Does Chicago have constitutional carry?
Asked by: Miss Cali Kling | Last update: February 19, 2026Score: 5/5 (57 votes)
No, Chicago does not have constitutional carry; Illinois law requires residents to have a Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) card and Concealed Carry License (CCL) to carry firearms in public, even in Chicago, which has its own specific local regulations. Illinois is not a constitutional carry state and strictly regulates firearm possession and concealed carry, making licenses mandatory for public carry.
Can you legally carry in Chicago?
On July 9, 2013, Public Act 98-63, the Firearm Concealed Carry Act became state law (430 ILCS 66). This law requires an Illinois Concealed Carry License to carry a concealed firearm in Illinois.
Can you constitutional carry in Illinois?
Does Illinois allow constitutional carry? No. Illinois does not recognize constitutional carry.
Where can you not conceal and carry in Illinois?
It is illegal to carry a concealed weapon in the following locations, but not limited to:
- Bars (and any restaurant deriving more than half of its profits from alcohol)
- Colleges and Universities.
- Courthouses.
- Government buildings.
- Public playgrounds.
- Libraries.
- Museums.
- Permitted public gatherings, such as festivals or parades.
Can you have a gun in your car in Chicago, Illinois?
In Illinois, it is generally illegal to have a loaded gun in your car unless you have a valid concealed carry license. Without a concealed carry license, firearms must be unloaded and enclosed in a case or container during transportation in a vehicle.
Illinois Gun Law 2025, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
Can I travel to Chicago with my firearm?
Illinois does not recognize concealed carry licenses from other states. However, a resident from another state who has a valid concealed carry license from their home state may carry a concealed firearm within a vehicle while traveling through Illinois.
How hard is it to get concealed carry in Chicago?
Getting a concealed carry license in Chicago requires meeting certain rules from state and local authorities. Besides fulfilling the basic requirements, applicants need to go through several steps. This includes detailed background checks, getting fingerprints taken, and finishing an approved firearms training course.
Can I travel between states with my firearm?
Yes, you can travel between states with a firearm under federal law (FOPA), but it's complex, requiring the gun to be unloaded, locked in a case (trunk/separate compartment), and ammunition stored separately, while ensuring you're legally allowed to possess it at your origin and destination; however, strict state and local laws, especially for concealed carry, require detailed research for every state on your route to avoid serious penalties.
Are AR-15 still banned in Illinois?
Yes, AR-15s and similar semi-automatic rifles are currently banned for sale, purchase, and transfer in Illinois under the Protect Illinois Communities Act, though the law remains in effect while facing ongoing legal challenges, with federal appeals courts keeping the ban in place despite a judge ruling it unconstitutional, requiring owners of banned firearms before the ban to register them.
Can you carry a gun in a bar in Illinois?
Firearms in Establishments Serving Alcohol
Illinois law prohibits the possession of firearms in bars or any other place that serves alcohol.
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.
Does constitutional carry mean you can open carry?
In the United States, the term constitutional carry, also called permitless carry, unrestricted carry, or Vermont carry, refers to the legal public carrying of a handgun, either openly or concealed, without a license or permit.
What is the Trump National firearms Act?
1, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025, has removed the $200 manufacturing and transfer tax for suppressors, short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns, and AOW's, although the $200 tax remains for machine guns and destructive devices.
What state is the most gun-friendly?
There isn't one single "most" gun-friendly state, as rankings vary, but New Hampshire, West Virginia, Montana, Arkansas, and South Dakota consistently appear at the top for lenient laws, permitless carry (constitutional carry), and lack of sales tax on firearms, with strong protections like "stand-your-ground" laws. These states offer broad rights for lawful gun owners, with New Hampshire often cited as #1 due to its combination of permitless carry for ages 18+, no sales tax, and self-defense protections.
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.
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.
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 is the new law in Illinois in 2025?
New Illinois laws for 2025 focus on worker protections (pay transparency, minimum wage to $15, military/family leave), consumer rights (gym/subscription cancellation, EpiPen cost cap), digital ID rollout, and healthcare access (hearing aids for all ages, ending short-term health plans). Key changes include mandatory salary disclosures in job postings, banning corporal punishment in schools, and expanded paid leave for organ donation.
Is there a way to conceal carry in all 50 states?
No, you generally cannot conceal carry in all 50 states with a single permit, as laws vary significantly and no federal law mandates universal reciprocity, though many states allow it permitless or honor other states' permits; the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) covers law enforcement, and proposed federal bills aim for national reciprocity, but currently, you need multiple permits or to know specific state rules. All states allow concealed carry in some form, but requirements range from permits (with training/background checks) to permitless "constitutional carry," with private property restrictions also applying everywhere.
Can you ride around with a rifle in your car?
The short answer: yes—but only under strict conditions.
Handguns: Must be unloaded and placed in a locked container or the trunk. The glove box or center console does not qualify. Long guns (rifles & shotguns): Must also be unloaded, but may either be visible (like on a rack) or locked away.
What weapons are legal to carry in Chicago?
You can carry concealed guns if you have the right permit. Pepper spray is legal for self-defense, but there are rules about using it. Stun guns and Tasers have strict guidelines too. Switchblades are okay if you're over 21 and have a FOID card, but local laws might be stricter.
What is the shooting test for Illinois concealed carry?
All students must pass a live fire exercise with a concealable handgun consisting of: A minimum of 30 rounds. 10 rounds from a distance of 5 yards, 10 rounds from a distance of 7 yards, and 10 rounds from a distance of 10 yards at a B-27 Silhouette Target (24"x45") The target we use is shown below.
Where can you not conceal carry in Illinois?
clinic, hospital, artistic venue, athletic venue, entertainment venue, officially recognized university-related organization property, whether owned or leased, and any real property, including parking areas, sidewalks, and common areas under the control of a public or private community college, college, or university.