Travelling thru Illinois w/ guns

[MMH]

I need to drive to CO & will have guns with me. I will drive through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska & finally Colorado. I will have two rifles (R700 & AR15) and 1000 rounds of ammunition as well as a 9mm. The guns will be inside the truck (in proper cases and locked) and the ammunition will be in the bed of a truck in a locked Jobox. I can remove the bolts for both rifles & the put the pistol in the Jobox. That way, even if the rifles would be 'accessible' (even though the gun case they would be in would be locked), they would be 'inoperable'.

The truck will have DOT numbers on it so I will have to stop at all weigh stations.

Any issues in this - in particular, in going thru IL? I do not have a FOID card. I will not be stopping (not even for fuel - will fuel up just before entering). However, I may have to stop in a weigh station. BTW for me to drive around IL would add 300 miles to the trip.

 

[...]

ive driven through IL a few times.......always keep guns locked up and keep ammo locked up separate........never had an issue......but then again, ive never been stopped either.

although FOPA should cover you without a FOID........should.

dont give the police a reason to pull you over......mind your speed, use your blinker, wear a seatbelt......all the fun stuff

 

[2ndamendfan]

With DOT numbers on the truck follow the regs.

 

[MMH]

With DOT numbers on the truck follow the regs.

I have to - stop at weigh stations, keep a log book (now an ELD), etc.

 

[Redmanss]

Just have them unloaded and locked so they are inaccessible to you as the driver/passengers, FOPA covers the rest for an interstate traveler. With your plan, sounds like you'll be just fine.

The sad thing is this is even a question. I hate Illinois, wish the rest of my family was on this side of the Mississippi so I'd never have to go through there again.

ETA: Here's the link from Illinois themselves, like always don't take legal advice from laymen over the internet, get the facts from official sources. Damn I miss Graham on the Hide...

https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/TransportYourFirearmLegally.pdf

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

I’ve driven through Illinois one time, from Missouri to Kentucky, across the Mississippi and Ohio rivers there near Cairo IL. I Checked the route before even driving up there, and even measured the length of road I’d travel through Illinois. It was 1700 yards. That’s it, just 1700 yards. I had a 1911 with me in the front seat, in the glove box actually, and I figured I’d be ok. I crossed the Mississippi, got to the bottom of the bridge, and there were two illinois state troopers sitting at a stop sign. Of course, the first thing I thought was “Crap! Road block!” It wasn’t a roadblock, and I drove on through without any incident, but I was a little nervous for 1700 yards.
Yep, unload your guns, separate them, get them out of reach, and read the Illinois law and follow it. You’ll feel better driving through.

 

[502Chevelle]

Call Dillon Precision and order the book that they have on the gun laws of the 50 states. Very clear and to the point. Best 20 bucks you will ever spend.

 

[Slash0311]

I live in the Interstate 64 corridor of Indiana. This cuts across from Louisville, KY to Saint Louis. Having the guns locked as you described shouldn't be a problem on the south end of the state. The further north you go, the more guns are hated and despised. South is very rural and guns aren't given much thought. I personally avoid the north end as much as possible.

Hope my rambling helped.

 

[Sharpshooter3]

1-309-837-5832 is my district's phone number here in IL give them a call and talk to them. Every time I call in with a question they seem to be helpful and nice. Hope this will help give you a piece of mind.

 

[MMH]

The sad thing is this is even a question.

You are right about that! As they say, once you lose the 2nd Ammendment, the others are not far behind. Think about 1A - we lost it a couple of decades ago. Now we are beginning to lose 4A.

Time to stand up & get them all back!

 

[Velocity Chad]

I live in communist il. As long as they are unloaded and in a case you are fine. They dont need to be locked, or ammo separate. Illinois would be fine if we could get rid of Chicago.

 

[...]

I live in communist il. As long as they are unloaded and in a case you are fine. They dont need to be locked, or ammo separate. Illinois would be fine if we could get rid of Chicago.

that may be legal.......but if you are traveling....there is literally 0 reason not to have everything locked up........you can get locks free from any police dept in the country, and its cheap insurance from any officers that dont know the law.

plus, guns unloaded and locked separate from ammo is the most restrictive travel requirement in any state.....so if you follow that you should be safe no matter what state you travel through.

 

[Geno C.]

