Concealed carry of firearms, but the restrictions are many and the penalties for violating them can be severe. Let’s start with non-residents’ ability to carry concealed in Illinois.
First, nobody can carry concealed in Illinois without a permit. Your home-state CCW permit does NOT allow you any carry rights in Illinois. However, you are given the right to carry your loaded gun in your vehicle, but that is all. The only way a non-resident can carry a gun on or about their person in Illinois is if they go through the licensing process and get a non-resident carry license. The fee for this is my varies from 60$ – 200$ and you will have to go through 8 to 16 hours of training as well.
So how can you legally have your loaded gun in your car? The gun must be out of sight and secured in a “container.” The Illinois High Court has dominated that this includes a glove box or center console, as opposed to just firearms cases. If you leave the vehicle, the gun must stay secured in the container and the vehicle must be locked.
Non-Residents:
For non-residents who get a license, as well as residents, there are over 20 “Prohibited Areas” where you are not allowed to carry, though the loaded gun may legally remain in your vehicle in the parking lots of these areas.
- What are the Prohibited Areas? They include:
- Schools
- Pre-schools/childcare facilities
- Courts
- Colleges/Universities
- State and local government buildings
- Hospitals/nursing homes
- Jails/prisons
- Bars (any establishment whose primary source of revenue is alcohol)
- Playgrounds
- Public gatherings that require a permit
- Public parks
- Zoos / Museums / Amusement parks
- Airports
- Gambling venues
- Stadiums / Arenas
- Libraries
- Nuclear Facilities
- The Cook County woodland keep District
This is in addition to the ban on concealed firearms in federal buildings or anywhere else that federal law prohibits firearms.In addition to the areas listed above, any private property/business owner may choose to post a sign prohibiting the carrying of concealed firearms on their premises.
The penalty for carrying in a prohibited area is a Class B misdemeanor (though federal charges could also apply for the nuclear facility and federal buildings). A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by up to 6 months in jail.Without an Illinois License to Carry, Illinois residents may only transport their firearms in their vehicles if they meet one of the following criteria:
- The gun ought to be ‘now not immediately accessible’
- The gun must be broken down into a non-functioning state
- The gun must be unloaded and enclosed in a container
Once an Illinois resident has obtained the Illinois License to carry, they may then transport the gun with them in their vehicle loaded, provided it is out of sight. If they leave the gun in the vehicle, it must be enclosed in a container and the vehicle must be locked.
UNDERSTAND HANDGUN LAWS & REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR STATE & JURISDICTION
You must know for your state or jurisdiction legally (and morally) when you can and cannot shoot, when you can use lethal force, where you can and cannot carry concealed, if brandishing and printing are permissible and/or appropriate, if you are required to show your CC license/permit when stopped routinely by a police officer, how to recognize disparate force factors, what are the details of your area’s Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine laws, what are your state’s reciprocity states, how to describe to the police if there is a shooting, and what to do after a shooting, etc. A lot to recognize, so regularly are looking for our modern handgun legal guidelines and requirements for your state and jurisdiction from a competent source.
CARRY REGULARLY- NOT OCCASIONALLY
There are many reasons for someone not to carry their gun daily, after they took the time, effort, and expense to get a concealed carry license/permit. Why do some not carry all the time and only sporadically every now and then? We should carry all the time, if we are legally-licensed to do so. I recently had some out-of-state students from states where they can’t get a permit to carry or it takes 1-2 years to do so. They wanted an out-of-state permit for when they travel and they recognize the importance of carrying all the time. Some don’t carry because there is a chance of legal problems when they transport their guns to certain places or when they travel in different states. Most of them live where they can carry, but work in another state where they can’t. But by far the reason for not carrying daily for some is to carry only when they are exposed to a high-threat level or feel endangered, even though we should avoid dangerous places, people, and situations. Today, any place and any situation has the potential to escalate and be dangerous, including schools, malls, churches, birthday parties, all neighborhoods, etc. Another reason I hear frequently is that it is uncomfortable to take gun. The holster is rubbing my side; the gun doesn’t fit right in the holster; the gun won’t fit and conceal properly under my t-shirt or with shorts; the belt won’t support it well enough; my tummy roll is a problem;
DO NOT FREQUENTLY CHECK OR ADJUST YOUR GUN
When I started carrying concealed, I was very conscious about where my gun was riding, if my shirt was Nicely protecting it, if my pants had been too tight to show the gun’s define, if my fat paunch accented my gun, etc. Then, I frequently kept adjusting, touching, and checking it. I would touch it through my shirt to see if it was properly positioned and still there. I might frequently pass it around out of addiction. After some time, I realized that I was actually drawing more attention to myself and my concealed gun. I looked suspicious there when I constantly tugged and adjusted my shirt. So, I calmed down, relaxed, did not touch and adjust my gun, and really completed the worth of an honest holster, belt, cover garment, and proper clothing. With my horizontally-challenged build, I may not wear tight garments and form-fitting, light-colored smaller t-shirts, pants, and sweaters. So for this I had to buy more pants of larger size for in-the-waistband carry, accept a somewhat baggy appearance, and had to wear dark clothes. I got use to it and accepted that most would not even see my concealed gun and were not even looking for it.
USE A PROPER HOLSTER
It is important to use a quality-made holster from a reputable manufacturer that is designed specifically for your carry gun. Yes, you can keep your gun in a nylon holster when it’s in the range bag, but use a quality, custom-fit holster for your carry gun. A holster made for your gun model will usually allow you to draw and secure your gun better, as well as help to make it more concealable and accessible. A customized holster for your specific gun model will completely cover and protect the trigger from contact with outside objects, along with trigger finger. A properly-designed holster made specifically for your gun will retain the gun until you intentionally draw it. Do not expect a $10. Holster on sale for $5. to provide a reliable and comfortable carry solution for your $700 carry handgun. A very rough rule of thumb is to expect to spend about 10-15 percent of the cost of your handgun to buy a reliable, safe & comfortable, and effective holster.
Proper Inside-the-Waistband (IWB) holsters are usually more concealable, but also may be less comfortable. But they may also require a trouser and belt size adjustment to compensate for the added bulk. An Outside-the-Waistband (OWB) holster is usually more easy, But also more difficult to conceal. You can make your carry gun very concealable, but sometimes at the cost of a much slower access and draw. Or you can have a faster get right of entry to and draw, but with less conceal ability, giving up a major tactical advantage. A very personal decision.
USE A PROPER GUN BELT
Needless to say, a gun belt is extremely important to support your handgun. Some believe even more so than a holster. Others say at least as important as the holster. In any event, a gun belt is a “must-have” accessory for your handgun rig. You need the support for your gun and accuracy that you can count on. A rigid high-quality full-grain bull hide leather gun belt will help minimize the point of your gun, be strong for long-lasting durability, help distribute weight, and add to comfort. A leather belt that has been reinforced with an inner layer of kydex will be rigid and help it from deforming. Price is usually an indicator of quality, so spend the money to get a good gun belt, rather than the $15.
A leather belt that has been reinforced with an inner layer of Kydex will be rigid and help it from deforming. Price is usually an indicator of quality, so spend the money to get a good gun belt, rather than the $15.
