Mail order ammo sales halted in Illinois (Cook County)

[44Brent]

I recently sent an e-mail to a military surplus retailer to find out why they had halted mail-order ammo sales to residents of Cook County, IL. Here is their response

Recently the State Attorney General in Massachusetts attempted to prosecute an online retailer for selling ammunition to the residents of Massachusetts to the tune of $50,000.00 per offense. It was settle for the sum of $5,000.00 only because the law is not clear about out of state ammunition transfers. (In Massachusetts it is necessary to present a card to purchase ammunition.)

Based on this information other retailers have investigated other places where the law can be interpreted where other State A.G. or local law enforcement can try and prosecute us on this issue. We are also looking into alternative ways where we can sell ammunition to these states and communities but until we have clarification how their laws are to be enforced we will not be selling ammo thus inviting any litigation that could possibly put us out of business.

If you have any information that can help us in this cause, please let us know.

I have been able to purchase ammo from two other mail-order retailers recently, even though I live in Cook County.

 

[NukemJim]

I live in Illinois, though not Cook county ant CDNN will not ship to IL. I tried them 3 or 4 months ago. They said no shipments to ILL at all.

NukemJim

 

[Kingcreek]

probably something to do with that ridiculous FOID card. An IL resident cannot buy ammo unless presenting a current card even tho a non-res can purchase if not restricted by the laws of his state of residence.
I spoke with the director of the FOID division of the State Police (or is it police state?) and he thinks the FOID card system is a wonderful thing. IN place since 1967 IIRC and a bureaucratic mess if there ever was.

 

[dandean316]

I spoke with the director of the FOID division of the State Police (or is it police state?) and he thinks the FOID card system is a wonderful thing.

Yeah that FOID card sure stopped all that crime. Chicago is so safe...

 

[El Tejon]

Memo to self: Open ammo store in Hammond!

 

[Don Gwinn]

A lot of shipping houses won't do business with IL residents. The problem is that most of them don't understand the FOID law and don't want to put in the time to try (or hire a lawyer.) I can't say I really blame them.

I can't speak for Cook County, but in Illinois mail-order is not illegal to my knowledge as long as you fax a copy of your FOID. They have to record the number, but they aren't responsible for checking that you match the picture, etc.


I've got a whole bunch of good FOID stories.

 

[Jeff White]

Believe it or not, when the Instant Check first started in Illinois, the Director of the State Police (don't remember who it was at the time) proposed eliminating the FOID program because Instant Check accomplished the same thing the FOID was supposed to. But with a Republican Governor (Jim Edgar) and a Repulican Senate, the proposal went no-where.

Sportsman's Guide won't ship ammo to Illinois either. If Eric at Ammoman ever stops, I'll be in trouble...Have to drive to Hammond and buy from El-T, man El-Tjon that's a heck of a drive for me, can't you open a branch store in Vincinnes for those of us in the semi free part of the state?

Jeff

 

[44Brent]

I know of two retailers who will ship to Illinois. However, I'm not going to post their names. Lisa Madigan (the AG) can do her own homework on this one, if she wants to run them out of business.

 

[El Tejon]

Jeff, yes, ammo annexes in Lowell, Kentland, Terre Haute, Vincennes, Mount Vernon are in development. We hire only the young & nubile. I do the interviewing myself.