Loading...

Concealed Carry FAQ

Everyone who wants to carry a concealed firearm on his/her person in Illinois is required to have an Illinois Concealed Carry License except current peace officers and retired police officers eligible under a federally approved retired officer concealed carry program such as the Illinois Retired Officer Concealed Carry (IROCC) Program.

Generally, an Unlawful Use of Weapon first offense is a Class A Misdemeanor and a second or subsequent offense is a Class 3 Felony; however, there are penalty enhancements for certain locations (for example on or within 1,000 feet of any school, public park, courthouse, public transportation facility, or residential public housing). Further, an Aggravated Unlawful Use of Weapons first offense is a Class 4 Felony and a second or subsequent offense is a Class 2 Felony.

No. A handgun carried on or about a person must be concealed from view of the public or on or about a person within a vehicle.

Notwithstanding any prohibition to the contrary – except those pertaining to property regulated by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission or where firearms are prohibited under federal law, any licensee prohibited from carrying a concealed firearm into the parking area of a prohibited location shall be permitted to carry a concealed firearm on or about his or her person within a vehicle into the parking area and may store a firearm or ammunition concealed in a case within a locked vehicle or locked container out of plain view within the vehicle in the parking area. A licensee may carry a concealed firearm in the immediate area surrounding his or her vehicle within a prohibited parking lot area only for the limited purpose of storing or retrieving a firearm within the vehicles trunk , No longer does the licensee need to ensure the firearm is unloaded prior to exiting the vehicle.

$150 for 5 years for Illinois residents

$300 for 5 years for out-of-state residents

The ISP will make applications available to the public by January 5, 2014. The ISP intends to have applications available via the ISP webpage. Additional information regarding the application and fingerprinting process will be added to this website at the time applications are made available.

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 electronic 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.

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
  • a 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 lead to disqualification
  • Not have been in residential or court-ordered treatment for alcoholism, alcohol detoxification, or drug treatment within the last 5 years

Submit a completed Concealed Carry License application

Successfully complete 16 hours of firearms training, including classroom and range instruction.

A “Concealed firearm” is defined as a handgun.

“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, paintball 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 fewer than 700 feet per second, or which expels breakable paint balls containing washable marking colors.

Public Storage is intended to cover instances where applicants are asked or have a need to store their weapon in a private business. For example, storage in a locker at the gym or in a hotel room.

The required 16-hour firearms training course will include range qualification time and shall cover the following:

  • Firearms Safety Instruction – a minimum of two (2) classroom hours;
  • Basic Principles of Marksmanship Instruction – a minimum of three (3) classroom and range hours;
  • Care, Cleaning, Loading, and Unloading of a Concealable Firearm Instruction- a minimum of three (3) classroom hours;

All applicable State and Federal Laws Relating to the Ownership, Storage, Carry and Transportation of a Firearm Instruction- a minimum of four (4) classroom hours; and Weapons Handling – a minimum of four (4) range hours

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.

Approved Instructors. In an effort to give instructors greater discretion regarding the proficiency of their students, this decision will be made by the individual instructors. The Department will provide a list of approved curriculum to assist individual instructors with this decision.

Any remaining hours that the applicant completes must at least cover applicable State and Federal Laws Relating to the Ownership, Storage, Carry and Transportation of a Firearm Instruction as well as Weapons Handling.

10 Questions for intstructors.

BEWARE of the fellow who JUST recently got his credentials to teach. He’s just “cashing in” on the IL Concealed Firearms License frenzy.

If the “instructor” is only certified to teach basic pistol classes it means that he does not have any real commitment to firearms training and is just trying to make a “fast buck”.

This will shock you but many “instructors” are week-end warriors. Their real job is pizza delivery guy, truck driver, package delivery agents, or even religious leaders !!! Don’t believe me ? Just ASK THEM !!!!

BEWARE of the instructor who ripped off his creditors as he will most certainly rip you off too !!!

Many “instructors” have had many “fly by night” businesses that popped up and disappeared as soon as the going got rough.

Most instructors do not have an actual classroom or official place of business !!! They work from their home and rent hotel rooms as needed. So when there’s a problem with your permit they are nowhere to be found !!!

No positive references mean no real past teaching experience. Do you really want to learn life-saving firearms handling from a guy with no real “hands-on” teaching experience or has only trained a few dozen students?

If they have only trained civilian students they cannot have the knowledge or experience that Law Enforcement, Licensed Private, Bodyguards Detectives and Professional Armed Security Agents are taught. They have no experience teaching the use of deadly force.

Not likely, because to do so you must have years of experience, be a dedicated firearms professional and participate in annual firearms instructor continuing education and development.

Most likely the last class they attended was his “ONLY” instructor-level class.

Don’t choose an amateur.
Choose a firearms Professional.
At LAW WEAPONS our instructors are seasoned professionals.

Our executive instructor’s qualifications are:

  • Licensed Private Detective (armed)
  • Instructor for Illinois License Detectives – Security officers
  • NRA Certified Firearms Instructor (Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, PPOTH, PPITH, CRSO)
  • Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor (Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun)
  • Certified Utah Concealed Carry Instructor
  • Federal Firearms Dealer
  • Federal Firearms Importer
  • Federal Firearms Manufacturer
  • Federal Firearms Class 3 NFA License
  • Live-Scan Fingerprint Certified
  • IL Licensed & Registered Firearms Instructor
  • IL Concealed Carry Firearms Instructor
  • Certified Master/Journeymen Gunsmith
  • Advanced Carbine Instructor
  • M4/AR15 Armorer / Manufacturer
  • Certified Glock Armorer
  • Certified Sig Sauer Armorer
  • Certified Ruger Armorer
  • Certified Special Weapons
  • Certified Smith & Wesson Armorer
  • Certified Overt / Covert Surveillance Specialist
  • Certified Bodyguard/Executive Protection Specialist
  • Competition Shooter with the IDPA and USPSA
  • Search & Seizure / Handcuffing Instructor
  • Quick-Clot Combat Gauze Certification
  • First Aid/CPR Certified Instructor by the National Safety Council
  • AED Certified Instructor

ALL of our instructors are certified professionals and supervised by our Executive Instructor.

Sign Up for Gun Discounts | Law Weapons

Most of these discounts are not offered to the public…

SUBSCRIBE