What do I need to purchase a gun in Illinois?

Apply for a FOID Card

The first thing you’re going to need is a Firearm Owner Identification card (FOID) issued by the Illinois state police. A gun store won’t even let you hold a gun without one. There are no prerequisites other than being legally able to own a gun. You should apply for this as soon as possible if you are considering becoming a gun owner, as processing it may take some time.

While the CSRA has no policy on requiring a FOID card, we do require that you legally be able to handle a gun. You do not need a FOID card to attend a range day as long as there is a 1 to 1 ratio of people with FOID card to those people without.

Please see IL Firearm Applicant Portal to apply for a FOID. This is the same portal used to apply for a concealed carry license after taking the required training. On the ISP website you will have to answer a list of questions similar to what you will be asked when you eventually go to purchase a gun.

You’re going to need:

• A valid driver’s license or state ID card with your correct legal name and up-to-date home address.
• You’ll also need a head and shoulders photo of yourself. This picture is just used to match up to your driver’s license as they will reprint that picture on your FOID card.
• $10 fee payable online to submit your application.

The process is not quick and as of mid-2024 wait times for FOID cards were over a month in some cases. In 2021, the waiting times were 6+ months. Submitting your application sooner rather than later is the way to go.

Complete the Purchase Paperwork

Once you have received your FOID in the mail, you’re free to go to your local gun store and purchase your first gun! Alternatively, you can buy a gun online, and have it shipped to a local FFL (a Federal Firearms License holder, who can legally transfer guns).

Once you select the gun you want, you’re going to have to fill out what is usually known as a “4473”, or ATF form 4473, a firearm transaction record that the purchaser of the firearm must fill out at the time of purchase. Samples can be easily googled, but the basic questions are similar to what you answered for the FOID application. Every time you buy a gun you will be required to fill one of these out, and the dealers are required to keep these records for several years.

After you fill out the form 4473, your information will be submitted for a NICS check, which is the national system the FBI uses to make sure you’re able to have a gun. Denials and delays are somewhat common. Simply having a common name is enough for a delay. Having a similar name to a forbidden person is sometimes enough for a denial. Appeals can be filed and should be filed at the earliest opportunity. Generally, if your record is clean, you will pass the NICS check instantly or within a matter of minutes. The state of Illinois, however, requires a 3-day waiting period from when you purchase the gun before you can pick it up. If your NICS check is delayed, you might have to wait longer. I have personally experienced delays of up to 7 days.

Pick Up the Gun

If you’ve managed to jump through all these hoops, the dealer usually will call you to come in and pick up your gun. Just show an ID and usually a receipt, and congrats! You’re now a gun owner.

Buying a gun is simply the first step in becoming a responsible gun owner. You cannot purchase proficiency with money. It takes time, training, and experience, and a commitment to safety. Shooting a gun, especially a handgun, is a perishable skill. Seeking out training rests on you. Train as much as your circumstances allow.

I hope this guide has been helpful, and we can’t wait to see you out on the range!

Thanks,

John