What we grade · Illinois
Second Amendment — Right to Keep & Bear Arms
The Second Amendment is our primary standard — weighted heaviest in every score. Nowhere is it under heavier assault than Illinois: PICA's ban on common semi-automatic rifles and standard-capacity magazines, the FOID card, red-flag seizures, and a shrinking right to carry. These are the issues that decide whether you can still own, carry, build, and buy in Illinois.
PICA — the “Assault Weapons” Ban & Registry
The Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA), passed in 2023, bans the sale of many common semi-automatic rifles and standard-capacity magazines, and requires people who already own them to register them with the state.
What earns a high score
I support fully repealing PICA — including its ban on so-called “assault weapons” and standard-capacity magazines — and I oppose any firearm or magazine registration.
FOID Card Repeal
Illinois requires a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card — a state-issued permit you must apply and pay for before you can legally own a firearm or buy ammunition.
What earns a high score
I support repealing or dismantling the FOID card system, so law-abiding residents don’t need a government permit to exercise their Second Amendment rights.
Red Flag Laws (Firearm Restraining Orders)
“Red flag” laws (Firearms Restraining Orders) let a court order a person’s firearms be confiscated — sometimes before that person has had a chance to defend themselves in a hearing.
What earns a high score
I oppose expanding red-flag / Firearms Restraining Order laws, and I support strong due-process protections before anyone’s firearms can be taken.
SAFE-T Act & Criminal-Justice Fallout
The SAFE-T Act overhauled Illinois criminal justice, including ending cash bail. Many gun owners are concerned it weakens consequences for violent and armed criminals.
What earns a high score
I support restoring real consequences for violent and armed offenders, and fixing the parts of the SAFE-T Act that put dangerous criminals back on the street.
Concealed & Constitutional Carry
Illinois requires a permit, training, and fees to carry a concealed firearm. “Constitutional carry” would let law-abiding adults carry without first getting a state permit.
What earns a high score
I support expanding the right to carry — including constitutional (permitless) carry for law-abiding adults.
Magazine Capacity Limits
Under PICA, Illinois caps how many rounds a magazine can hold — currently 10 rounds for rifles and 15 for handguns.
What earns a high score
I oppose magazine-capacity limits, and I support repealing the current caps.
Carry Restrictions & “Sensitive Places”
Even with a valid carry license, Illinois law bans carrying in a long and growing list of “sensitive places,” which critics say makes a license nearly useless in daily life.
What earns a high score
I oppose the sweeping “sensitive place” and gun-free-zone restrictions that make a concealed-carry license nearly impossible to actually use.
FFL, Dealer & Manufacturer Regulation
Illinois gun shops, gunsmiths, and manufacturers face state licensing, taxes, insurance mandates, and liability laws that can force small businesses to close.
What earns a high score
I support Illinois’ firearm dealers, gunsmiths, and manufacturers, and I oppose new licensing, taxes, insurance mandates, and liability laws designed to put them out of business.
Ammunition Taxes & Registration
Proposals in Illinois and elsewhere would tax ammunition, require serial numbers on individual rounds, or log ammunition buyers in a government database.
What earns a high score
I oppose new taxes on ammunition, ammunition serialization, and any point-of-sale registration of ammunition buyers.
Waiting Periods & Purchase Limits
Illinois imposes a 72-hour waiting period on firearm purchases. Some proposals would add “one gun a month” or other limits on how and when you can buy.
What earns a high score
I oppose waiting periods, “one gun a month” rules, and other mandates that delay or limit lawful firearm purchases.
We The Vetted grades the Republican in each Illinois race on these issues, 1–10. Read our full methodology or see the other amendments we grade.