Illinois Travel

[Mr. Clean]

Just looking for some input about traveling to the non-CCW-friendly state of Illinois. I'm driving from Florida and am concerned with what protocol I need to follow once I cross into the Land of Lincoln. I know I can't cary but even transporting can be of concern.

Thanks in advance.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[cmidkiff]

Guns in locked container in trunk (or rear of SUV/Wagon type vehicle)
Ammo in seperate locked container, also in trunk.

I'm not a lawyer, and it's quite possible that I'm wrong on this, but I don't think so. Unfortunatly, I have to travel through IL fairly often, and this is the method that I use.

[dr_cmg]

Here are some good resourses. Federal law mandates that a person has the right to transport firearms from a place where it is legal for them to possess it to another place where it is legal for them to possess it even if they go through places where it is not legal for them to possess it. Several of the links of the following page provide detailed information on how to do it.

http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/Default.aspx

[KC135]

According to my sources, the above is best procedure.

Do not even think about flying into or out of O'hara with guns. I would not even fly a thru flight that made a Chicago stop with checked guns.

PS, the people in Chicage and O'Hara could care less about federal laws.

Same with many young LEOs in the northeastern part of the state.

[ShowMeState1977]

Drive AROUND The People's Republik of Ill-Annoy!

[Woody]

They are more than just non-ccw friendly, they are gun unfriendly period. Steer clear if possible, otherwise lock them up in the trunk and drive the speed limit. Unfortunatley i have to drive through there a couple times a year.

[Doc Holliday]

You might want to print out a copy of the federal law that states you can legally transport in unloaded in a locked case in the trunk. Not saying that will keep police harassment at bay but it might look like you were really trying to follow the letter of the law which you will be doing. Another thought is to disasemble the gun right prior to state lines. This may look "better" to the officer. Just remove the slide from the frame and keep everything else intact. Lock it in the box while transporting through ILLI-Nazi. Once you reach a gun friendly state, reassemble, reload and go about your merry way.

ILLINOIS--A nonresident is permitted to transport a firearm provided it is unloaded, enclosed in a case, and not easily accessible. A nonresident may possess a firearm for licensed hunting, or at a Department of Law Enforcement recognized target shooting range or gun show.

The City of Chicago requires all firearms possessed in the city to be registered. Handguns not previously registered in Chicago cannot be registered. Oak Park, Evanston, Morton Grove, Highland Park, Wilmette, and Winnetka prohibit the possession of a handgun. Firearms may be transported under the general rule through Chicago for a lawful recreational firearm-related activity.

[Anubis]

I myself passed through IL recently in a van (tripping to MI where I can carry). I locked the unloaded pistols in a case and placed it in the rear.

I drove the length of NE also. It is said that NE is an open-carry state so one could have a naked pistol on the console or dash and be legal. I didn't want to be the test-case poster boy for open carry there, so I did the same in NE as in IL.

[Mr. Clean]

Well driving around the state isn't an option since I have to visit a family member in north central IL. Since I'll be traveling in my Ram 2500 Quad Cab, would you think that storing it under the back passanger seat (cased and locked) be OK?

[Anubis]

would you think that storing it under the back passanger seat (cased and locked) be OK?

Yes. That was my method. My principal means of avoiding police attention, of course, is to travel at the speed limit and drive right.

Besides the firearm laws, the highway situation is another bizarre thing about IL. Those in charge of IL highways seem to think 65 is fast enough for an Interstate highway, and a 40-minute 2-mph crawl on eastbound I-80 to merge with I-94 is just fine. NE is much better; although it's too wide, at least you can do 75 there.

[AutoFan]

As a previous resident of the People's Socialist Republic of Illinois, the proper way to transport guns is unloaded and secured such that they are not accessable by any of the occupants of the vehicle.

If it weren't for dictator-for-life Daley Jr's Chicago and his lackey Blago, the state would be pro-gun.