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Health & Fitness

Starting Steps For Concealed Carry in Illinois

Jordan S. Zoot's profile picture
Jordan S. Zoot, Neighbor

We are getting closer to the implementation of the concealed carry law in Illinois. Here is a brief update with respect to dates and what a person that wants to obtain a CCL permit needs to do:

  1. Sept. 6 is the date that the Illinois State Police will release the applications for Instructors to submit to become certified as Concealed Carry Instructors. If anyone is interested in the requirements to become an instructor, you can review the criteria here. It is also the date by when the Illinois State Police start accepting course outlines for certification. The organization called IllinoisCarry.com has developed a standardized course outline that many of us contemplate using.
  2. An approved CCL training course must include:The required 16-hour firearms training course will include range qualification time and shall cover the following:
    1. Firearm safety
    2. The basic principles of marksmanship
    3. Care, cleaning, loading, and unloading of a concealable firearm
    4. All applicable state and federal laws relating to the ownership, storage, carry, and transportation of a firearm
    5. Instruction on the appropriate and lawful interaction with law enforcement while transporting or carrying a concealed firearm.
    All applicants must pass a live fire exercise with a concealable firearm consisting of:
  1. A minimum of 30 rounds
  2. 10 rounds from a distance of 5 yards, 10 rounds from a distance of 7 yards, and 10 rounds from a distance of 10 yards at a B-27 silhouette target approved by the ISP.
  • IF YOU WANT TO OBTAIN A CCL YOUR FIRST STEP MUST BE TO APPLY FOR AN ILLINOIS FIREARMS OWNER CARD ["FOID"]. IT TAKES 60 DAYS OR SO FOR A FOID TO BE APPROVED SO THE TIME TO APPLY IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE IS NOW!!! You can download an application for a FOID here. The FOID application process includes a background check, and my understanding is that most of us that will be teaching a class will require the FOID card to attend the CCL class. If you sign up for the class without having a FOID, it will require most of us to seek alternative ways to confirm that a prospective student meets the background criteria to own a firearm and apply for a permit. I certainly have no intention of providing training in the potential use of deadly force to an ineligible person.
    • As the process moves forward, if you have questions, comments, etc you can contact EvanstonCCL@gmail.com. There will be specific information about CCL training to be offered in Evanston and nearby communities.
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