what do you need to purchase a handgun in illinois?

Question

I just moved to Illinois and I wanted to buy a small handgun for protection. I know a lot of people whose homes have been robbed where I moved to and I'm alone in a basement with LOTS of high priced valuables. Do I need to take a class(if not where can I find a gun safety class, I would like to take one)? Get a permit? Be a certain age? I'm only 19, but if I live on my own isn't it my constitutional right to protect myself. also what type of handgun would you suggest for the begginner?

Answer 1

What you need is a valid DL or ID card and bring your social security card incase they ask for 2 forms of Id.And no Felonies on your record and you have to be 21 to buy a hand gun Im almost sure that is a federal law,but you only have to be 18 to buy a rifle or shotgun I would recomend for home protection a shotgun I'd rather have a shotgun any day over a pistol for homedefense go out and spend 200 to 250 and buy your self a Mossberg model 500 crusier 12 gauge that holds 6 shots.And then go to a shooting range and practice.when you do turn 21 and you still want a hand gun , go and buy a good 22 pistol Walther makes one called the P22 the reason I recomend this is a 22 is cheap and easy to shoot after you master the 22 then you get yourself somthing good like a Glock 9mm or 40S&W .You should also look into buying a good safe and have it bolted to the ground.Oh and you dont have to take a class and you need no permit unless you want to go hunting or want to carry your weapon consealed.

Answer 2

If your under 21 you wont be able to buy a handgun. It may also depend on what town you live in. Some towns in Illinois have ordinances against firearms. Most cities can have laws more stringent than the State but not less stringent.

If you were 21, you would need to get an application for a Firearms Owner ID card ( FOID) you can generally get these are gun shops or even at Police departments.. The application is not complicated and costs around $5.00 last I checked.. It will take 2-3 months to get this card back. It will not allow you to carry the gun other than inside or on your own property.

Training isn't required but I would suggest it especially if you are not real familiar with handguns.. Personally, if you are new to handguns, I would stick with a revolver. Easy to learn and has a number of advantages over a semi-automatic handgun.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I live in Illinois and own several guns. Here are the laws. To own any gun, you have to have your FOID card. To get it, you fill out a bunch of papers and attach a little photo and send it off to the state police and they will send you back your FOID card. You also have to be 21 to own or buy a handgun, so you can forget it for two years. If you wish to ever hunt, you might have to take a hunter safety course unless you were born before 1980( I think that is the year can somebody back be up on that?), which isnt only about hunting and i think anyone who gets a gun should take it. It is about responsibility with a gun. Give me an e-mail and ill see if i can help you a little more. By the way, you can get a shotgun or rifle at 18, and shotguns are good for home defense. There is no concealed carry permit in Illinois, its illegal no matter what.

Answer 4

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RE:
what do you need to purchase a handgun in illinois?
I just moved to Illinois and I wanted to buy a small handgun for protection. I know a lot of people whose homes have been robbed where I moved to and I'm alone in a basement with LOTS of high priced valuables. Do I need to take a class(if not where can I find a gun safety class, I would like to...

Answer 5

You don't need a permit but you will have to fill out and send in a FOID application. It will be a $5 charge and you'll have to send in a small picture of yourself with the form. I don't remember exactly how long it took to get it back, but once you have it you can walk into the gun shop, pick out the gun in the caliber and price range you want. There will be a waiting period (three days when I bought mine) and then you can have it. Oh wait your 19 scratch that and wait two years. You can still take a class and get a shotgun.

As for which caliber or make to suggest, that's a lot trickier. Personally if its only for personal defense in the home get a 12ga. shotgun, nothing is more effective at close range than that. For a pistol I wouldn't suggest anything smaller than a .40 calliber. I have a .45 but that large of a calliber can lead to bad shooting habits if your not ready for that amount of kick. Some ranges will let you rent a gun for a small fee, so go shoot a couple different calibers and makes before you just buy something.

Here is a link for NRA shooting safety classes you can pick out somewhere close to you. If not ask at the gun store where you could take a course.

http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/find.asp?State=IL&Type=

Answer 6

In Illinois you must be 21 for handguns and 18 for rifles.To purchase either you need no classes or training.. but you must apply for a FOID card. You can download the application here:
http://www.isp.state.il.us/media/docdetails.cfm?DocID=38
After you fill it out you must include a picture and a $5 dollar check or money order and in 30-60 days you'll have your card assuming your record is clean.

Well since you cant own a hand gun here legally yet I recommend getting an ar-15 or ak-47 clone.

Answer 7

Buying A Gun In Illinois

Answer 8

You need a FOID Card...
What is a FOID card?
The FOID card was created in 1968, by the FOID Act, as a way to identify those persons eligible to possess and acquire firearms and firearm ammunition as part of a public safety initiative in the State of Illinois.

Who needs a FOID card?
Unless specifically exempted by statute, any Illinois resident who acquires or possesses firearm or firearm ammunition within the State must have in their possession a valid Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) card issued in his or her name..
Where can I obtain a FOID application?

A FOID application can be downloaded from the Illinois State Police website at www.isp.state.il.us or applications may be obtained at most retail stores where firearms are sold.
Why was the FOID application revised?
In 2001 and 2002, the legislature amended the requirements for FOID applications. In order to reflect these changes, the FOID application was revised.

How much does it cost to apply for a FOID card?
As stated on the FOID application, the FOID processing fee is $5.00 and is non-refundable.

With recent changes to the FOID application, what new information am I required to provide?
Each applicant for a FOID card who is over the age of 18 shall furnish to the Department of State Police either his or her Illinois driver's license number or Illinois Identification Card number.

I have applied for a FOID card, when should I expect to receive it?
The Department of State Police shall either approve or deny all applications within 30 days from the date the applications are received.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

You don't need training, just a special license and a gun. Yeah America rocks. Get something that is small and easy to use like a glock or a bretetta. Try asking a police station where to find gun saftey and rights.