Traveling to Illinois and need some clarification.

I have been to Handgunlaw.us and I have done some searching through other threads. However, and maybe because it makes absolutely no sense, I need a little clarification about Illinois law. I am PCSing to Georgia, but plan to travel to see family in different states en route. One stop is Belleville, IL. I obviously do not have a FOID, and I understand you do not need one to travel through the state. What about if I travel to my destination and the secure my firearm in the house until I leave? Of course it will stay unloaded and unlocked in the car while in the state.

I think I know the answer, but any clarification is appreciated.

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Originally Posted by TangoMonkey

I have been to Handgunlaw.us and I have done some searching through other threads. However, and maybe because it makes absolutely no sense, I need a little clarification about Illinois law. I am PCSing to Georgia, but plan to travel to see family in different states en route. One stop is Belleville, IL. I obviously do not have a FOID, and I understand you do not need one to travel through the state. What about if I travel to my destination and the secure my firearm in the house until I leave? Of course it will stay unloaded and unlocked in the car while in the state.

I think I know the answer, but any clarification is appreciated.

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As far as I remember, you should be fine keeping it unloaded and separate from the ammo. As in not the same case as the gun type separated.

As an out of state resident "in transit" you won't need a FOID. Keep a printed set of your PCS orders with too. This just reinforces your transit status.

As a non-resident (not me any more) I've been able to purchase ammunition and range time w/ my TXDL.

In addition, the locked in case firearm and in separate area, not neccesarily locked ammo, must not be in reach of driver or passenger.

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Originally Posted by TangoMonkey

I have been to Handgunlaw.us and I have done some searching through other threads. However, and maybe because it makes absolutely no sense, I need a little clarification about Illinois law. I am PCSing to Georgia, but plan to travel to see family in different states en route. One stop is Belleville, IL. I obviously do not have a FOID, and I understand you do not need one to travel through the state. What about if I travel to my destination and the secure my firearm in the house until I leave? Of course it will stay unloaded and unlocked in the car while in the state.

I think I know the answer, but any clarification is appreciated.

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Another thing would be to make certain the socialist republic of Ill. doesn't rub off on you while visiting.

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Originally Posted by crabbys44

As far as I remember, you should be fine keeping it unloaded and separate from the ammo. As in not the same case as the gun type separated.

As an out of state resident "in transit" you won't need a FOID. Keep a printed set of your PCS orders with too. This just reinforces your transit status.

As a non-resident (not me any more) I've been able to purchase ammunition and range time w/ my TXDL.

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I'm from St.Louis and I go into IL enough to be pretty familiar. You're right on with your advice.

But to go further, it's suggested you put the firearm in a lock container(car safe, locked canvas bag, etc) and put that in a different compartment(trunk) then the ammo. If you drive a truck one goes in the LOCKED glove box. The other goes under the back seat.

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Originally Posted by mitchellh

I'm from St.Louis and I go into IL enough to be pretty familiar. You're right on with your advice.

But to go further, it's suggested you put the firearm in a lock container(car safe, locked canvas bag, etc) and put that in a different compartment(trunk) then the ammo. If you drive a truck one goes in the LOCKED glove box. The other goes under the back seat.

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Is that legal? I often wondered what to do since I almost always use my pickup on vacations.

Applicable IL law:

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(720 ILCS 5/24‑1) (from Ch. 38, par. 24‑1)
Sec. 24‑1. Unlawful Use of Weapons.
(a) A person commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons when he knowingly:
(1) Sells, manufactures, purchases, possesses or

carries any bludgeon, black‑jack, slung‑shot, sand‑club, sand‑bag, metal knuckles or other knuckle weapon regardless of its composition, throwing star, or any knife, commonly referred to as a switchblade knife, which has a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in the handle of the knife, or a ballistic knife, which is a device that propels a knifelike blade as a projectile by means of a coil spring, elastic material or compressed gas; or
(2) Carries or possesses with intent to use the same

unlawfully against another, a dagger, dirk, billy, dangerous knife, razor, stiletto, broken bottle or other piece of glass, stun gun or taser or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument of like character; or
(3) Carries on or about his person or in any vehicle,

