imported post
buster81 wrote:
Ok folks. I might be accepting a job in Illinois and need to confirm my understaning of the gun laws.
One must get a FOID to be in possession of any firarm or ammunition.
Carrying is out of the question either concealed or openly. Transport is in a locked container only??? Unloaded?
I can carry on my own property.
It appears that a use of force law is in place that allows the use of deadly force if one reasonably believes he/she is in imminent danger.
It appears that possessision is unlawful in some cities. Where would one get a list of these?
Thanks in advance for the help.
You are partly correct. Illinois residents do need a FOID card to have firearms or ammunition. The application is available from the Illinois State Police website
http://www.isp.state.il.us I'd suggest applying as soon as you move. They are supposed to issue within 30 days by law. However it is taking more than that. The thing to do is contact your state rep when 30 days have passed. Normally it then magically appears in the mail in a couple of days. If not daily calls to the ISP may help.
The ISP website has transportation requirements. State law doesn't require a locked case. If you have a FOID card you only need it to be in a case that completely encloses the firearm to meet all state UUW laws and Wildlife Code. Even a shipping box or other container meets state laws other than Wildlife Code, which requires a case. Beware of local laws on transport more stringent than state law.
You didn't mention where you were moving. North of Interstate 80 in the Northeast corner of the state especially you may run into more stringent transportation requirements.
You are correct that conconcealed carry is not allowed. Open carry is only allowed in unincorporated rural areas (not in a vehicle). You can also carry on your own property or fixed place of business. You might consider "fanny pack transport", transporting an unloaded firearm in a fanny pack designed for a firearm, or other "gun case" (special day planner, maxpedition etc). A loaded magazine can be carried in the case as well. This makes you "6 seconds from safety" as
http://www.gunssavelife.com calls it. You'll find out more about this on the "fanny pack carry" topic here or at the website I just mentioned.
Now a word of warning about "fanny packing". You might still get arrested even though it is legal. Illinois law enforcement, even Illinois State Troopers, who should know better since their website clearly says you may have ammuntion in the case when transporting, are often ignorant of Illinois transportation laws.
Should you use the "fanny pack option" that will be your decision. I've use a black Uncle Mikes SideKick fanny pack for about 5 years now, whenever I go out. Never been stopped over it.
The ISP website does have some local firearms regulations. However not all cities that have them put them up on the site, or update them. Best to inquire where you plan on moving to at the city clerks office. Many Chicago area cities that had handgun bans have dropped them after the Heller decision and lawsuits brought. Chicago still requires firearms registration annually and refuses to register handguns that haven't been registered for about the last 20 years.
You didn't mention where you were moving. In southern Illinois, south of Interstate 64, I don't know of any cities with firearms ordinances restricting posession or transportation. If a city or village is a home rule municipality they can impose such ordinances. I'd avoid Chicago like the plague.
I'd suggest you join the Illinois State Rifle Association which is working for licence to carry in Illinois and also go to
http://www.IllinoisCarry.com/forumn and join. Going to the forum here and at IllinoisCarry will keep you advised on concealed carry and other gun legislation. This year over 5000 people went to Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day (IGOLD) in Springfield to lobby for LTC legislation and other good firearms legislation and against bad legislation. Before Illinois Carry got involved a few years ago the lobby day was only attended by a few hundred. Last year attendance was about 2500.
No "duty to retreat" in Illinois!
If you move to Illinois, welcome to the fight.