Travel through Illinois with a rifle in the trunk?

[StephenT]

Hi all,

For Thanksgiving, I'll be driving from Houston to Milwaukee and was planning to bring along my Kel Tec Sub-2000 since I don't like to travel without the added "insurance policy". Driving through states like AR and MO should be fine, but then I hit the People's Republic of Illinois. I've checked packing.org and Illinois seems to have a clause exempting non-residents from the FOID requirement if they are simply driving through the state. Will I be Ok if I keep the Sub-2000 unloaded in the trunk? Does it have to be in a locked box? Also, with the slow 65MPH speed limit in Illinois, how bad are the speedtraps along I-57?

 

[Jeff White]

Stephen,
Put your unloaded Sub-2000 in a case, either a hard or soft case, put it in the trunk and don't worry about it. I am a police officer here in Illinois. In fact you'll be driving within about 3 miles of my house.

Only Illinois residents have to have a FOID card. I'm sending you a PM.

Jeff

 

[DonP]

What Jeff said

Unloaded, encased, in the trunk and inaccessible, doesn't have to be locked. If you can, put the ammo in a separate case

... and don't drive through Carbondale, IL.

Based on the latest version of state laws it is illegal to carry a gun in your vehicle in Carbondale, under any conditions.

Wave as you get near the Route 30 (Lincoln Highway) I-57 exit. I'm right down the road in free Will County.

Have a safe trip.

 

[StephenT]

Thanks, it looks like I'm good to go then. What's up with Carbondale, though? It's in southern IL and I thought all the towns with the gun restrictions were around Chicago....

 

[Jeff White]

Carbondale is a college town. Southern Illinois University is located there. The school used to make Playboy magazine's top 10 party school list all the time. They have to send all of the kids home during Fall break at Halloween to keep the party from turning into a riot.

There were some pretty violent antiwar demonstrations there during the Vietnam era and I think the law dates back to those days.

I'm not sure it's ever been enforced as I know several people who live there who are hunters and shooters who aren't even aware of the law's existance.

You'll pass within about 15 miles of Carbondale. It's just West of Marion off exits 53 and 54.

Jeff

 

[Aguila Blanca]

He might get busted by Carbondale but it wouldn't stick. Travel from Houston through Illinois to Milwaukee is protected by the Firearms Owners Protection Act. Wouldn't hurt to do a search, as the text has been cited here previously, print it out, and carry a few copies with you.

Unloaded, in the trunk, and you're good to go.