Firearms in Illinois (2026)

6 rules on the books across Illinois, 1 city or county. Select a rule to read the full details.

Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions

Local Firearms Preemption

Whether your state expressly bars cities from passing their own firearms ordinances, and what (if anything) cities can still regulate.

Illinois preempts most local firearm regulation under the FOID Card Act and Wildlife Code, leaving home rule cities…

State concealed carry licensing, reciprocity with other states, and where concealed carry is prohibited statewide regardless of local rules.

Illinois issues shall-issue concealed carry licenses through the Illinois State Police under the Firearm Concealed…

State rules on visibly carrying a firearm in public, including who may open carry and where open carry is prohibited statewide.

Illinois bans open carry of firearms in public under the Criminal Code, allowing concealed carry only by Firearm…

Illinois bans open carry of firearms statewide. Under 720 ILCS 5/24-1 and 5/24-1.6, carrying an exposed loaded or…

State rules on transporting firearms in private vehicles, locked-case requirements, loaded vs unloaded, and whether locals can add restrictions.

Illinois law sets uniform rules for transporting firearms in vehicles under the FOID Card Act and Firearm Concealed…

Illinois law allows firearm transport in a Chicago vehicle only if the gun is unloaded and enclosed in a case, OR the…