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bobknn

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I could use the collective knowledge of the forum members about the laws regarding legal gun ownership in Chicago.

I live in Florida and have enjoyed the favorable gun ownership laws that we have here in the Sunshine State. Recently my adult daughter was visiting from Chicago and I took her shooting at our local range. It was her first time shooting and she had a great time. Her accuracy and technique left a lot of room for improvement, but she had a respect and understanding for the safety rules.

Now the problem. She would like to become a recreational shooter, buy a hand gun for range use, and not get arrested in Chicago. I know she can't buy a gun in Florida and transport it back to Chicago. How difficult would it be for her to legally buy a hand gun there. She does not want to carry, but would like to own a gun, keep it at her home there, and legally transport it to a range to put some holes in paper zombies. She is highly educated and has never had any legal troubles.

I know the laws there are very anti gun ownership, but I don't know if she will be able to do this.

Does anyone here know (no speculation or guessing) if gun ownership is allowed there? Does any know what procedure she would have to follow to accomplish this? What police agencies or government agencies she would need to contact.

Thank you all in advance for your help.

Considering how many illegal guns there are in that city it's ironic that a law abiding citizen like her should have difficulty buying one legally.

Feedback from Chicago or other Illinois residents would be greatly appreciated.
 
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A law was passed in 2013 which the state preempted all laws regarding handgun ownership, including Chicago. You need an Illinois Firearm Owner's Identification card (FOID), for which you can apply on line. The cost is $35. Chicago dropped all laws regarding firearm licensing and ownership. A few communities, including Chicago ban so-called "assault weapons". The same law that preempted most firearm laws gave communities a 10 day (actually 70 day) opportunity to regulate long guns.

You can also obtain a license to carry loaded firearms. This requires 16 hours of "training", a background check and $150. Including training, fingerprints, etc, the cost is between $400 and $500.

You can legally transport any firearm if you have a FOID card, and the firearm is totally encased and unloaded. The FOID says you are qualified to possess a firearm or ammunition in Illinois, not what you can buy nor how many. There is a federally mandated background check and a 1-3 day waiting period to take possession.

You will need to go to a suburb to purchase a firearm. A 2 year old court order notwithstanding, there are still no gun shops in Chicago. There is no permit (other than the FOID) or licensing of firearms in Illinois.

You could buy a firearm in Florida if you have it shipped to an FFL in Illinois, with prior arrangements.

Of the 30,000+ violent crimes in Chicago this year, about 2 or 3 have involved legally owned firearms.
 
Last edited:
Not to denigrate any of the members here, and their knowledge, but if it was for my daughter, I'd contact the NRA and/or an attorney in Chicago and get legal advice. Again, no offense to members here, but there's no substitute for professional advice when it comes to protecting a family member.
 
bobknn said:
Does anyone here know (no speculation or guessing) if gun ownership is allowed there? Does any know what procedure she would have to follow to accomplish this? What police agencies or government agencies she would need to contact.
Click to expand...

Yes, gun ownership is allowed. As previously mentioned, she will need to obtain an Illinois FOID card from the Illinois State Police. The application process is completely on-line now, no paper applications are accepted. Go to the Illinois State Police website, fill out the on-line application, and pay the $10 fee (not $35).

As Neumann stated, I am not aware of any gun shops/ranges in the city. She will likely need to go to the suburbs to purchase firearms, ammo, and range time.
 
There are several suburban gun stores that can help her apply for the F.O.I.D.. She can take basic handgun classes there (some specific to females) and guide her in a purchase. I would be willing to assist her if so desired.
 
Neumann has posted an accurate summary.....in addition she can purchase a fire arm on line from one of the auction sites and have it delivered to a FFL in her area.....available FFL are listed in the buying section of the on line auction sights.......
 
Neumann said:
A law was passed in 2013 which the state preempted all laws regarding handgun ownership, including Chicago. You need an Illinois Firearm Owner's Identification card (FOID), for which you can apply on line. The cost is $35. Chicago dropped all laws regarding firearm licensing and ownership. A few communities, including Chicago ban so-called "assault weapons". The same law that preempted most firearm laws gave communities a 10 day (actually 70 day) opportunity to regulate long guns.

