Is AR-15 ownership legal in Illinois?

AR-15 ownership is restricted in Illinois. See the notes section of this page and consult an attorney before purchasing.

Does Illinois have an assault weapon ban?

Yes. Illinois has an assault weapon ban. Certain configurations of AR-15 rifles are restricted or prohibited.

Does Illinois limit magazine capacity?

No. Illinois does not currently impose a magazine capacity limit.

Are short-barreled rifles (SBRs) legal in Illinois?

SBRs are prohibited in Illinois.

Are suppressors legal in Illinois?

Suppressors are prohibited in Illinois.

Is a permit required to purchase an AR-15 in Illinois?

No permit is required to purchase an AR-15 in Illinois beyond the standard federal background check.

Does Illinois require AR-15 registration?

No. Illinois does not require AR-15 registration.

AR15OUTFITTERS

AR-15 Laws in Illinois

Last verified: April 8, 2026

This is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Consult a licensed attorney and verify current federal, state, and local regulations before purchasing or building any firearm.

AR-15 Ownership

Restricted

Assault Weapon Ban

In Effect

Magazine Capacity Limit

No limit

Short Barreled Rifles (SBR)

Prohibited

Suppressors

Prohibited

Permit Required

Registration Required

Details

Assault weapons ban effective 2023. Existing owners must register. FOID card required.

Buying in Illinois

Background Check	State POC (ISP via FOID)
Waiting Period	72-hour for handguns, 24-hour for long guns
Purchase Age	21+ for handguns, 18+ for long guns (under 21 needs parental consent)
Permit to Purchase	FOID card required for all firearm purchases and ammunition
Private Sale Background Check	Required (universal background check)

Carry Laws

Constitutional Carry	No
Concealed Carry Permit	Shall-issue
Open Carry	Prohibited

AR pistols generally follow the same carry laws as handguns in Illinois. Verify with local law enforcement.

Local Preemption

Local jurisdictions may impose additional restrictions

Chicago, Cook County, and several suburbs have additional restrictions including local assault weapon bans predating state preemption.

Check local ordinances in addition to state law before purchasing.

Neighboring States

How Illinois compares to its border states for AR-15 owners.

State	Restriction Level	Mag Limit
Iowa	Minimal restrictions	None
Indiana	Minimal restrictions	None
Kentucky	Minimal restrictions	None
Missouri	Minimal restrictions	None
Wisconsin	Minimal restrictions	None

Laws last reviewed: April 2026. Always verify current laws before purchasing.

AR-15 Ownership in Illinois

AR-15 style rifles are heavily restricted in Illinois. Featureless builds or fixed-magazine configurations may be legal. Consult a local firearms attorney before purchasing.

Building an AR-15 in Illinois

Illinois has an assault weapon ban in effect. Featureless builds with a compliant grip (fin grip or similar), fixed stock, and no flash hider may be legal. Fixed-magazine configurations using devices like the CompMag or MagLatch are another option in some jurisdictions.

Consult a Illinois-licensed firearms attorney before starting any build.

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Product Recommendation Disclaimer: These recommendations are based on our understanding of Illinois law as of April 30, 2026. Laws change. Always verify compliance with your local FFL dealer before purchasing. AR15 Outfitters is not a legal authority.

Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. This information is provided for educational purposes only. Laws change frequently. Always verify current regulations with your state legislature or a licensed attorney before purchasing, building, or possessing any firearm or firearm accessory.