Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Arizona - -(Ammoland.com)- I attended the Gun Rights Policy Conference in Illinois last weekend. After the event, I met another attendee in Wisconsin.
Don Hosmer recalled disarming before entering Illinois, and seeing several others do so as well. As a result, I decided to explore the problems and possibilities of carry in Illinois for a non-resident.
You could apply for, and obtain an Illinois concealed carry permit. They are backed up at present, but it looks like it would be possible, if somewhat difficult. From the Illinois State Police site:
Sec. 40. Non-resident license applications.
(a) For the purposes of this Section, "non-resident" means a person who has not resided within this State for more than 30 days and resides in another state or territory.
(b) The Department shall by rule allow for non-resident license applications from any state or territory of the United States with laws related to firearm ownership, possession, and carrying, that are substantially similar to the requirements to obtain a license under this Act.
It is unclear exactly how "substantially similar" will be interpreted.
If you have not obtained a non-resident Illinois CCW license, you may still carry concealed in your vehicle. Here is the relevant portion of the law:
(e) Nothing in this Act shall prohibit a non-resident from transporting a concealed firearm within his or her vehicle in Illinois, if the concealed firearm remains within his or her vehicle and the non-resident:
(1) is not prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm under federal law;
(2) is eligible to carry a firearm in public under the laws of his or her state or territory of residence, as evidenced by the possession of a concealed carry license or permit issued by his or her state of residence, if applicable; and
(3) is not in possession of a license under this Act.
If the non-resident leaves his or 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 this Act.
(Source: P.A. 98-63, eff. 7-9-13; 98-600, eff. 12-6-13.)
Don talked with Massad Ayoob and others at the conference and found the act on the Illinois State Police web site. It is worth noting that under the frequently asked questions (faq), the site is a bit misleading:
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. Persons who carry firearms without a Concealed Carry License issued by the ISP are subject to arrest.
That is not strictly true. If you can carry in your home state, and are in your vehicle, you can carry concealed, as stated above under section (e). if an officer asks you if you are armed, you have to tell them:
(h) If an officer of a law enforcement agency initiates an investigative stop, including but not limited to a traffic stop, of a licensee or a non-resident carrying a concealed firearm under subsection (e) of Section 40 of this Act, upon the request of the officer the licensee or non-resident shall disclose to the officer that he or she is in possession of a concealed firearm under this Act, present the license upon the request of the officer if he or she is a licensee or present upon the request. . . .
http://www.ammoland.com/2014/10/non-resident-carry-in-illinois/#axzz3FBAbNPJf