Guide for Non Illinois Residents to Obtain the Illinois Concealed Carry Permit

What Does Illinois Law Say About Non-Residents Applying for the Illinois Concealed Carry Permit?

While Illinois does allow non-residents of the state to apply for and receive the Illinois concealed firearm permit, there are some stringent rules in place that regulate the process. Currently “Only residents of states or territories of the United States that have laws related to firearm ownership, possession, and carrying, that are substantially similar to the requirements to obtain a license under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act (of Illinois) are eligible.”
The state of Illinois then essentially only allows residents from certain other states to apply based on the similarity between that states gun laws and those of Illinois. Specifically, “Substantially Similar means the comparable state regulates who may carry firearms, concealed or otherwise, in public; prohibits all who have involuntary mental health admissions, and those with voluntary admissions within the past 5 years, from carrying firearms, concealed or otherwise, in public; reports denied persons to NICS; and participates in reporting persons authorized to carry firearms, concealed or otherwise, in public through Nlets.”

Residents from What States are Eligible?

The Illinois State Police sent a survey to each state to determine which of them has laws that are substantially similar. Click here to find out how your state responded and if your state’s laws have been determined to be substantially similar. Currently, the only states considered to be substantially similar are Hawaii, New Mexico, South Carolina and Virginia.
Note: Not all states have responded to the survey.

What Other Alternatives Do I Have?

If you want to carry a concealed weapon in Illinois I’m afraid you are out of luck. Illinois currently does not honor permits from any other states. If you are interested in obtaining a permit that is valid in others states in the US we encourage you to consider our other training options listed here.