a tear gas gun projector or bomb or any object containing noxious liquid gas or substance, other than an object containing a non‑lethal noxious liquid gas or substance designed solely for personal defense carried by a person 18 years of age or older; or
(4) Carries or possesses in any vehicle or concealed

on or about his person except when on his land or in his own abode, legal dwelling, or fixed place of business, or on the land or in the legal dwelling of another person as an invitee with that person's permission, any pistol, revolver, stun gun or taser or other firearm, except that this subsection (a) (4) does not apply to or affect transportation of weapons that meet one of the following conditions:
(i) are broken down in a non‑functioning state; or
(ii) are not immediately accessible; or
(iii) are unloaded and enclosed in a case,

firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container by a person who has been issued a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card; or

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Originally Posted by Tomos

Is that legal? I often wondered what to do since I almost always use my pickup on vacations.

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It's worked for me in the past. However cops are horrible lawyers and it could be that, that cop was happy with the setup.

Thank you guys for the help. I will keep everything separate, and in layers of protection (ie. gun in lockbox in side pack in the very back).

Is IL as must inform state? If it is cleared and lock, must I inform?

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Originally Posted by TangoMonkey

Thank you guys for the help. I will keep everything separate, and in layers of protection (ie. gun in lockbox in side pack in the very back).

Is IL as must inform state? If it is cleared and lock, must I inform?

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I cannot answer with the authority of a judge, cop, or lawyer. But, AFAIK, if an officer asks if there are any weapons in the vehicle, and there are, you should answer yes. Especially if you have any inkling at all that he might ask to look if you answer in the negative. My hope is that if I am asked such a question, it is when I am outside of the vehicle and the vehicle is locked, regardless of the status (unloaded, seperated, etc.) of the weapon. Requiring a warrant to search, maybe.

Additionally, while I don't know about PCS'ing... The federal travelling restrictions with a firearm require a direct route thru the state in which your weapon is "illegal" with no stops, or stops for gas and meals only, perhaps. I am not 100% certain.

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Originally Posted by TangoMonkey

Thank you guys for the help. I will keep everything separate, and in layers of protection (ie. gun in lockbox in side pack in the very back).

Is IL as must inform state? If it is cleared and lock, must I inform?

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"Must inform" is when you are carrying a loaded gun on a permit. Since IL does not have permit carry, it is not a must inform state.

there are only 10 Must Inform states: AK, AR, LA, MI, NC, NE, OH, OK, SC, TX

Maybe IL will become more "travel through" friendly. IL HB 148 - if it becomes law - will allow carry conceal. If they incorporate reasonable reciprocity, some of today's concern's might evaporate. With the Dem Gov. there, however...not sure on HB 148's likelihood of passing.

For now, we'll have to follow current law, as I too have relatives in IL, and have to "strip-down" to comply.

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Originally Posted by mitchellh

I'm from St.Louis and I go into IL enough to be pretty familiar. You're right on with your advice.

But to go further, it's suggested you put the firearm in a lock container(car safe, locked canvas bag, etc) and put that in a different compartment(trunk) then the ammo. If you drive a truck one goes in the LOCKED glove box. The other goes under the back seat.

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Mitchellh speaks truth!

1. A locking glove compartment (unlike my Honda's factory glove box) is one option,
2a. A spot inside the trunk compartment if it is a separate trunk area is another,
2b. A locking container inside the trunk is another.

2a & 2b are nowhere near the driver-though in accordance with the law if I'd read it correctlly.

My son lives in St.Louis and I live in Tennessee. I have to travel through Illinois a lot. To make sure there would be no misunderstandings, I lock up my CCW in the trunk in a COM gunsafe. Ammo is separated from gun. (Although Illinois law does not specifically require this as long as gun is locked up in a secure container) I downloaded the brochure covering transit carry from the Illinois State Police site and laminated it and carry that with my vehicle registration. There is a phone number on the brochure for a local LEO to call if there is any doubts. In Illinois, you are in much better shape quoting Illinois law than quoting Federal Law. Being right but using Federal quote could cost you some travel time! The brochure was designed to alleviate this. I have never had to use it but it is comforting to have.

Save brain damage, go around the state.