Can I carry a gun in my pocket in Illinois?
Asked by: Ozella Schaden PhD | Last update: February 13, 2026Score: 5/5 (60 votes)
Yes, you can carry a gun in your pocket in Illinois, but only if it's concealed, you have a valid Illinois Concealed Carry License (CCL), a FOID card, and meet all eligibility requirements, as open carry is generally prohibited; the firearm must be completely or mostly hidden from public view and your license must be on your person, with many prohibited places like schools and government buildings where carrying is forbidden.
Can I pocket carry in Illinois?
House Bill 0183 (HB-0183), also known as the Firearm Concealed Carry Act became a law in Illinois on July 9, 2013. The law allows concealed carry licensees to carry concealed or mostly concealed handguns in most public places.
Is a gun in your pocket considered concealed?
“Concealed carry” includes not only holding or carrying the gun on your person but also keeping it in your pocket, purse, briefcase, or any other container you may be carrying. Firearms carried openly in belt holsters are not concealed weapons.
Can I carry a gun without a permit in Illinois?
Yes, you absolutely need an Illinois Concealed Carry License (CCL) to carry a concealed firearm in public in Illinois, along with a Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) card to possess firearms at all, with strict requirements including being 21+, having a valid FOID, and passing background checks, as Illinois law requires this license for public carrying and failure to have it is a serious offense.
Can you walk around with a gun in Illinois?
A: No, you cannot carry a gun without a permit in Illinois. It require individuals to hold a valid Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) card to possess firearms or ammunition. To legally carry a concealed weapon in public, a Concealed Carry License (CCL) is also required.
Illinois Firearm Transportation Laws [UPDATED 2023] - How to legally transport your guns through IL
Where can I not carry my gun in Illinois?
Illinois generally prohibits possession of a firearm in or on the real property of a public park, courthouse, any conveyance owned, leased, or contracted by a public transportation agency, or on any public way within 1,000 feet of the real property comprising any school, courthouse or public transportation facility.
Does open carry mean you can walk around with firearms?
Categories of law
Permissive open carry states. A state has passed full preemption of all firearms laws, with few exceptions. They allow open carry for all nonprohibited citizens and do not require a permit or license to carry firearms openly. Open carry is fully lawful on foot.
Can I have a loaded gun in my car in Illinois?
Concealed Carry within a Vehicle
Pursuant to the Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act, 430 ILCS 66/1 et seq., certain persons may keep or carry a loaded or unloaded concealed firearm on or about their persons or within a vehicle.
What happens if you get caught with a gun in Illinois without a FOID card?
Possession of a firearm without a FOID card can result in a Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, or Class 4 felony or a Class A misdemeanor. Penalties can range from up to 364 days in jail to up to 15 years in prison.
Can you carry a gun in your glove box in Illinois?
Licensees can briefly carry or retrieve the weapon (from the driver's seat to the trunk) in order to place it in a locked container for storage. Other forms of acceptable storage include the trunk, glove compartment, console, firearm carrying box, or other container that completely encloses the firearm or ammunition.
Can I carry a handgun in my pocket?
In many states, it is legal to carry a gun in your pocket without a holster; however, it is not recommended due to safety concerns. A proper holster protects the trigger and prevents accidental discharges.
Is it illegal to pocket carry without a holster?
The legality of carrying a concealed firearm without a holster varies significantly from state to state. While federal law does not specifically regulate how firearms must be carried, individual states have the authority to enact their own regulations.
Is it safe to keep a gun in your pocket?
A quality pocket holster is essential for ensuring safe and secure pocket carry. Without one, carrying a gun in your pocket presents risks, including accidental discharges and potential difficulty drawing the gun when you need it.
Can I travel with my gun in Illinois?
unloaded and enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container by a person who has a valid FOID card; or carried or possessed in accordance with the Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66/) by a person who has a valid Illinois Concealed Carry License.
Is pocket carry considered concealed?
Concealment - Pocket carry offers excellent concealment, as the firearm is hidden in your pocket, making it difficult for others to see. This can be especially useful in situations where you want to avoid drawing attention to yourself.
Can you open carry in your home in Illinois?
Open carry of firearms is generally illegal, except when hunting, or on one's own land, or in one's own dwelling or fixed place of business, or on the land or in the dwelling or fixed place of business of another person with that person's permission.
Can I shoot a gun in my backyard in Illinois?
In Illinois, shooting a gun in your backyard is generally illegal in residential areas due to reckless discharge statutes, but it may be permitted on large properties (like 5+ acres with distance requirements) or for self-defense, though local ordinances vary, and you must always have a FOID card and ensure no projectiles cross property lines, as firing in the air or near others is a felony offense.
Do guns in Illinois have to be registered?
Yes, Illinois requires registration for specific firearms, particularly those defined as "assault weapons" under the 2023 Protect Illinois Communities Act, which had a January 1, 2024, deadline for owners to register them via their FOID account to be "grandfathered," while all residents must have a FOID card to possess guns, but generally, general firearms aren't registered individually like some other states, though transfers must be documented and traced.
How many bullets can you legally carry in a handgun in Illinois?
Under the Protect Illinois Communities Act, which became law on January 10, 2023, large capacity magazines—defined as those holding more than 10 rounds for rifles or more than 15 rounds for handguns—are generally prohibited.
What states honor Illinois concealed carry?
Illinois concealed carry permit (CCL) is honored by roughly 29 states, including Alabama, Arizona, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin, though some, like Michigan, only recognize Illinois resident permits, and others like Florida, have permitless carry. Always verify reciprocity with the specific state you plan to visit, as laws vary, and some states may have unique rules or age requirements.
Can I move to Illinois with my AR-15?
You must apply for a Firearm Owner's Identification Card and complete an endorsement affidavit within 60 days of moving to Illinois. See 720 ILCS 5/24-1.9 and 20 Ill. Admin. Code 1230.15.
Can you carry on an unloaded gun?
You may transport unloaded firearms in a locked hard-sided container as checked baggage only. Declare the firearm and/or ammunition to the airline when checking your bag at the ticket counter.
Why is open carry bad?
Permitless carry makes it difficult for officers to identify who is a credible threat, leading to increased violence and distrust between police and vulnerable communities.
What caliber is illegal in Illinois?
Last updated December 31, 2023 . On January 10, 2023, Illinois enacted legislation to generally ban commerce and possession of fifty caliber rifles as part of the state's larger ban on assault weapons.