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 Uh-oh spaghetti Os! (courtesy rrstar.com)

The Illinois State Police are charged with the tricky business of enforcing the Prairie State’s new concealed carry laws. For those of us living in more firearms-friendly climes who aspire to carry in Chicago (just cause) the big question is . . . can we? Not yet. Not until the Police sort out Illinois’ concealed carry reciprocity agreements with other states. Assuming they do so (e.g., Massachusetts and Rhode Island don’t recognize any other state’s concealed carry license). Remembering that there’s no chance that pistol packers from Constitutional Carry states (no permit required) will get the green light to conceal carry in The Land of Lincoln. But wait! What’s this? The po-po’s box-fresh FAQ page points out an interesting exception. “Are out-of-state Concealed Carry permit holders granted reciprocity in Illinois?” Glad you asked . . .

No. Out-of-state residents who want to carry a concealed firearm on his/her person must obtain an Illinois Concealed Carry License to lawfully carry a concealed firearm in Illinois. In order for out-of-state residents to be eligible for an Illinois license, their state’s concealed carry license laws must be substantially similar to those of Illinois. The Illinois State Police will establish rules to identify the elements necessary to meet the substantially similar requirement.

However, out of state residents are granted a limited exception to lawfully carry a concealed firearm within a vehicle if they are eligible to carry a firearm in public under the laws of his or her state or territory of residence and are not prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm under federal law. This rule becomes effective immediately.

If the non-resident leaves leaves his/her vehicle unattended, he or she shall store the firearm within a locked vehicle or locked container within the vehicle in accordance with subsection (b) of Section 65 of the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.

So out-of-state tourists with a concealed carry license from their home state can drive around Illinois with a gun on their hip. The moment they step outside the vehicle? Big trouble in little China. Imagine this . . .

A Texas tourist is pulled over by the cops. He’s carrying and has a CHL license. He tells the cop he’s packing. The cop asks him to step out of the vehicle. What then? “Sorry officer, I can’t do that.” Or “To stay within your state’s concealed carry law I have to now store my firerarm in a locked container. Give me a second, will ya?”

Constitutional Carry is so much easier. If it wasn’t for that blood in the streets Wild West thing . . . Oh wait . . .

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79 COMMENTS

  1. As I understand it, this only applies to out-of-staters with a resident license for their home state…. which means that the citizens of Illinois (such as me) with non-resident permits such as Utah’s still cannot carry in our vehicles.

    So basically, all of you from outside my state with your own resident permit can carry in your vehicle, yet I, with my FOID and Utah non-resident permit, still cannot. Interesting how that works, huh?

    • That’s along the lines of another stupidity… residents of NJ can carry in PA, with a UT license, but can’t carry in our home state no matter what (unless you have compromising cell phone pics of a politician, or something along those lines that earns you the “right” to get one of NJ’s permits…)

      • I hear “Carlos Danger” may be a big wig in New York who may be able to assist your quest for a NYC CCW license…

      • The stupidity never ends:

        Now, a resident of NJ with a Utah permit may be able to carry in PA, but a resident of PA with a Utah permit cannot carry in PA unless they also have a PA permit.

      • Both the resident of PA with the UT permit, and the resident of NJ with the UT permit can move to UT and carry all day long (and go skiing at good resorts).

    • Wait what?! If you have an Illinois FOID, you can carry in your middle console, along with the magazine aslong as the magazine is not in the weapon. People vs Diggins. Look it up..

    • am confused why? anyone that has a cpl wouldnt be allowed to carry in any state moreover the training you have is similar to that of that state.Although we know any unloaded firearm would not serve any purpose in protecting you or your family only needed to visit there to see family and friends in that state along with

    • Matt you can and have been able to carry in your car for some time. Gun must be out of sight and not loaded. Gun can be in counsel between seats or glove box and mag next to it but not in it

    • works the same way here in Wisconsin, residents need a Wisconsin CCW to carry in the state. My Utah permit is no good in my state of residence

  2. I’m having some difficulty with the concept of a “limited exception”. To me, an exception is an exception. Are there really different kinds of exceptions? Half-exceptions, quarter-exceptions, permanently temporary exceptions?

    Semi-exceptions?

