An Illinois FOID card is not a carry permit
A FOID card lets you legally possess guns and ammo in Illinois. It does not let you carry concealed. For that you need an Illinois Concealed Carry License.
The FOID card is the Firearm Owner's Identification card, issued under the Illinois Firearm Owners Identification Card Act, 430 ILCS 65. Illinois residents generally need one to legally possess firearms or ammunition in the state.
Carry is a separate license. Concealed carry in Illinois requires an Illinois Concealed Carry License under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, 430 ILCS 66. The two cards do different jobs.
FOID card vs. Illinois CCL
| FOID card | Illinois CCL | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Firearm Owner's Identification card | Illinois Concealed Carry License |
| Law behind it | Firearm Owners Identification Card Act, 430 ILCS 65 | Firearm Concealed Carry Act, 430 ILCS 66 |
| What it lets you do | Legally possess firearms or ammunition in Illinois | Carry a concealed handgun in Illinois |
| Allows concealed carry? | No | Yes |
What if you do not live in Illinois
Illinois recognizes no out-of-state license for carry on your person under 430 ILCS 66/40. There is only a narrow vehicle transport exception, and that is not carry on the person.
Illinois accepts non-resident CCL applications only from residents of Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, Texas, and Virginia. If you live somewhere else, there is no license Illinois will issue you and no out-of-state permit that works there.
See the full Illinois carry law summary.
Common questions
- Can I carry concealed with just a FOID card?
- No. A FOID card by itself does not authorize concealed carry. Concealed carry in Illinois requires an Illinois Concealed Carry License under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, 430 ILCS 66.
- Does Illinois honor my out-of-state carry permit?
- No. Illinois recognizes no out-of-state license for carry on your person under 430 ILCS 66/40. There is a narrow vehicle transport exception, which is not carry on the person.
- Can a non-resident get an Illinois CCL?
- Only from six states. Illinois accepts non-resident CCL applications only from residents of Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, Texas, and Virginia.
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Check your state's rules →Sources and verification
- IL: 430 ILCS 66/40. Illinois State Police.
Recognition and carry-law data compiled from each state's statutes and official Attorney General, State Police, or Department of Public Safety reciprocity pages. Reviewed quarterly. Last reviewed: Q3 2026. We review and update this information about once a quarter. Laws change between reviews, so verify with the destination state before you travel or apply. Read how we verify our information, including our public corrections log.