A few years ago I was headed from WI to MO for deer hunting. At the 11 mile marker on 39 just outside of WI, I got pulled over by a state trooper. Said he pulled me over because I had no plate on my trailer, ( Don't need on in WI for a trailer under 3k) he asked for all my info and said he ask where I was going and for what reason, typical stuff. I told him then he asked about my guns and if they were unloaded and cased. I told him they were. Then he said he knew I had a CCW and asked if I was carrying, I said no, not in Illinois! He told me that they just passed a law that said it was ok for me to carry there starting that year. I told him thanks for the knowledge and went on my way with a warning for improper use of a turn signal. He said I turned off my blinker before my lane change was completed.

I'm not sure if he didn't know the law correctly or was trying to see if I'd admit to carrying so he could catch me but he was not correct. IL does not recognize any other states' ccw.

Being you're in a commercial vehicle, rules are not always the same for you as they are for the guy in his pickup.

 

[MMH]

Being you're in a commercial vehicle, rules are not always the same for you as they are for the guy in his pickup.

I'm plenty fed up with the 2A insanity in this country. Don't get me going on the crazy DOT laws. I run my on consulting company and make about two intrastrate trips a year. The equipment I haul is industrial and looks it. Because of this, I get treated with the same regulatory, log book (now also need an ELD,) drug testing, etc. requirements as if i were FedEx. Crazy! Last thing I need is to get harassed at a weigh station because I stopped (FOPA sais no stopping, but I have to).

 

[deersniper]

I'm plenty fed up with the 2A insanity in this country. Don't get me going on the crazy DOT laws. I run my on consulting company and make about two intrastrate trips a year. The equipment I haul is industrial and looks it. Because of this, I get treated with the same regulatory, log book (now also need an ELD,) drug testing, etc. requirements as if i were FedEx. Crazy! Last thing I need is to get harassed at a weigh station because I stopped (FOPA sais no stopping, but I have to).

Pretty sure you can't legally have a firearm in a CMV

 

[Redmanss]

The problem with FOPA is the transport provision doesn't address stopping at all, nowhere does it say you can't stop. There's current legislation introduced but going nowhere, that would specifically address this issue as both NY and NJ have corrupted the intent of the law. https://www.nraila.org/articles/201...terstate-transport-of-firearms-for-lawful-use However the case, Illinois is not one of those states that goes after those abiding by the intent of FOPA, including stops for fuel, food, or even staying at hotels overnight. I've done it, more than a few times, including staying at a hotel on my way to the Hide Cup where I brought my firearms into the room with me, bolt removed from my long gun in its soft case, Glock 34 and 19 broken down inside said case as well. I was legal the entire time, check the brochure I linked above for your own specifics.

Illinois, outside of Chicago, is very conservative when it comes to supporting gun rights. Abiding by the provisions of FOPA where firearms must be cased, locked, and inaccessible to any occupants (not in glovebox or console), you will be 100% okay driving through IL on your trip. If you want to take it one step further, remove the bolt/slide of your firearms as an added measure to comply with inaccessible and locked, or disassembled so as to render them non-functioning.

And you can absolutely have a firearm in a commercial vehicle, according to the law at least. Additional provisions are for FFL manufacturers as to how they must transport, and company guidelines of course, but there is nothing in federal law to say you can't have a firearm in a commercial vehicle. I'd dare say at least half of CDL truckers are carrying on the road.

 

[...]

I'm plenty fed up with the 2A insanity in this country. Don't get me going on the crazy DOT laws. I run my on consulting company and make about two intrastrate trips a year. The equipment I haul is industrial and looks it. Because of this, I get treated with the same regulatory, log book (now also need an ELD,) drug testing, etc. requirements as if i were FedEx. Crazy! Last thing I need is to get harassed at a weigh station because I stopped (FOPA sais no stopping, but I have to).

FOPA is generally interpreted to allow stopping when necessitated by law, and to allow for fuel, rest breaks......essentially, if you are stopping over your grandmothers house for a week, that is not covered by FOPA......if you are stopping to get gas, that should be covered.

 

[Geno C.]

Pretty sure you can't legally have a firearm in a CMV

You can.

 

[Rthur]

No big deal, abide by the speed limits and you'll be through and gone.

R

 

[DetroitRearView]

If my Felonies while driving and exercising my 2A Rights were known, enforced and the sentences compounded they would have to lock up my next 5 generations to pay the dues.