  3. Similar to Rhode Island’s peaceable journey law? A person with an out of state license may drive through RI strapped and loaded “without any intent on the part of the person to detain him or herself or remain within the state of Rhode Island.” RIGL Sec, 11-47-8.

  4. There is a “safety zone” around the vehicle to enable a ccw holder to exit the vehicle and put the weapon in the trunk if they so choose.

    • Ya okay I’m still trying to wrap my head around all this crap. I got a problem with some of this junk, for one I believe one should be armed where ever possible in today’s world, now with this Wisconsin to or through IL. Thing Bear with me for a minute, so I’m going down the road or hwy and get pulled over in IL. okay so I am armed I go through the Jazz of hands on the wheel telling the officer that I’m armed and have a permit how would you like me to proceed? Now maybe he or she will say where is it and you leave yours where it is and I’ll leave mine where it is, then write a ticket for speeding or whatever the reason of the stop is, But ?? Now say the cop says step out of the car! I reply I cannot do that until my firearme is unloaded and cased Now is where I think the problem starts, Will a cop let you do that, hell is unholstering to unload to case going to get you shot. Why in the hell cant this just be legal across the board.

    • Ya okay I’m still trying to wrap my head around all this crap. I got a problem with some of this junk, for one I believe one should be armed where ever possible in today’s world, now with this Wisconsin to or through IL. Thing Bear with me for a minute, so I’m going down the road or hwy and get pulled over in IL. okay so I am armed I go through the Jazz of hands on the wheel telling the officer that I’m armed and have a permit how would you like me to proceed? Now maybe he or she will say where is it and you leave yours where it is and I’ll leave mine where it is, then write a ticket for speeding or whatever the reason of the stop is, But ?? Now say the cop says step out of the car! I reply I cannot do that until my firearme is unloaded and cased Now is where I think the problem starts, Will a cop let you do that, hell is unholstering to unload to case going to get you shot. Why in the hell cant this just be legal across the board. And I forgot to add I have a WI. CCL permit

  5. I am an IL resident with a Fl non resident CCL. I believe anyone with a FOID can keep an unloaded firearm in a case in your glove compartment or console with a loaded magazine in the same compartment. Section 24-1 of the Criminal Code of 1961 as outlined on the concealcarry.org website has the details. Use your own good judgement.

    • That is of course true. However we, as IL residents, cannot carry (read: loaded on our person) in our vehicles, yet our of state residents with resident permits for their home states can do so in IL now.

      • Out of state permits have certain handicaps because they’re considered second class permits (e.g., in the ILSP’s eyes, AZ gave you a permit without risking your routinely carrying in their state) – expecting to be able to carry in IL in your car with a UT/AZ/FL out of state permit is asking a lot at this point – just get an IL permit and it’s a non-issue

        • Not likely, not a single state, with the worthless exception of Hawaii is allowed by IL law to even apply for an IL Non-Resident permit as of yet.

    • Yeah. I know when we go deer hunting, firearms must be unloaded and transported in a case. The case can be something as simple as a gun sock but the firearm cannot be loaded.

    • It looked for a while like things were going to get really bad here, especially after the SAFE Act got passed. Democrats from Cook County and some of the suburbs were literally tripping over themselves in an effort to outdo New York. Considering that the Democrats control the Governor’s mansion, the state courts, and have supermajorities in both houses of the state legislature, it looked bad for gun owners.

      Everything was on the table…registration (even though we already have defacto registration), AWB, ammo bans, magazine restrictions, and even mandatory buybacks and confiscation.

      At the end of the day, the antigunners didn’t get ANY of those things and it was actually due to several downstate Democrats voting against those measures.

      Most of Illinois really doesn’t suck. Cook County is why we can’t have nice things…

      • Beware some of the more communist villages though – they fell all over themselves to rush through stupid magazine capacity, “assault” weapon, and other restrictions before the state CCL legislation went into effect. So while Highland Park can’t stop you from carrying, their gestapo CAN seize your weapon and arrest you if you’re found to be lawfully carrying a handgun with more than a 10 round mag – one of these cases needs to be taken up to the state/federal supreme court to get it abolished – same for Chicago restrictions on carrying on public transport (you’re fine walking around in Chicago carrying but step on the CTA and suddenly your a criminal??)

