What are the Illinois Laws Regarding Guns and Domestic Violence?
In Illinois, a person must have a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID) card to legally possess or buy a gun or ammunition. Under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, a domestic violence victim can request that the abuser not be allowed to carry a firearm. If an Order of Protection is in existence, the Illinois State Police can deny or revoke an abuser’s FOID card. If the Order of Protection has expired, an abuser can legally have and buy guns. The Illinois State Police can revoke a FOID application or an Abuser’s FOID Card if they find: • There is an existing Order of Protection that does not allow the abuser to have a firearm. However, the gun ban does not apply to police officers while “engaged in the operation of their official duties” (but only if the officer asks for an exemption). • The abuser has a criminal conviction of domestic battery or a similar offense in another jurisdiction after January 1, 1998. • The abuser has a criminal conviction within the past 5 years o