You can also obtain a license to carry loaded firearms. This requires 16 hours of "training", a background check and $150. Including training, fingerprints, etc, the cost is between $400 and $500.

You can legally transport any firearm if you have a FOID card, and the firearm is totally encased and unloaded. The FOID says you are qualified to possess a firearm or ammunition in Illinois, not what you can buy nor how many. There is a federally mandated background check and a 1-3 day waiting period to take possession.

You will need to go to a suburb to purchase a firearm. A 2 year old court order notwithstanding, there are still no gun shops in Chicago. There is no permit (other than the FOID) or licensing of firearms in Illinois.

You could buy a firearm in Florida if you have it shipped to an FFL in Illinois, with prior arrangements.

Of the 30,000+ violent crimes in Chicago this year, about 2 or 3 have involved legally owned firearms.
Click to expand...

Wow, you my friend are a wealth of knowledge. You answered every question I had in a clear and concise manner. Many thanks to you and all who responded. I will pass along this information to my daughter and let her take it from there.
 
As flat topp stated FOID costs $10 for 10 years, not $35.
No need to get anyone's help to get a FOID. They'll just charge her. She can go on line at the ISP website and apply. Paying someone to help is a ripoff.
 
As a former Illinois resident and former FOID holder, I can tell you that she should first obtain that card as Neumann has indicated. An Illinois gun shop will not even show you a firearm without seeing a valid card.

The other advice that you have gotten is valid. Start with the FOID from a Springfield, then go from there. McDonald v City of Chicago was a landmark case for residents of the city. Except for a few suburbs like Morton Grove and Skokie, obtaining and possessing a firearm in the suburbs is easy. Chicago will require more research for you. I am glad to be out of Illinois.
 
Check with ISP... Word on the street is that the FOID card is going to be superceded with the CCL card next year and one will no longer need to have both cards. BUT like everything in Illinois ya have to go along with the program and see how it works out. If yer not going to carry then I'm assuming the FOID will still be the ticket.

Notice that Illinois does not honor ANY out of state carry licenses.
The system is " rigged " ....
 
Neumann said:
A law was passed in 2013 which the state preempted all laws regarding handgun ownership, including Chicago. You need an Illinois Firearm Owner's Identification card (FOID), for which you can apply on line. The cost is $35. Chicago dropped all laws regarding firearm licensing and ownership. A few communities, including Chicago ban so-called "assault weapons". The same law that preempted most firearm laws gave communities a 10 day (actually 70 day) opportunity to regulate long guns.

You can also obtain a license to carry loaded firearms. This requires 16 hours of "training", a background check and $150. Including training, fingerprints, etc, the cost is between $400 and $500.

You can legally transport any firearm if you have a FOID card, and the firearm is totally encased and unloaded. The FOID says you are qualified to possess a firearm or ammunition in Illinois, not what you can buy nor how many. There is a federally mandated background check and a 1-3 day waiting period to take possession.

You will need to go to a suburb to purchase a firearm. A 2 year old court order notwithstanding, there are still no gun shops in Chicago. There is no permit (other than the FOID) or licensing of firearms in Illinois.

You could buy a firearm in Florida if you have it shipped to an FFL in Illinois, with prior arrangements.

Of the 30,000+ violent crimes in Chicago this year, about 2 or 3 have involved legally owned firearms.
Click to expand...

I used to live in illinois/Chicago and this is all great information and correct.

I dont have much to add...
 
GKC said:
Not to denigrate any of the members here, and their knowledge, but if it was for my daughter, I'd contact the NRA and/or an attorney in Chicago and get legal advice. Again, no offense to members here, but there's no substitute for professional advice when it comes to protecting a family member.
Click to expand...

I agree, but Neumann is correct in his summary. We on the west side of the river have watched developments regarding firearms in the Land of Lincoln very closely the last several years . . .
 
Spin back to the 1950s and Marshall Fields the big department store right on Michigan Ave in downtown Chicago used to have a gun dept. John Amber the noted writer managed it for awhile. Just to show how regressive this State and City have become.
This is a humorous story about the time he acquired a couple of hundred Springfield Trapdoors from a navy base and decided to put them up for sales at $5.00 each. He created a near riot in the store when it opened for business with hundreds of guys there wanting to buy them.
Jim
 
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