As we know for a fact, the areas of this Country with the most violence are those that have the most restrictive firearms laws.

I shall protect myself, my family and innocent 3rd parties.

 

[MMH]

1-309-837-5832 is my district's phone number here in IL give them a call and talk to them. Every time I call in with a question they seem to be helpful and nice. Hope this will help give you a piece of mind.

Thanks for the number - they were helpful.

 

[Duc]

MMH
Do you fall under this???
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/what-exceptions-are-allowed-electronic-logging-device-rule

I-80 and I-294 do not enter City of Chicago...Stats show over a million vehicles a day travel each of these roads...each way! Odds are pretty low if you do your part and run with traffic and don't make yourself stand out.

 

[MMH]

The problem with FOPA is the transport provision doesn't address stopping at all, nowhere does it say you can't stop. There's current legislation introduced but going nowhere, that would specifically address this issue as both NY and NJ have corrupted the intent of the law. https://www.nraila.org/articles/201...terstate-transport-of-firearms-for-lawful-use However the case, Illinois is not one of those states that goes after those abiding by the intent of FOPA, including stops for fuel, food, or even staying at hotels overnight. I've done it, more than a few times, including staying at a hotel on my way to the Hide Cup where I brought my firearms into the room with me, bolt removed from my long gun in its soft case, Glock 34 and 19 broken down inside said case as well. I was legal the entire time, check the brochure I linked above for your own specifics.

Illinois, outside of Chicago, is very conservative when it comes to supporting gun rights. Abiding by the provisions of FOPA where firearms must be cased, locked, and inaccessible to any occupants (not in glovebox or console), you will be 100% okay driving through IL on your trip. If you want to take it one step further, remove the bolt/slide of your firearms as an added measure to comply with inaccessible and locked, or disassembled so as to render them non-functioning.

And you can absolutely have a firearm in a commercial vehicle, according to the law at least. Additional provisions are for FFL manufacturers as to how they must transport, and company guidelines of course, but there is nothing in federal law to say you can't have a firearm in a commercial vehicle. I'd dare say at least half of CDL truckers are carrying on the road.

Thanks for the link.

I was planning on pulling the bolts on the rifles & firing pin on the pistol through IL. That way even though the guns are in the cab (they will be in a locked case), even if the 'law' wants to say they are accessible, they will be inoperable. The bolts/firing pin & ammunution will be outside locked in a JoBox.

I have decided to reroute my trip - still going through IL, but will take 70 instead of 80. Only adds 70 miles to a 1500 mile trip but will give me peace of mind.

 

[hollowoutadime]

Background: I live in Ohio and own property in Colorado. My plan is to drive to Colorado (via Interstate 70 through Illinois) to do varmint shooting with a suppressed rifle. I've actually done this trip about 15-20 times.

I called the local Ohio ATF office and asked about interstate transportation of a suppressor. The Agent gave me his full name and said no federal laws would be broken, and suggested I call the Illinois ATF for any additional clarification/confirmation. The Illinois ATF, gave me his full name and echoed the Ohio ATF opinion but suggested I call the Illinois State Police Firearms Unit at 217-782-7980. I spoke with Elisha (or Alicia, no last names would be given) and she said "as long as the suppressor is not accessible to the driver (in the trunk) or inside the vehicle in a locked case (if no trunk) - it was perfectly legal for transport through Illinois". I didn't get into specifics, I try to fuel before the border and make no stops. As mentioned, one could break down or be involved in an accident - but as the intent was to legally pass through, I wouldn't reasonably expect a small municipality to override the Illinois State Police and ATF.

I suggest you call the Ill State Police Firearms unit at the provided number, and note the call.

 

[...]

she said "as long as the suppressor is not accessible to the driver (in the trunk) or inside the vehicle in a locked case (if no trunk) - it was perfectly legal for transport through Illinois".

gotta make sure those suppressors are locked away from the driver.....dont want anyone to get clubbed with it or anything.

 

[EGwhisper]

Wow, tons of incorrect info posted. If you don't know the answer please don't give advice. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=3497&ChapterID=39.

Yes, a non-resident can carry a handgun locked and loaded in their own vehicle in illinois if they have been licensed in their own state. If not licensed, cased and ammo separate. Long guns cased up and ammo separate.

