Understanding Illinois’ Assault Weapons Ban

The Protect Illinois Communities Act, effective since January 2023, is causing serious confusion for Illinois gun owners. The new law bans the sale of certain weapons and attachments in Illinois. However, those who owned such weapons before the law’s enactment can keep them, as long as they register with the Illinois State Police (ISP) by the end of this year.

The law broadly covers various firearms and accessories, specifically targeting weapons based on the AR-15 design. It classifies over 170 models as assault weapons, including certain rifles, pistols, and shotguns that are very common.

The ban also focuses on specific features that classify a firearm as an “assault weapon,” such as thumbhole stocks, pistol grips on rifles, and the capacity to accept ammunition belts. Accessories that add these features to firearms are also regulated.

The law bans large capacity magazines, defining them as 15 or more rounds for pistols and 10 or more rounds for rifles. However, owners of such magazines don’t need to disclose them if owned before the law’s effective date.

Gun owners must file an endorsement affidavit with the ISP, detailing the make, model, serial number, and caliber of the gun. Accessories also require a description and part number.

Right now the legal implications are unclear with non-compliance towards these regulations carrying various penalties, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the nature of the violation. This has led to an extremely low compliance numbers, with less than a month before affidavits are due.

For a full list of banned firearms, click here.