Illinois law sets uniform rules for transporting firearms in vehicles under the FOID Card Act and Firearm Concealed Carry Act, preempting local handgun transport ordinances.
Under Section 24-1.6 of the Criminal Code (720 ILCS 5/24-1.6) and Section 24-2 (720 ILCS 5/24-2), a person without a Concealed Carry License may transport a firearm in a vehicle only if the firearm is unloaded and enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container, or if it is broken down in a non-functioning state. Concealed Carry License holders may carry a loaded, concealed handgun on or about their person or within an accessible vehicle compartment under 430 ILCS 66/10. Section 90 of the Concealed Carry Act preempts the field of handgun transportation, voiding inconsistent local rules. FOID cardholders without a CCL must follow the case-and-unloaded rule.
Violations of vehicle carry rules may constitute aggravated unlawful use of a weapon under 720 ILCS 5/24-1.6, generally a Class 4 felony, with enhanced penalties for prior convictions.
See how Chicago's firearms in vehicles rules stack up against other locations.
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