  6. Does it matter what type of vehicle…am I still a law abiding citizen when on motorcycle I leave my home in Minnesota with my ccw permit and my handgun tucked away in a ITWB holster and cruise through the Land of Lincoln??

    • I was about to ask the same question. And if I keep one foot on the peg, or hand on the handlebar, while I fill the tank, am I still able to carry?

    • The minute they ask you to step out of the car it is. LEO will shit themselves if you unholster a piece to put it in the console in order to step out. There are the occasional ones that do in places like FL or TX. I can’t even image the Dan Harless wannabes in Il.

  7. I never stop in Illinois so I am good to go now from Virginia through Colorado as long as I take I-64. Looks like Martin O’Malley won’t be getting any tax money from me any longer.

  8. What about in a car accident, fire, or other emergency? What happens if I’m driving strapped and I see a Ford SUV overturned on the highway? Do I need to lock my gun in the glovebox before I go help?
    A reasonable person would expect to have exceptions for exceptional circumstances, but the law and reasonable expectations seem more divergent every day.

  9. Considering how long it takes to get from Iowa to Indiana via the Mackinac bridge, I’ll take it.

      • Sorry. If you mean I-80, it passes through about 15 miles of Cook County just west of the Indiana border. 🙁

        • Yeah…that’s what I said. If you need to cross through Illinois, at least in the northern part of the state, you would want to use 80 because it steers clear of Cook County.

          Pretty much, as long as you avoid the part of the state that is north of I-80 and east of I-39, Illinois is actually pretty gun-friendly.

          Too bad we can’t get Indiana and Wisconsin to divvy up that part…

      • Well up until now letting the ISP find your loaded firearm in the car has been a good way to earn an all inclusive vacation in Joliet. With the new law I’d still avoid the greater Chicago metropolitan area altogether, but at least you don’t have a choice between your safety and a 700 mile detour.

        • It is just too bad that the Windy City with its draconian gun ordinances has streets covered in the blood of innocent people. I remember a bumper sticker from years ago that needs to be revived, “When guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns.”

  10. Its my understanding that while the ISP is spearheading the CCW policy, the LOCAL PDs are still enforcing their home rule laws.You may be kosher driving while armed according to the ISP,but not according to Podunkville IL. PD.

    • Actually, Podunkville really isn’t going to be your problem. It is the city of Chicago and the suburbs that are really gnashing their teeth over this.

      I believe that to be eligible for “home rule”, a municipality has to have 25,000 residents. The vast majority of Illinois municipalities outside of Cook County and the suburbs don’t qualify for home rule.

  11. If you take cook county out of Illinois we would have one of the most carry friendly states in the us. You kmow what they say about one bad apple…… or county!

    • Yes, but Cook County runs slipshod over the rest of the state because if its huge population which is overwhelmingly poorly informed and minority. Isn’t a a joke to call them “minority” when they’re anything but. What happens when they’re the majority, which is expected by 2050? When they hold all the cards, will they look upon the poor outnumbered whites and call them “minorities” and provide them special protections? Don’t hold your breath!

  12. Ill-lie-and Noise is best skipped by and transportive vehicle be it sea, air, or land. Same for Cuba, NYC, NJ, China, California, etc.

  13. All of this “Legal” mumbojumbo only points out how Unconstitutional it is to have a state, for what ever reason, to not accept another states licensing.

    There is no special law, asside from given constitutional assertion, that states a Sate can or can not disallow another states certificate of eligability.

    Think about it.

    Marriage licenses.
    Drivers Licenses
    Insurance
    Etc.

    How does all of a sudden a constitutional right not be honored?

    It is preposterous.

    We don’t need Congress to make a reciprocity law. All that would be needed to end this lunacy would be for a judge-or jury- to rule thatbthey must. End of story.

  14. Good luck on all that. You may beat the charge, but you won’t beat the ride…

    ISP will happily arrest MO residents with CCWs to this very second. Saying they won’t is merely PR smoke blown up your posterior. The Illionois State Patrol officers have already been informed to make it a point to scare MO residents away from actually doing what they said was OK.

    Sure if you don’t have a problem with being arrested, cuffed and detained for many hours (not to mention losing your firearm until your lawyer money makes them give it back) it may all be hunkey-dorey.

