Does expungement restore gun rights in Illinois?

Asked by: Prof. Adah Murray V  |  Last update: March 31, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (44 votes)

NOT ONLY DOES Illinois have new laws allowing for expungement of arrests and criminal convictions, a recent ruling from the Illinois Supreme Court allows for the restoration of gun and other civil rights. If you are looking for a fresh start please contact us for a free, no obligation consultation.

Can I get my gun rights back in Illinois?

Firearm rights are lost upon a felony conviction or juvenile adjudication/misdemeanor, 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/24-1.1(a), and may be restored upon appeal by the Firearm Owner's Identification Card Review Board, unless the conviction was for a certain violent, drug, or firearm offenses.

Can I own a gun with an expunged felony in Illinois?

You can't get a gun in Illinois if you've been convicted of a felony. A small number of people are eligible for felony record expungement, though, so it's a good idea to talk to a Chicago expungement attorney about your situation if you think you might be eligible.

How long after a felony can I own a gun in Illinois?

You haven't been convicted of any violent or forcible felony charges in the past 20 years. It's been more than 20 years since your incarceration for a violent or forcible felony conviction. The restoration of your gun rights isn't contradictory to public interests.

How much does it cost to get my gun rights back?

Gun rights restoration services start as low as $750, depending on the state in which your record occurred. We understand that cost is an important factor in choosing an attorney and we strive to keep our prices fair to our clients.

How I got my gun rights restored as a violent felon. FULL Process explained.

25 related questions found

Can the ATF restore gun rights?

925(c), you can apply to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms to restore your gun rights. And if your application is denied, then you can seek judicial review in federal court. But since 1992, Congress barred ATF from spending money to review and investigate a felon's application to restore gun rights.

What states restore gun rights to felons?

- Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon and South Dakota automatically restore firearms rights to convicted felons - including those who committed violent crimes - but make them wait five to 15 years after they complete state supervision, the center and ATF found.

Can a felon live in a house with a gun in Illinois?

Even if you have no intention to use, carry, transport or otherwise do anything more than store the firearm, this will still result in potential exposure to a conviction of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. Even if a firearm that is owned by someone else is found in your home, you can be charged with UUW Felon.

What disqualifies you from buying a gun in Illinois?

There are several things that will disqualify you from owning a firearm in IL, such as: Not being a US citizen or legal alien. Having a medical marijuana license (this prevents you from purchasing from an FFL, but does not prevent you from owning) Being convicted of a felony.

What Cannot be expunged in Illinois?

Arrest, charges or sentences that cannot be expunged (erased):
  • Any arrests, charges, or sentences outside Illinois.
  • Any federal criminal cases, even if they happened in Illinois.
  • Any sentences you have not yet completed, including parole, probation, or court supervision.

Will a sealed record show up on a gun background check?

FBI for background checks related to firearms. Courts can still access your sealed convictions and may count them for the purpose of sentence enhancement or for establishing the elements of a subsequent crime.

What's the typical sentence for a felon with a gun in Illinois?

The consequences of a felon found in possession of a firearm in Illinois are severe. The offense is classified as a Class 3 felony, which can carry a prison sentence of between 2 and 10 years.

Who is exempt from Illinois gun ban?

However, the act does include exceptions for law enforcement, private security, prison guards, and active military personnel. Illinois citizens not exempt from the ban must register their owned firearms from the list with the state police before the January 1, 2024, deadline.

Can a felon have a black powder gun in Illinois?

The short answer is no. If you have a felony, you are not able to have a FOID card. You need a FOID card for a modern manufactured black powder gun. Some antique firearms do not require a FOID card, but it is a case by case basis.

Can class 4 felonies be expunged in Illinois?

You may be eligible to expunge or seal a Class 4 felony conviction if it is your first offense and you have completed all the terms of your sentence. You may also be eligible to expunge or seal certain non-violent Class 3 and Class 4 felony convictions.

Can I get my gun rights restored in Illinois?

In order to petition to restore your rights, you must first be denied an Illinois Firearm Owner Identification Card (FOID Card). You must be a resident of Illinois to apply for a FOID Card. Since you live out-of-state, you cannot apply for the Illinois FOID Card to begin the process of restoring your rights.

Does the 2nd Amendment protect felons?

The Second Amendment Permits The Disarming of “Dangerous” Felons. Each year, more than 8,000 people are convicted for unlawful possession of a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). About 90% of those cases arose from gun possession by a felon.

Can I own a gun if my husband is a felon?

There are no laws that forbid spouses of convicted felons from possessing a firearm. Therefore, you can own a firearm even if your spouse is a convicted felon.

What rights are restored after a felony conviction?

A person convicted of a felony loses the rights to vote, to run for state office, and to sit on a jury. After a first felony conviction, these rights are restored automatically upon completion of sentence if all restitution has been paid. (Unlike unpaid restitution, unpaid fines do not affect restoration of rights.)

What is the best state for a felon to live in?

The most friendly state for felons is Vermont, where no felons are disenfranchised and no voting restrictions. In the US, there are 5.17 million people disenfranchised due to a felony conviction. There are 2 million people in prisons around the US.

Can felons own old guns?

Further, a person charged or convicted of a felony can still own or possess antique firearms. Antique firearms are defined as those manufactured on or before 1898, any replica of such, or any muzzle-loading rifle, shotgun, or pistol that uses only black powder substitute.

Does the ATF know what guns I own?

Your ffl is supposed to keep the 4473 for a certain amount of years. All that would happen is if your gun shows up at a crime scene they'll come ask some questions. The atf doesn't know what kind of gun you bought outside of is it a pistol or rifle or other.

What states allow felons to own firearms?

All states except Vermont generally restrict firearm access after a person has been convicted of a felony, mirroring federal law in this area, which generally prohibits firearm access after an individual has been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison.