2025 Legal Guide to Selling a Gun in Illinois (IL) for 2026

2026 Firearm Ownership Restrictions in Illinois

In 2023, Illinois lawmakers enacted the Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA), reflecting a dedicated push to enhance public safety by regulating assault weapons. This legislation establishes strict ownership controls over a wide range of firearms based on their physical characteristics, magazine capacities, and specific mechanical modifications.

2026 Restricted Firearm Features and Capacities in Illinois

The Act specifically targets semi-automatic firearms that possess certain tactical features or high ammunition capacities. The following characteristics now trigger state restrictions:

• Semiautomatic Rifles: Models that accept detachable magazines and include features such as pistol grips, telescoping stocks, or flash suppressors are restricted. Additionally, rifles with fixed magazines are limited to a 10-round capacity, with the exception of certain .22 caliber rimfire devices.
• Semiautomatic Pistols: Handguns are regulated if they feature threaded barrels, barrel shrouds, flash suppressors, or the mechanical ability to accept a magazine anywhere other than the pistol grip.
• Semiautomatic Shotguns: Restrictions apply to shotguns equipped with pistol grips, those with fixed magazines holding more than 5 rounds, or any model capable of using detachable magazines.
• Belt-Fed and Modified Weapons: Any firearm designed to accept belt ammunition feeding devices or those modified to function as assault weapons are strictly regulated under the new law.

2026 Ownership Disqualifications in Illinois

Beyond existing federal mandates, Illinois maintains a rigorous set of state-specific criteria that disqualify individuals from legal firearm ownership. To be eligible for a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card, an applicant must verify that they have:

• Mental Health Status: Never been adjudicated as a mental defective or ordered into inpatient/outpatient treatment by a court or authorized board. Furthermore, they must not have been a patient in a mental health facility within the last five years.
• Disability and Substance Use: No history of being intellectually or developmentally disabled, and no record of using or being addicted to controlled substances or narcotics within the past year (including failing a drug test for a non-prescribed substance).
• Legal and Criminal History: No active Orders of Protection or No Contact/No Stalking Orders. Disqualification also occurs if, within the past five years, the individual was convicted of battery, assault, or violating an order of protection while possessing a firearm.
• Domestic Violence and Felonies: Any conviction for domestic battery or aggravated domestic battery (whether felony or misdemeanor) results in a permanent disqualification. Fugitives and those convicted of serious crimes are likewise barred.
• Citizenship and Military Status: Applicants must be lawfully present in the U.S., must not have renounced their U.S. citizenship, and must not have been dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces. Those admitted under certain non-immigrant visas are also generally ineligible.

FEDERAL DISQUALIFICATION CATEGORIES

• Conviction (felony or misdemeanor) where the crime has a maximum imprisonment term exceeding 1 year (even if a buyer did not receive actual imprisonment exceeding 1 year).
• Warrant (felony or out-of-state misdemeanor).
• Felony pre-trial release.
• Misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence restraining/stalking/protection order mental health adjudication or commitment.
• Unlawful use or addicted to a controlled substance (including marijuana).
• Dishonorable discharge from the armed forces.
• Renounced U.S. citizenship.
• Illegal alien.

Save the Hassle, Sell your Gun to Cash My Guns

Given the overwhelming complexity and strict mandatory procedures for firearm transfers under Illinois’ gun laws, Cash My Guns offers a simplified, safe, and fully legal alternative for selling your handgun or long gun while guaranteeing 100% compliance with all state and federal regulations.

The entire process is designed to be hassle-free and can be completed without leaving your house: simply inform them which firearm(s) you wish to sell, receive a competitive offer, and upon acceptance, you will be provided with prepaid shipping to mail the gun directly to their licensed Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL).

This arrangement delegates the intricate legal transfer and required FOID and background checks to the FFL, ensuring the process is quick and safe, and resulting in payment delivered to you via check within a few days of the firearm’s receipt.

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