  15. Thanks everyone . I have my ccw licences for MO. I have to be in southern IL soon . After doing some research I am glad to find this website . There all good questions and good answers really helpful . I was born in Rockford IL . Lived in Ogle and Winnebago county most of my life . The FOID card was a joke , and the so called cool down time . I bought several firearms while living in IL . I didn’t care for the waiting period . Now that I live in MO. I fill the paper work out , and the gun dealer makes a call to the FEDS and in 15 min. I am walking out the door with my firearm . Once again thank you .

  16. I tried looking for the mentioned FAQ comment on the ISP website and couldn’t find it. I would call the number that the ISP have on their CHL FAQ to make sure you’re carrying legally

  17. This is so crazy I just go to great lakes PX at times I live in WI. and carry why in the hell dose IL. Got to make things so difficult?

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  19. I have my concealed carry license for Illinois. I cannot find a definitive answer as to weather I can carry a loaded gun in my vehicle in Ilinois or not.

  20. Sorry but Illinois is full of shit. You were and ARE allowed to carry firearms in your personal vehicle even before conceal carry. Illinois law does NOT trump Constitutional law. Additionally, if you were moving from one state to another or just driving through the state to another destination, according to Illinois that would have been illegal? NO. And they can kiss my ass if they think otherwise.

    Regardless, I don’t bother with Illinois anymore. I drive AROUND the state now. I refuse to fly out of Ohare or have any business what so ever in that state (among others like New York, California, Connecticut and more). It takes me longer but they can kiss my ass if they think I will bow down because they think they are bigger than the U.S. Constitution.

  21. So, let me get this straight, as long as I am just passing thru Illinois, I can carry legally with another state ccl, provided the wepon is out of sight and unloaded, and should I exit the vehicle, I must lock the vehicle. Is that correct????

  22. I have a MO CCL and occasionally must drive through parts of IL. The only thing I know to do is to avoid the state as much as possible or plan it where I do not need to stop and spend any of my hard earned money in this crazy state until they can get it together .

  23. I am traveling into Illinois tomorrow. I have a Virginia concealed permit which is a state that Illinois allowed non residents to apply from. But am I correct in reading I can carry concealed as long as it’s in my vehicle. Is this loaded or unloaded in console .. Just wanting to be within rights

  24. Listen , if you carry , or conceal your weapon , just don’t make any mistakes , like speeding . Another thing is don’t tell a soul that you are carrying , the hell with all these states with their so called rules. I say this I plead the 2 nd amendment those are my laws , have a safe carry and concealment day .:-) I served my country for 14 years I was Airborne Infantry so I know from right or wrong about CCW , use common sense when you carry into other states . I will not put my ammo anywere else except into the weapon , you only have seconds to protect yourself .who would do a stupid thing like put the weapon in the trunk , are you kidding me . I’ve seen nothing but BS on this planet , you have the right to defend yourself people , its in the constitution.

  25. Illinois Residents with FOID: READ. FOID. NOT Conceal Carry, are NOT allowed to permanently store a weapon in the vehicle. THEY are allowed weapons in the vehicle ONLY during times of transport to and from ranges, hunting or similar activities.

    Having a FOID card is a COMPLETELY SEPARATE ISSUE FROM CONCEAL CARRY. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME. NOT EVEN IN THE SAME UNIVERSE. fox

  26. IL: OPEN carry on private property IS legal in IL. Also, if you invite me to your house for a bbq and I ask, “Can I carry my gun on your property”? and you say yes, It’s LEGAL. I can open carry on YOUR private property.
    I openly wear my loaded .45 cal 6 shooter on my hip all the time just to piss the neighbors off because they called the cops on me for shooting my pellet gun.
    They also called the cops when they saw my six shooter. The local cops told me, “You can legally carry it on private property, but why would you do that”? I said, “Because it’s legal and I have the right”.
    OBTW: My neighbor, (Miss BITCH) just moved here from the CHICAGO BURBS. I live in Millstadt, IL. Zip code is 62260.
    After Mrs Bitch called the cops on me for shooting my pellet gun in my back yard, The local cops said it was not legal to shoot a pellet gun in the city. I asked them to show me the city ordinance and they could not do it and told me, “I’m pretty sure its not legal”. PRETTY SURE..???? I’m pretty sure I shoot my pellet gun every day in my yard.. lol

  27. Just trying to find an answer, I have a ccw in mo, I’m a resident in mo, can I carry concealed in my car in Illinois??? I frequently go see my fiancée who lives there I’ve received several different answers from gun owners, ISP, and Missouri Leo’s. I’ve heard locked in two separate conpartments, unloaded, locked in safe with magazine separate, that I can carry on my person in the car until I step out… I’m lost.. Just don’t wanna be detained for breaking a law I don’t intend to break. Thanks.

