Road Trip: Gun Crossing State Lines FL to IL

[jbh13]

In Summary, I am driving from Florida to Illinois for the Holidays. I am a Florida Resident and CCW. The states I will be traveling through (GA,TN, KY, IN and IL) all but the exception of IL honor the FL CCW (that's my understanding, please tell me if I'm wrong).

My question, what do I do when I reach Illinois?
- I'm not going to CCW in IL
- Handgun is not high capacity, only 7 rounds

Do I not go armed at all? Break the gun down at IL state lines and lock up the pieces?

 

[henschman]

Just remember these words: "I do not consent to a search." And don't do anything stupid that would get you pulled over.

 

[A.H. Fox]

Without citing Il law. Separate you ammo from the gun. Place both in separate locked containers while in your vehicle. Il law is about as anti-gun as you can get. I am just 45 miles from Il and every MO resident I know that carries a gun will avoid IL. I drive an hour and half out of my way to avoid going to Fl from MO. When you get to your destination in IL make sure you KNOW the law for IL and the local laws.

Have a safe trip.

 

[mstrat]

Firearm should be unloaded and in a case designed for firearms. There are two laws that dictate the "case" - the criminal code (which just says case or container), and the Wildlife code which is more specific and strict and requires a case designed specifically for firearms. So everyone follows the stricter of the two just to avoid hassle.

A.H.Fox is mistaken:
Ammunition does not have to be in a separate case, just make sure the firearm is unloaded.
And the containers do not need to be locked.

Though not necessary, if you can it's a good idea to bring your CCW license, or other proof that you are eligible to own a firearm in your state.

I don't know why, but the ISP says out-of-state residents are advised to keep the firearm "not immediately accessible" (i.e. in a trunk, or otherwise out of reach). However, this is NOT required for residents so I do not know why they say it.

Here's the Illinois State Police brochure about transporting firearms in IL:
http://isp.state.il.us/docs/1-154.pdf

 

[mstrat]

By the way, let me take the opportunity to encourage you and everyone to sign the following petition supporting Right to Carry in Illiois, and share this site with anyone and everyone.

http://ProtectIllinois.org/petition

 

[jbh13]

IF A nOn-resIdenT Is COmIng TO ILLInOIs
TO hunT And WOuLd LIke TO brIng
TheIr FIreArm, hOW dO TheY LegALLY TrAnspOrT IT?
Non-residents must be legally eligible to possess
or acquire firearms and ammunition in their state of
residence. It is recommended that in order to be in
compliance with all statutes, non-residents transport
all firearms:
1. Unloaded, and
2. Enclosed in a case, and
3. Not immediately accessible or broken down in a
nonfunctioning state.

Would this be my case eventhough it is not for hunting and I don't have a FOid card?

 

[mstrat]

Do I need a FOID card?

No. ISP doesn't even issue FOID cards to non-residents (there's currently a legal challenge to this though).

That's why if you have one, it might be a good idea to bring a CCW license in the event you get stopped by an LEO. Might save some wasted time making calls or whatnot. But I'm just speculating.

The only real requirement is that you be eligible to own and possess in your own state. Take a look at that PDF brochure from the ISP (big disclaimer that I'm not a lawyer, or LEO - just a resident).

 

[jbh13]

Yes, understood. I always carry my CCW.

Just trying to keep my family safe.

Thank you for the help.

 

[mstrat]

I don't know why, but the ISP says out-of-state residents are advised to keep the firearm "not immediately accessible" (i.e. in a trunk, or otherwise out of reach). However, this is NOT required for residents so I do not know why they say it.

Let me amend this comment: While it's not state law that the firearm case be "not immediately accessible", there is the possibility that counties (cough*Cook*cough*) or cities (*cough*Chicago*cough*) can enact harsher restrictions.

If you're going to travel through Chicago, it's probably a good idea to keep the case out of reach (e.g. in your trunk).

 

[wrs840]

I am driving from Florida to Illinois for the Holidays...

http://apps.carryconcealed.net/packngo/


.

 

[kingpin008]

just make sure the firearm is unloaded.

This might seem like sweating the details, but in some states it matters - what's the law in IL in regards to a gun being "unloaded"? In some states, even a loaded mag in close proximity to a handgun constitutes a "loaded" gun, so it's worth finding out exactly what IL requires.

