Illinois Regulations
Legal Handgun Equipment and Restrictions
Centerfire handguns of .30 caliber or larger with a minimum barrel length of 4 inches, and single-shot muzzleloading handguns (black-powder handguns that are incapable of being loaded from the breech end) of .50 caliber or larger capable of producing at least 500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle according to published ballistic tables from the manufacturer. Semi-automatic handguns, or handguns altered to allow for shoulder firing, are not permitted. Centerfire handgun ammunition must be .30 caliber or larger, with a case length not to exceed 1.4 inches, and available as a factory load with the published ballistic tables of the manufacturer showing a capability of at least 500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. Single-shot muzzleloading handguns must use a projectile of .44 caliber or larger with sufficient black powder or "blackpowder substitute" (such as Pyrodex) to produce at least 500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. Modern smokeless powders (nitrocellulose based) do not qualify as a "black powder substitute." Non-expanding military-style full metal jacket bullets cannot be used to harvest white-tailed deer; only soft-point or expanding bullets (including copper/copper alloy rounds designed for hunting) are legal ammunition.