Selling, possessing, and using ammunition and firearms in Chicago is regulated by Illinois Gun laws. Residents need a Firearm Owners Identification card (FOID card) issued by Illinois State Police to possess a firearm.
Any applicant must be more than 21 years of age and complete a 16-hour training course before getting a CCW license to carry a handgun. However, if the law enforcement agency suspects danger to the applicant himself/herself or public safety, they may reject the application.
In most areas of Chicago, open carry of a handgun is prohibited. If a person is transporting a firearm without a license of concealed carry, they must unload it and enclose it in a case or break it down to a non-functional state to avoid immediate access. This could even be the case with an airsoft gun, BB-gun, or paintball gun. Before buying a firearm, the seller verifies the FOID card and keeps the sale record for a minimum of 10 years. Any lost or stolen firearm has to be reported to the police.
Are you looking for detailed information about gun law in Chicago? Find their firearms laws here.
Minimum Requirements To Obtain A CCW Handgun License
You are eligible to get a CCW handgun license in Chicago only if you meet the following conditions:
• You are a minimum of 21 years of age.
• You possess a valid FOID (Firearm Owner's Identification) Card.
• You are not convicted of any misdemeanor involving physical violence or force over the last five years.
• You did not violate driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicating compounds more than twice over the last five years.
• You should not be subject to an awaited prosecution, proceeding, or arrest warrant for any action that may lead to disqualification for possessing or owning a firearm.
• You were not under a court-ordered or residential treatment for alcohol detoxification, drug treatment, or alcoholism over the last five years.
Places Where You Cannot Carry A Firearm
Even if you have a CCW license, you cannot carry a firearm to any of the following places:
• Secondary or elementary school
• Child care facility or pre-school
• Any area controlled by an officer of the legislative or executive government branch
• An appellate court, circuit court, or Supreme court
• Any area controlled by a local government unit
• Juvenile or adult correctional or detention institution, jail, or prison
• Nursing home, hospital, hospital affiliate, or mental health facility
• Public bus, train, or other transportation means
• Any establishment that serves alcohol
• Special event or public gathering open for public
• Any building possessing a Special Event Retailer’s license
• Public park, playground, or athletic area
• Any property controlled by the Cook County Forest Preserve District
• Any college or university
• A public library, airport, zoo, museum, amusement park, stadium, or arena
• Gaming facility
• Any area under Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• Any other place where carrying firearms is restricted by the Federal Law
Sale or Purchase Of Fully Automatic Or Semi-Automatic Rifles
It is not legal to sell, purchase, or carry a fully automatic rifle in Chicago, except for military members, law enforcement, and gun dealers with a federal license. Any rifles that fire as long as you pull the trigger may be purchased only with permission from ATF, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
If you apply with ATF, you will have to undergo an extensive background test, pay a fee annually, and get permission from the highest authority of law enforcement in your area. However, you may hold a semi-automatic rifle and take it to a rifle gun range legally if you have a FOID card.
Get A Grip On Gun Laws In Chicago, IL
You can see that gun law in Chicago is one of the tightest in the country. Illinois is one of the seven states who make a license mandatory for buying a gun. It has a compulsory waiting period of 72 hours and was the last US state to permit concealed carry. If you have been charged with Unlawful Use of Weapons in Chicago, only a qualified attorney can get you out of the case with safety.