 

[mstrat]

This might seem like sweating the details, but in some states it matters - what's the law in IL in regards to a gun being "unloaded"? In some states, even a loaded mag in close proximity to a handgun constitutes a "loaded" gun, so it's worth finding out exactly what IL requires.

No, that's a perfectly valid concern - especially if you're passing through a gun-grabbing locale with LEOs just itching to get a gun "bust", valid or not (*cough*Chicago*cough* - note that most of the state is sane).

I have actually tried to get this question answered - through research, contact with the ISP, etc... And the short answer is there is no answer in state law or within any local ordinances (that I'm aware of). The only legal definition for "unloaded" in IL state law is in the Wildlife code, and applies to muzzleloaders.

Those who want to be extra safe might make sure there are no rounds in magazines or clips. Personally, I keep a loaded magazine in the case next to the firearm.

 

[Blackbeard]

This question gets asked a lot on this forum, but since you're new I won't lecture you on using the search feature. Much.

When you get to the IL border, do the following:

1. Unload your carry piece.
2. Put it in a case.
3. Put the case in the trunk or out of reach.
4. Continue driving.

If your destination is Chicago, I recommend leaving it at home.

 

[Onmilo]

We also have castle rule here.
If you are a legal gun owner, there is nothing preventing you from keeping a loaded gun on or about your person while staying in a hotel or motel room.
You can't go packing it while on a trip to the ice machine, but while in the room, load it up.

ETA, castle rule only applies outside of Chicago city limits unless that actually changed which I believe it hasn't.
May God and God alone help you if you choose to stay in ****cagoland.

 

[Ramman911]

WRS840 Thanks for this link. It is an AWESOME tool to have!

http://apps.carryconcealed.net/packngo/

 

[22-rimfire]

If it were me, I'd carry as you normally do until the IL state line visitor center. There I would place the gun unloaded in a case and place it in the trunk or out of reach. Yes, I know you are then technically inside IL at the visitor center.

 

[Paints]

If your destination is Chicago, I recommend leaving it at home.

I believe the OP said that he wanted to keep his family safe. In that case, I recommend that he leave the family at home

 

[ColdDeadHand]

It's not when you reach Ill. it's before you cross the state line.

Separate the weapons and ammo. Lock them in different cases. Then lock them in your trunk. If it would be even remotely possible for you to locate, load and use them to defend your life from a pack of wolves, the state of Ill. will have a problem with you.

Save yourself the hassle: take the trip, but skip the part where you enter Ill.
;-)

 

[Blackbeard]

Quote:

If your destination is Chicago, I recommend leaving it at home.

I believe the OP said that he wanted to keep his family safe. In that case, I recommend that he leave the family at home

Believe it or not, your chance of surviving an unarmed visit to Chicago is virtually 100%. You're more likely to be killed in a traffic accident on the highway between Florida and Chicago than by some malfeasance within the city.

Relax and enjoy your trip.

 

[trig1986]

traveling with gun

If you don't get pulled over you have no problems. If you don't have anything on your record such as drug or weapon charges then you probably won't get searched if you get pulled over. Make sure you hide it out of sight, I used to travel from FL to NY with my 2 .45's, one in my center console and one under my seat because you never know what might happen.And yes i've been pulled over whith both of them within reach and loaded 3 times but play it cool and don't get nervous,and have valid DL,Insurance and tags or registration on vehicle. sometimes they ask if you have weapons or drugs to see how you react.

 

[Paulgibs]

Chicago's Gun Ban is in Serious Trouble

This may be off topic for travel during the holidays, but Chicago's restrictions on gun ownership have been rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has remanded the case to the lower courts with instructions as to how to proceed. For a brief Reuters description of the decision, here's a link.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65R35920100628

For those interested, it's worth the time to read the whole decision, including an impeccably reasoned concurrence by Justice Thomas. In his concurrence, Justice Thomas recounts the plight of black Americans following the Civil War, which he refers to as the War Over Slavery. He reminds the court that gun ownership was often the only way freed slaves could defend their families against mob violence.

Justice Thomas concludes his concurrence by declaring that the right to keep and bear arms is included in the "minimum baseline of federal rights that the Privileges or Immunities clause established in the wake of the War Over Slavery."