Questions Answered About Illinois Concealed Carry Licenses

Illinois will begin taking Concealed Carry Licenses on January 5, 2014. Over 350,000 initial applications are expected. Here are the FAQ's about the licenses as posted by the Illinois State Police.

On July 9, 2013, Public Act 98-63, the Firearm  Concealed Carry Act, became state law  You may view the full text of the law at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts /98/PDF/098-0063.pdf
	How will Illinois State Police (ISP) officers and  local law enforcement respond to citizens  who are carrying weapons? The ISP will continue to enforce the law in effect. Citizens cannot lawfully carry concealed weapons without a valid Illinois Concealed Carry License. Citizens who carry firearms without a Concealed Carry License issued by the ISP are subject to arrest. All Illinois residents seeking to obtain a Concealed Carry License must have a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card. Out-of-state residents are exempt from the FOID card requirement.
	Who needs an Illinois Concealed Carry License? Everyone who wants to carry a concealed firearm on his/her person in Illinois is required to have an IllinoisConcealed Carry License except current peace officers and retired police officers eligible under the Illinois Retired Officer Concealed Carry (IROCC) Program. Retired officers may be eligible to carry under either the IROCC Program or the Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66).
	Are out-of-state Concealed Carry permit holde granted reciprocity in Illinois? 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 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.
	What is the cost for an Illinois Concealed  Carry License? $150 for 5 years for Illinois residents $300 for 5 years for out-of-state residents
	How does a citizen apply for an Illinois  Concealed Carry License? The ISP will make applications available to the public by January 5, 2014. The ISP intends to have applications available via the ISP webpage.
	How long will it take a citizen to obtain an  Illinois Concealed Carry License? Upon receipt of a qualified application, the ISP shall issue or deny the applicant an Illinois Concealed Carry License within 90 days, provided the applicant submits a full set of fingerprints in lectronic format. If fingerprints are not submitted in electronic format, the ISP is granted an additional 30 days to complete a manual background check. In all cases, law enforcement agencies will have 30 days to file an objection once an application is received.
	What are the qualifications for an Illinois  Concealed Carry License? The applicant must: Be at least 21 years of age Have a valid FOID card  (if an Illinois resident) Have not been convicted or  found guilty in Illinois or any other state of: A misdemeanor involving the use  or threat of physical force or  violence to any person within the  last 5 years 2 or more violations related to driving  while under the influence of alcohol,  other drug or drugs, intoxicating  compound or compounds, or any  combination thereof, within the  last 5 years Not be the subject of a pending arrest  warrant, prosecution, or proceeding  for an offense or action that could  ead to disqualification Not have been in residential or  court-ordered treatment for alcoholism,  alcohol detoxification,  or drug treatment within the  last 5 years Submit an appropriately completed  Concealed Carry License application Successfully complete 16 hours  of firearms training, including  classroom and range instruction.
	Where can citizens obtain firearms  training? On September 7, 2013, the ISP will begin approval of certified firearms instructors and firearm training courses. A registry of approved instructors and courses will be available on the ISP webpage. PLEASE NOTE: On-duty ISP officers  will NOT provide training to citizens,  nor will ISP ranges be used.
	What does the firearms training  course consist of? The required 16-hour firearms training course will include range qualification time and shall cover the following: Firearm safety The basic principles of  marksmanship Care, cleaning, loading,  and unloading of a concealable firearm All applicable state and federal  laws relating to the ownership,  storage, carry, and transportation  of a firearm Instruction on the appropriate and  lawful interaction with law enforcement  while transporting or carrying a  concealed firearm. All applicants must pass a live fire exercise with a concealable firearm 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  approved by the ISP.
	What are the qualifications to become a  Concealed Carry Firearms Instructor? A person seeking to become a certified Illinois Concealed Carry Firearms Instructor shall: Be at least 21 years of age Be a legal resident of the United States  and qualified for a Concealed  Carry License in Illinois Possess a high school diploma  or GED certificate. Have at least one of the following  valid firearms instructor certifications: Certification from a law  enforcement agency Certification from a  firearm instructor course  offered by a state or federal  governmental agency Certification from a firearm  instructor course offered by the  Illinois Law Enforcement Training  and Standards Board Certification from an entity  approved by the Illinois State Police  that offers firearm instructor education  and training in the use and safety  of firearms
	What type of a firearm will I be allowed to  carry concealed? "Concealed firearm" means a loaded or unloaded handgun carried on or about a person completely or mostly concealed from view of the public or on or about a person within a vehicle. "Handgun" means any device which is designed to expel a projectile or projectiles by the action of an explosion, expansion of gas, or escape of gas that is designed  to be held and fired by the use of a single hand. "Handgun" does not include: A stun gun or taser; A machine gun as defined in item  (i) of paragraph (7) of subsection  (a) of Section 24-1 of the  Criminal Code of 2012; A short-barreled rifle or shotgun  as defined in item (ii) of paragraph  (7) of subsection (a) of Section 24-1  of the Criminal Code of 2012 Any pneumatic gun, spring gun,  paint ball gun, or B-B gun which  expels a single globular projectile  not exceeding .18 inch in diameter,  or which has a maximum muzzle  velocity of less than 700 feet per second,  or which expels breakable paint balls  containing washable marking colors.
	Will persons be allowed to  open carry? No. “Concealed firearm” means a loaded or unloaded handgun carried on or about a person completely  or mostly concealed from view of the  public or on or about a person  within a vehicle.
	How can I register as a Concealed  Carry Firearms Instructor? The ISP will establish administrative rules consistent with the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Updates will be posted to the ISP webpage as information about the rule making process becomes available. Visit our other Blog
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