILCS 66/65). Licensees may keep a firearm in a locked vehicle in many of these parking areas. Source

Magazines and assault weapons

Magazine capacity limit: Yes, 10 for long guns, 15 for handguns rounds
Assault-weapon restrictions: Yes, a general ban on sale, manufacture and transfer

Duty to inform

When asked. During any investigative or traffic stop, a licensee asked by the officer must disclose the concealed firearm, show the license, say where the firearm is and let the officer secure it (430 ILCS 66/10(h)). Source

Stand your ground and castle doctrine

Not on NCSL's list of states with no duty to retreat. Castle-doctrine rules at home may still apply. Not confirmed. Check with Illinois State Police.

Red-flag law

Yes. Courts can issue extreme risk protection orders.

Reciprocity

Illinois does not recognize out-of-state licenses for general carry; non-residents with a home-state permit may carry in a vehicle while traveling.

Does not honor other states' permits. Non-residents with a home-state permit may carry in a vehicle while traveling.

Official reciprocity information

Check whether Illinois honors your permit

Sources

Magazine, assault-weapon and red-flag lists come from Giffords Law Center summaries; stand-your-ground from NCSL. Carry, vehicle, banned-place, duty-to-inform and reciprocity details come from the state's own legislature, attorney general or state police pages.