  28. I am a resident of Indiana and have a license to carry a hand gun issued by the Indiana state police. Can anyone tell me if I can legally carry a loaded firearm in my car while traveling within the state of Illinois? I have heard (and read) that I can carry on my person in the car, but if I should step out of my car with the firearm it then becomes Illegal. I have looked all over and I cannot find anything in writing that clearly states this is legal, and what i have found is either from 2013 from a frequently asked questions/answer page or the url link to the source info is a bad url. Can anyone point me in the right direction or a url link to where it states it is legal. (June 2016)
    Thanks,
    Doug

  29. I think I may have found the answer to my own question?

    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=3497

    (430 ILCS 66/40)
    Sec. 40. Non-resident license applications.
        (a) For the purposes of this Section, “non-resident” means a person who has not resided within this State for more than 30 days and resides in another state or territory.
        (b) The Department shall by rule allow for non-resident license applications from any state or territory of the United States with laws related to firearm ownership, possession, and carrying, that are substantially similar to the requirements to obtain a license under this Act.
        (c) A resident of a state or territory approved by the Department under subsection (b) of this Section may apply for a non-resident license. The applicant shall apply to the Department and must meet all of the qualifications established in Section 25 of this Act, except for the Illinois residency requirement in item (xiv) of paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Section 4 of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. The applicant shall submit:
            (1) the application and documentation required under
         Section 30 of this Act and the applicable fee;
            (2) a notarized document stating that the applicant:
                (A) is eligible under federal law and the laws of his or her state or territory of residence to own or possess a firearm;
                (B) if applicable, has a license or permit to carry a firearm or concealed firearm issued by his or her state or territory of residence and attach a copy of the license or permit to the application;
                (C) understands Illinois laws pertaining to the possession and transport of firearms; and
                (D) acknowledges that the applicant is subject to the jurisdiction of the Department and Illinois courts for any violation of this Act;
            (3) a photocopy of any certificates or other evidence of compliance with the training requirements under Section 75 of this Act; and
            (4) a head and shoulder color photograph in a size specified by the Department taken within the 30 days preceding the date of the application.
        (d) In lieu of an Illinois driver’s license or Illinois identification card, a non-resident applicant shall provide similar documentation from his or her state or territory of residence. In lieu of a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification Card, the applicant shall submit documentation and information required by the Department to obtain a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card, including an affidavit that the non-resident meets the mental health standards to obtain a firearm under Illinois law, and the Department shall ensure that the applicant would meet the eligibility criteria to obtain a Firearm Owner’s Identification card if he or she was a resident of this State.
        (e) Nothing in this Act shall prohibit a non-resident from transporting a concealed firearm within his or her vehicle in Illinois, if the concealed firearm remains within his or her vehicle and the non-resident:
            (1) is not prohibited from owning or possessing a
         firearm under federal law;
            (2) is eligible to carry a firearm in public under
         the laws of his or her state or territory of residence, as evidenced by the possession of a concealed carry license or permit issued by his or her state of residence, if applicable; and
            (3) is not in possession of a license under this Act.
        If the non-resident leaves his or her vehicle unattended, he or she shall store the firearm within a locked vehicle or locked container within the vehicle in accordance with subsection (b) of Section 65 of this Act. (Source: P.A. 98-63, eff. 7-9-13; 98-600, eff. 12-6-13; 99-78, eff. 7-20-15.)

  30. I know I’m a little late here but what about riding my motorcycle through Illinois? Can I have it on my hip if I don’t get off my bike?

  31. since I have my conceal carry in Illinois and I am a resident can I carry my loaded hand gun I a holster underneath my steering wheel or by gear selector in my car. I can find no where in the conceal carry law that says one way or the other. Thank you

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