Understanding the New Illinois Concealed Carry Law
With the enactment of Illinois’ new concealed carry law on July 9, 2013, there are many questions about when and where you can carry a concealed weapon once you have a license to carry.
The first thing to know is that this is not a “CCW permit” as it is known in other states, but rather a “license to carry.” Obtaining an Illinois transportation license will require more training than any other state in the country, requiring 16 classroom hours.
There are some people who will not need the full 16 hours of training, as active duty military and veterans will be credited with 8 hours. Likewise, those with documented training from recognized organizations/trainers will be credited with up to 8 hours.
However, everyone will have to take at least 8 hours. This eight-hour course covers the law and includes a shooting qualification to ensure you know how to safely handle a gun and hit what you aim at.
With an Illinois carry license, you will be able to carry a concealed weapon in many places, but there are also many prohibited places where carrying it can get you in trouble.
First, you may not carry a concealed weapon into buildings, property, or parking areas of the following locations. However, keep in mind that you CAN leave your gun in your car and you are not breaking the law as long as you do not leave your vehicle with a loaded gun.
1) Primary or secondary school, either public or private
2) Preschool or kindergarten
3) State buildings
4) Court buildings or buildings used for a court proceeding
5) Local government building
6) Jail, prison, juvenile detention/correctional center
7) Hospital, affiliate, mental health facility or nursing home, whether public or private
8) Train, bus or other public transport financed in part/entirely with public funds
9) Bars and any restaurant that serves alcohol that represents more than 50% of its sales
10) Public meeting/event permitted (transfer exception)
11) Special Events Retailer Licensee Location
12) Public playgrounds (passing is not allowed)
13) Public parks (passage is allowed if the path or bike path just passes, but is not entirely within the public park)
14) Cook County Forest Reserves
15) College/University, either public or private – ANY location
16) Off-piste betting parlor, riverboat, or state-authorized gambling venue
17) Stadium, arena or any professional or collegiate sporting event.
18) Public Library
19) Airport
20) Amusement Park
21) Zoo or museum
22) Nuclear Regulatory Commission Facility: You may NOT have a firearm anywhere on your property, not even in your car.
23) Any place prohibited by federal law.
The ability to leave your gun in your car, even in the parking area of a “no-go area” is known as a “safe harbor.” Without this provision, you wouldn’t actually be able to carry concealed items if you were dropping your kids off at school, turning around in a parking lot, etc.
Finally, the “pass-through” provision is very important, because without this you wouldn’t be able to leave your house with your gun if there was a street fair going on on your block, and you wouldn’t be able to bike/walk most places. bike paths, as they pass through parks.
