Can you conceal carry a gun in your car in Illinois?

Last updated September 15, 2021 .

Índice Show

• MEDIA REQUESTS
• Laws on Carrying a Gun in a Car in Illinois
• Arrested for Having My Gun in the Vehicle
• Call a Criminal Defense Lawyer for Legal Guidance
• Can I carry my gun in my glove compartment in Illinois?
• Can I drive through Illinois with concealed carry?
• Where in Illinois can you not conceal carry?
• Can I carry a gun in my pocket in Illinois?

Illinois generally prohibits a person from knowingly carrying or possessing a firearm in any vehicle except in the person’s own home, land, fixed place of business, or as an invitee on the land or in the legal dwelling of another person as an invitee with that person’s permission.1 The statute does not apply, however, to the transportation of firearms that are:

1. broken down in a non-functioning state;
2. not immediately accessible; or
3. unloaded and enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container by a person with a currently valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card.2

Under Illinois’ Concealed Firearm Carry Act, enacted in 2013, a person who is issued a valid concealed carry license is permitted to keep or carry a loaded or unloaded concealed firearm on or about his or her person within a vehicle.3 While the owner of private real property of any type may prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms on the property under his or her control, state law allows a person to 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 of the owner’s property and other areas where the carrying of firearms is prohibited.4

MEDIA REQUESTS

Our experts can speak to the full spectrum of gun violence prevention issues. Have a question? Email us at .

Contact

1. 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/24-1(a)(4).[↩]
2. Id. In People v. Diggins, 919 N.E.2d 327 (Ill. 2009), the Supreme Court of Illinois reviewed whether the center console of a vehicle was a “case” for the purposes of the lawful containment of a firearm in a vehicle, within the meaning of 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/24-1.6(a)(1), which imposes an additional penalty for publicly carrying a firearm if it is uncased. The court found nothing in the overall statutory scheme to suggest that the legislature intended for the various types of receptacles to be firearm specific, and concluded that the center console of the vehicle fell within the ordinary definition of a “case.”[↩]
3. 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. 66/10(c)(2).[↩]
4. 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 66/65(b).[↩]

You can have your gun in the car in Illinois, but only under certain conditions.

As with any other weapon, a gun can be disastrous and deadly if handled carelessly. This is why federal and state governments have enacted laws to govern gun ownership, possession, and transportation.

Being on the wrong side of these laws can get you into unimaginable trouble, including a possible jail or prison sentence. Chicago Trust AttorneysⓇ knows how easy it is to get arrested for a crime you didn’t even know you were committing.

What do Illinois statutes say about having your gun in the vehicle?

Laws on Carrying a Gun in a Car in Illinois

Whether you’re a state resident, visiting, or simply passing through, it’s crucial to understand what the law says about keeping a gun in the vehicle.
Illinois technically allows you to carry a gun in the car under particular individual circumstances. Remember, on all the occasions below, you’ll need a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card on you. Non-residents don’t require a card but will need proof of legal ownership in their state.

• The Gun Is Not Immediately Accessible – The weapon is out of reach, such as in the trunk of your car. If it’s not immediately accessible but still easy to reach, such as the passenger compartment. Ensure it’s unloaded.
• The Gun Is Unloaded and Concealed in a Case – If the weapon is easy to reach, including a closed glove box, it must be unloaded and enclosed in a case, shipping container, box, or something similar.
• The Gun Is Disassembled and Not in a Functioning State – The only other way to ride with a gun in your vehicle is if it is disassembled so that it’s non-functioning.

Arrested for Having My Gun in the Vehicle

Gun laws in Illinois are very strict because one of their roles is to keep the general population safe. If arrested for carrying a weapon illegally, you might be facing a felony or misdemeanor, depending on factors like whether you have a permit or were in a prohibited area.

The first step to fighting these charges is learning the law on carrying guns and then gathering evidence to defend yourself in court. If this sounds complex, it’s because it can be challenging for an offender to navigate such cases without sufficient legal support.

Take advantage of the free case reviews offered by criminal defense lawyers to discuss your charges and the best way to avoid a conviction.

Call a Criminal Defense Lawyer for Legal Guidance

Unfortunately, even the most law-abiding citizen can find themselves in trouble when it comes to weapon possession and transportation. This is because gun laws aren’t always the easiest thing to make sense of.

If you’ve been arrested for a gun-related crime, you need to understand the charges and options from a legal professional. Speak with Chicago Trusted AttorneysⓇ by calling 312-931-5411 or by filling out the contact form below to start working on your case as soon as possible.

Can I carry my gun in my glove compartment in Illinois?

Can I drive through Illinois with concealed carry?

Where in Illinois can you not conceal carry?

Can I carry a gun in my pocket in Illinois?