 

[Velocity Chad]

Wow, tons of incorrect info posted. If you don't know the answer please don't give advice. http://www.ilga.gov/legislajution/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=3497&ChapterID=39.

Yes, a non-resident can carry a handgun locked and loaded in their own vehicle in illinois if they have been licensed in their own state. If not licensed, cased and ammo separate. Long guns cased up and ammo separate.

Ironically, you are adding to the incorrect info. Ammo does not have to be seperate. Gun needs to be unloaded and cased.

 

[Redmanss]

FOPA is generally interpreted to allow stopping when necessitated by law, and to allow for fuel, rest breaks......essentially, if you are stopping over your grandmothers house for a week, that is not covered by FOPA......if you are stopping to get gas, that should be covered.

Thanks for the link.

I was planning on pulling the bolts on the rifles & firing pin on the pistol through IL. That way even though the guns are in the cab (they will be in a locked case), even if the 'law' wants to say they are accessible, they will be inoperable. The bolts/firing pin & ammunution will be outside locked in a JoBox.

I have decided to reroute my trip - still going through IL, but will take 70 instead of 80. Only adds 70 miles to a 1500 mile trip but will give me peace of mind.

Not sure if I would go all the way to pull the FP out of the pistol, I just removed the slide, but your butt in a sling isn't mine so understand there.

I-70 is a far better route than I-80 dodging several congestion points and Chicago, along with avoiding Indiana and Ohio tolls as well. I-74 out of Indy is also a good route as well if you want to get back to 80 to avoid the bullshit of STL/KC/Topeka and the rest of the tolls on the Kansas Turnpike (not as bad if only going KC-TOP on 70, but still a toll). If you can't tell, I hate tolls, comes from my time paying a shit ton of them in the Hampton Roads area.

Just watch for the potholes across Indiana on 70 in the eastern half fo the state, they were absolutely atrocious my last two times through in February and March, they finished off my rusting sway bar link on my Explorer and I ended up replacing it in the parking lot of a Napa, and I highly recommend avoiding 70 straight through Indy if during any of the rush hour times, take the south end of the beltway.

EG, I saw that while looking around at current links for the OP, I didn't realize IL's CC law changed that for non-residents and I simply looked at reciprocity and knew they accepted no other state's licenses for general carry. These last two times through there, I stopped for nothing more than a rest area piss break, preferring to not leave a single Lincoln penny there in my own personal protest. It would still be both a bit of a pain and also pointless stay holstered up only to drop it at a stop, when I'm certainly not going to be mugged at 70 MPH.

 

[EGwhisper]

Ironically, you are adding to the incorrect info. Ammo does not have to be seperate. Gun needs to be unloaded and cased.

Ironically, you are ironically adding to the incorrect info. Keep the ammo separate. Unless you want to walk the fine line of Fed Pen for the loaded magazine in the rifle's case that someone will argue could be loaded to the gun in seconds, therefore the gun is "constructively loaded".

 

[EGwhisper]

Not sure if I would go all the way to pull the FP out of the pistol, I just removed the slide, but your butt in a sling isn't mine so understand there.

I-70 is a far better route than I-80 dodging several congestion points and Chicago, along with avoiding Indiana and Ohio tolls as well. I-74 out of Indy is also a good route as well if you want to get back to 80 to avoid the bullshit of STL/KC/Topeka and the rest of the tolls on the Kansas Turnpike (not as bad if only going KC-TOP on 70, but still a toll). If you can't tell, I hate tolls, comes from my time paying a shit ton of them in the Hampton Roads area.

Just watch for the potholes across Indiana on 70 in the eastern half fo the state, they were absolutely atrocious my last two times through in February and March, they finished off my rusting sway bar link on my Explorer and I ended up replacing it in the parking lot of a Napa, and I highly recommend avoiding 70 straight through Indy if during any of the rush hour times, take the south end of the beltway.

EG, I saw that while looking around at current links for the OP, I didn't realize IL's CC law changed that for non-residents and I simply looked at reciprocity and knew they accepted no other state's licenses for general carry. These last two times through there, I stopped for nothing more than a rest area piss break, preferring to not leave a single Lincoln penny there in my own personal protest. It would still be both a bit of a pain and also pointless stay holstered up only to drop it at a stop, when I'm certainly not going to be mugged at 70 MPH.

You are correct, back in 2013 I believe it changed and was a big move, basically saying "fuck you" to the restrictions Illinois puts on us Indiana people heading west and not wanting to drive through Missouri on our way to Saskatchewan.

