Protect Illinois Communities Act, Regulation on Assault Weapons

On January 10, 2023, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law Public Act 102-1116, the Protect Illinois Communities Act (Act). The Act regulates the sale and distribution of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches in Illinois. The Act went into effect immediately upon signing. Individuals who possessed assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and other devices listed in the Act before it took effect are required to submit an endorsement affidavit through their Firearm Owner’s Identification Card account.

On September 15, 2023, ISP filed an emergency rule with the Illinois Secretary of State to implement the Act. The emergency rule can be found by clicking here.

To access your account, click here. To create an account, you will need an email address, driver's license or State ID, and FOID card (if applicable).

Persons who possess as the result of a sale or transfer with a background check initiated to the Illinois State Police on or before January 10, 2023, which allowed to be completed after that date pursuant to subsection (f) may complete the required endorsement affidavit indicating possession prior to the statutorily required deadline. See 720 ILCS 524-1.9(c),(d) and (f).

If the purchase of a firearm or firearm attachment regulated under PICA was initiated but not completed between the date of the Southern District of Illinois’ Order on April 28, 2023, until the stay of such Order by the U.S. Appellate Court on May 4, 2023, the delivery of such weapon would be unlawful pursuant to 720 ILCS 5/24-1.9(b).

If the purchase of a firearm or firearm attachment regulated under PICA was initiated and completed between the date of the Southern District of Illinois’ Order on April 28, 2023, until the stay of such Order by the U.S. Appellate Court on May 4, 2023, the possession of such weapon will be unlawful beginning January 1, 2024, pursuant to 720 ILCS 5/24-1.9(c).

Persons who possess a regulated firearm or firearm attachment are required to endorse an affidavit by January 1, 2024, stating that any regulated firearm or firearm attachments were possessed prior to the enactment of PICA (January 10, 2023) pursuant to 720 ILCS 5/24-1.9(d).

Yes, you can hunt under these circumstances as long as you are on your private property or on private property with permission from the land owner and you are adhering to the 520 ILCS 5/ of the Wildlife Code; however, additional regulations will be forthcoming.

Please refer to section 720 ILCS 5/24-1.9(a)(1) within the link above.

Yes, as long as they provide proper credentials.

720 ILCS 5/24-1.9(e)(2)(assault weapon ban) and 720 ILCS 5/241.10(e)(2)(large capacity ammunition ban) define “qualified law enforcement officers” to mean any employee of a governmental agency who—

  1. is authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law, and has statutory powers of arrest or apprehension;
  2. is authorized by the agency to carry a firearm;
  3. is not the subject of any disciplinary action by the agency which could result in suspension or loss of police powers;
  4. meets standards, if any, established by the agency which require the employee to regularly qualify in the use of a firearm;
  5. is not under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance; and
  6. is not prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm.
An individual or FFL should require proof that the buyer meets these conditions prior to transferring a regulated weapon or large capacity ammunition device.

Yes, but you can only sell to exempt customers. Please refer to section 720 ILCS 5/24-1.9 and 1.10 within the link above.

Yes, FFLs can still transfer prohibited firearms to out of state FFLs.

Yes, receivers designed or intended to convert a firearm into an assault weapon are prohibited. Please refer to section 720 ILCS 5/24-1.9(a)(3).

Yes, as long as the background was initiated with the Illinois State Police on or prior to 11:59:59 PM on January 10, 2023.

No, only the sale or transfer of an AR or assault weapon with a background initiated with the Illinois State Police on or before January 10, 2023 is allowed to be completed.

In 90 days from the effective date, the Illinois resident can legally possess the firearm on private property owned or immediately controlled by the person, on private property that is not open to the public with the express permission of the person who owns or immediately controls such property, while on premises of a licensed firearms dealer or gunsmith for lawful repair, at a licensed firing range or sport shooting competition venue, or while traveling to and from these locations.

Yes, an Illinois resident may keep any AR 15 or assault weapon that has been defined as an assault weapon under the new law if the firearm was owned prior to effective date of the law and registered between October 1, 2023 and January 1, 2024.

Yes. In the coming months, more detailed information will be made available on how to register the firearm. At this time, you cannot submit an affidavit for registration. The endorsement affidavit will be available by October 1, 2023 and must be signed under oath and submitted to the ISP prior to January 1, 2024.

There is no registration fee.

No, Illinois residents cannot purchase an AR 15 or assault weapon beginning January 11, 2023 unless subject to one of the narrow exemptions listed in section 720 ILCS 5/24-1.9(e) within the link above.

After October 1, 2023 the owner must complete the endorsement affidavit and submit it to the Illinois State Police, then beginning January 1, 2024, they may transfer the assault weapon to an heir, an individual residing in another state maintaining it in another state, or a federal firearms dealer.

A magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition for long guns and more than 15 rounds of ammunition for handguns; or any combination of parts from which a device described can be assembled. See 720 ILCS 5/24-1.10(a).

Public Act 102-1116 states a “Large capacity ammunition feeding device means a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition for long guns and more than 15 rounds of ammunition for handguns.“ A 15 round magazine without an extension kit is legal.

Yes. If, they legally owned it prior to January 11, 2023 and abide by the limitations within the Act as to where it may be possessed. See 720 ILCS 5/24-1.9(d).

