Prior to February 2017, Illinois State Police considered only Hawaii, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Virginia to be substantially similar. [33] In February 2017, the list of substantially similar states was replaced by Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas and Virginia. [34] Idaho and Nevada were added to the list in 2020. [35] Illinois concealment permit holders in the three states removed from the list of approved states received letters indicating that their Illinois port permits were no longer valid. [35] On June 26, 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the handgun ban in Washington, D.C. in District of Columbia v. Heller. [121] Chicago and other municipalities have faced legal pressure to change their laws. [122] [123] In the months following Heller, handgun bans were lifted in the suburbs of Wilmette,[124] Morton Grove,[125] Evanston,[126] and Winnetka,[127] but Chicago and Oak Park maintained their laws. [126] [128] A Firearms Owner Identification Card (FUID) is required to purchase or possess a Taser or stun gun.
There is a 24-hour waiting period between purchase and possession. [4] [63] On March 21, 2019, the Illinois Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the ban on carrying Tasers or stun guns in public violated the Second Amendment and was therefore unconstitutional. The court found that Tasers and stun guns are not covered by the state`s concealed carrying laws. Since Tasers and stun guns are less lethal than firearms, they are entitled to at least as much legal protection. [64] [65] For private sales, the seller must verify the buyer`s FOID card and keep records of the sale for at least 10 years. Lost or stolen weapons must be reported to the police. There is a 72-hour waiting period to be taken into possession after the purchase of a firearm. The possession of automatic firearms, short-barreled shotguns or silencers is prohibited. Possession of short-barreled rifles is permitted only for those who hold an ATF Curios and Relics permit or who are members of a military re-enactment group. The state does not restrict the sale or possession of firearms that have been defined as assault weapons, or magazines that may hold more than a certain number of rounds of ammunition, but some local jurisdictions restrict them. Local regulations can also make other changes illegal.
It is important that you know and understand local gun laws before modifying a firearm. Illegal modifications can result in jail time, significant fines and confiscation of the modified firearm. If you are convicted of violating these gun laws, you risk jail time and/or a fine. The following penalties apply per firearm: Previously, some Illinois communities had laws restricting the possession of handguns. Another modification concerns a Glock switch or an Auto-Sear. These devices can transform a rifle or semi-automatic pistol from a single-shot pistol into an automatic pistol that fires several shots with each movement of the trigger. This technique transforms a legally owned semi-automatic firearm into a fully automatic weapon whose possession is illegal in Illinois and under federal law. Some local governments have knife laws that are more restrictive than state ones. In Chicago, it is illegal to carry a knife with a blade more than 2.5 inches (64 mm) long. [138] There are many gun enthusiasts who modify weapons for creative aesthetics, better performance, and physical control. There are many amendments that are completely legal, but there are amendments that are not. It is important to understand which changes are legal and which are not.
Before modifying your firearm, you should first be aware of local gun laws and regulations in Illinois and never make illegal gun modifications. If you have any questions about current gun control laws or are being prosecuted, contact our experienced criminal defense attorneys at Ktenas Law. Contact us today to arrange a free initial consultation! Illinois was the last state to pass a law allowing citizens to carry guns in secret. [45] [46] The original ban on the carrying of small arms and light weapons was enacted in 1949, the last revision of the ban was published in 1962. [47] The existing law prohibited concealed port and generally prohibited open port, except in counties that had issued orders authorizing open carry. On December 11, 2012, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled in Moore v. Madigan that Illinois` secret wearing ban was unconstitutional and gave the state 180 days to change its laws.
[48] The Court subsequently granted an extension of 30 days. [49] On July 9, 2013, Illinois passed the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, which established a system for issuing secret port permits. [50] [51] On September 12, 2013, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in People v. Aguilar also ruled that the state`s law on the serious illegal use of a weapon, which completely prohibited concealed carrying, was unconstitutional. [52] On January 5, 2014, state police began accepting applications for hidden handgun permits. [53] On February 28, 2014, state police announced that they had begun issuing concealed driver`s licenses. [54] It is important to understand the state of Illinois and federal gun laws before building or modifying your firearm, as you could make an illegal firearm or make your gun illegal. It is also important that you are aware of the various laws relating to the possession or transfer of weapons by or to prohibited persons.
Note: State laws can always change through the passage of new laws, decisions in higher courts (including federal decisions), voting initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most up-to-date information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to review the state laws you are seeking. For more information on some of the key provisions of Illinois` gun control laws, see the table below. State and federal gun control laws can be complicated and constantly evolving. If you`re facing criminal gun allegations or have questions about current gun control laws, you should find a Chicago criminal defense attorney with experience in Illinois gun laws to talk to. Contact an experienced Ktenas Law criminal defense attorney to arrange a free initial consultation. Cook County has banned the possession of certain semi-automatic firearms, which it has defined as assault weapons. [83] [84] Residents must report to the county sheriff within 48 hours all stolen, lost, destroyed, sold or otherwise transferred firearms. The sheriff may share this information with other law enforcement agencies. [85] [86] Licensed gun dealers must provide the county with information about the purchasers and weapons they purchase, and obtain authorization before proceeding with the sale. [87] It is prohibited to acquire more than one firearm in the same 30-day period.
[88] In a dwelling where a person under the age of 21 is present, all weapons must be secured with a trigger bolt or stored unloaded in a locked container separate from the ammunition or attached to the body of the rightful owner. [89] In Cook County, local laws, such as Chicago`s, take precedence over county laws governing similar matters. [90] Cook County imposes a twenty-five dollar tax on the sale of a firearm by a retailer, in addition to the county`s usual sales tax.