There are iffy situations - you can have the handgun in your hotel room, being your abode for the evening as a non-resident, and your car, but transporting from the car to the abode is illegal. I'm an indiana boy, I travel through illinois occasionally to get to Wisconsin. I damn sure don't get out of my vehicle going through Chicago, and make sure I'm full on gas beforehand - my risk is being stopped at a red light and attempted carjackings. Or if some bad shit really happens where I don't care about firearm laws anymore.

 

[Velocity Chad]

Ironically, you are ironically adding to the incorrect info. Keep the ammo separate. Unless you want to walk the fine line of Fed Pen for the loaded magazine in the rifle's case that someone will argue could be loaded to the gun in seconds, therefore the gun is "constructively loaded".

Ironically, now you are just making shit up.
Now it's a federal law? "Constructively loaded", seriously? It is not against illinois law to keep ammo with the gun. The gun does not need to be in a locked case, and for that matter, a glove box or console was ruled to be a case. Here are a couple links.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjACegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw1o0_EwO4_2oai3GSoJ1F8J

 

[MMH]

I-70 is a far better route than I-80 dodging several congestion points and Chicago, along with avoiding Indiana and Ohio tolls as well. I-74 out of Indy is also a good route as well if you want to get back to 80 to avoid the bullshit of STL/KC/Topeka and the rest of the tolls on the Kansas Turnpike (not as bad if only going KC-TOP on 70, but still a toll). If you can't tell, I hate tolls, comes from my time paying a shit ton of them in the Hampton Roads area.

I thought about that but two concerns w/ that. First of all, I am constrained by commercial driving hours of duty. Including fuel stops, weigh station stops, etc. I can drive for 10.5 hours in one day. From where I am leaving, if I go up I-74 Davenport is 704 miles. If I do not make it, I will have to stop & spend the night in IL. If I stay on I-70, St. Louis is 635 miles away. Secondarily, I-74 puts me at 215 miles in IL whereas w/ I-70 I am down to 160 miles, not to mention that I-70 puts me on a more southern IL route. Trust me, I hate tolls as well, but think that I-70 will be a better choice for me.

 

[Redmanss]

Ironically, now you are just making shit up.
Now it's a federal law? "Constructively loaded", seriously? It is not against illinois law to keep ammo with the gun. The gun does not need to be in a locked case, and for that matter, a glove box or console was ruled to be a case. Here are a couple links.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjACegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw1o0_EwO4_2oai3GSoJ1F8J

Correct on the ammo issue, both can be stored together, but I personally would certainly have all magazines unloaded. As for how it is transported, Illinois law is one thing and does not specifically stated it must be locked even if in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, instead mandating "cased" which includes any gun bag that is zipped up, but FOPA specifically states "locked" in those situations and also specifically states console and glove box is not an allowable locked container: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/926A

Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver’s compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.

In this case, the OP or anyone else deferring to the most stringent requirements to ensure full protection under both state and federal law (which governs interstate transportation of firearms), I certainly wouldn't fault them for that regardless of what individual states' laws require. I do the same when I travel to matches through dubious states, takes next to no time to slap a padlock on the Pelican since it's inside my Explorer and I have no trunk.

 

[Velocity Chad]

In

Correct on the ammo issue, both can be stored together, but I personally would certainly have all magazines unloaded. As for how it is transported, Illinois law is one thing and does not specifically stated it must be locked even if in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, instead mandating "cased" which includes any gun bag that is zipped up, but FOPA specifically states "locked" in those situations and also specifically states console and glove box is not an allowable locked container: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/926A



In this case, the OP or anyone else deferring to the most stringent requirements to ensure full protection under both state and federal law (which governs interstate transportation of firearms), I certainly wouldn't fault them for that regardless of what individual states' laws require. I do the same when I travel to matches through dubious states, takes next to no time to slap a padlock on the Pelican since it's inside my Explorer and I have no trunk.

Per illinois case law a console or glove box is a "case". People vs Diggins in the IL supreme court. Also does not need to be locked.
As you said, I dont have an issue with people keeping to the most stringent requirements regarding transporting a firearm.
I do have issue with the previous poster claiming all of the "misinfornation" being posted, while insinuating his expertise in the matter while not knowing the laws beyond the ones made up in his head.