No, unless subject to one of the narrow exemptions future purchases will not be permitted.

Yes, Illinois residents may legally transfer the large capacity ammunition feeding device to an heir, an individual residing in another state maintaining it in another state, a federal firearms dealer, or one of the limited number of people who may purchase under Section 24-1.10(e); however, notification must be made to the Illinois State Police.

Any nonresident who transports, within 24 hours, a weapon from where they may lawfully possess it to another place they may lawfully possess it must ensure the weapon is unloaded and neither the weapon nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment during transport. If the vehicle doesn’t have a compartment outside of the driver’s compartment, the weapon or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.

No, if assault weapon was transferred to the FFL, then it cannot be transferred back to the previous registered owner unless the previously registered owner is subject to one of the narrow exemptions listed in section 720 ILCS 5/24-1.9 within the link above.

With respect to assault weapons, once the owner has completed the endorsement affidavit and submitted it to the ISP, they may transfer the assault weapon to an heir, an individual residing in another state maintaining it in another state, or a federal firearms dealer. Until the endorsement affidavit is available, an Illinois FFL cannot take possession of an assault weapon in Illinois.

With respect to large capacity ammunition feeding devices, the owner may sell a large ammunition feeding device to an Illinois FFL; however, notification must be made to the Illinois State Police.

Unless an Illinois FFL is doing business in other states and is purchasing the weapon or large capacity ammunition feeding device in another state, then they cannot. Illinois FFLs are not exempt from the provisions of Section 24-1.9 or 24-1.10; accordingly, an Illinois FFL cannot take possession of an assault weapon or large capacity ammunition feeding device in Illinois.

No, unless the “winner” was identified and a background check initiated by January 10, 2023, a transfer of the weapon is not permitted unless the person to whom it is being transferred is exempt under Section 24-1.9(e).

Yes, while .50 caliber rifles and cartridges are specifically prohibited, any weapon that fits the definition of an “Assault Weapon” would be prohibited regardless of the caliber. The only exception for .22 caliber ammunition is specifically limited to fixed magazines, large capacity ammunition feeding devices, and semiautomatic rifles with a fixed magazine capable of operating only with .22 caliber rimfire ammunition.

The Illinois Supreme Court reversed the trial court’s judgment in the Macon County case and the Protect Illinois Communities Act is enforceable across Illinois. The TRO in the Accuracy Firearms case (2023-MR-4) has also been vacated and is no longer applicable.

The Illinois Supreme Court reversed the trial court’s judgment in the Macon County case and the Protect Illinois Communities Act is enforceable across Illinois. The endorsement affidavit will be available no later than October, 1, 2023.

Failing to complete and submit the required endorsement affidavit is a violation of Illinois law – specifically, the FOID Act (Class A misdemeanor) and the Criminal Code of 2012 (1st offense – Class A misdemeanor; second or subsequent offense – Class 3 Felony). Persons who violate the endorsement affidavit requirements may be arrested and charged.

Law enforcement agencies, including the ISP, are charged with enforcing the Protecting Illinois Communities Act throughout the state. ISP will continue to enforce the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act and Article 24 of the Criminal Code of 2012 by partnering with local law enforcement through our Violent Crime Intelligence Task Force. The task force is a collaborative effort to reduce and prevent illegal possession and use of firearms, firearm related homicides, and other violent crimes.

These items may only be transferred to

  • persons exempt from the assault weapons regulation by subsection 1.9(e) or 1.10(e) of the Act OR
  • an heir, which includes any person or entity who is entitled to receive a distribution pursuant to intestate succession, will, trust, or other method permitted by law upon the death of the owner.

While there is no statutory requirement in the PICA amendments to the Criminal Code of 2012 that the entity do so, they may request the heir provide proof of inheritance, such as a probate order or small estate affidavit.

The person must obtain or possess a FOID card and complete an endorsement affidavit within 60 days of receiving the item.

If you have questions about compliance with the Protect Illinois Communities Act not answered in the above FAQs or need help submitting an endorsement affidavit, you can email ISP.AskFOIDandCCL@illinois.gov, or visit one of the ISP FOID Kiosks.

Protect Illinois Communities Act Affidavit Process

THE SYSTEM WILL NOT ACCEPT AFFIDAVITS UNTIL OCTOBER 1, 2023.


Kiosk Locations and Hours

Northern Illinois
Illinois State Police Troop 3
16648 Broadway St, Lockport, IL 60441
Regular Hours: M-F 7:00 am - 11:30 am & 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Central Illinois Illinois State Police Troop 6
801 S 7th St, Springfield, IL 62703
Regular Hours: M-F 8:30 am – 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Southern Illinois Illinois State Police Troop 8
1100 Eastport Plaza Dr, Collinsville, IL 62234
Regular Hours: M-F 7:00 am – 12:30 pm & 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Illinois State Police Troop 10
1391 S Washington St, Du Quoin, IL 62832
Regular Hours: M-F 8:30 am – 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

*Hours are subject to change

- Firearm Owner’s Identification Card Portal - https://www.ispfsb.com/Public/Login.aspx
- Protect Illinois Communities Act - https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/102/PDF/102-1116.pdf