Get your carry permit!

Illinois residents can receive non-resident carry permits from a number of states to allow for personal defense while traveling in many states outside of Illinois.  It is true that you cannot carry a loaded gun on your person in Illinois legally, even if you're perfectly legal to do so in other states.  

Nevertheless, with a carry permit, Illinois residents can choose to carry their own safety rescue tools when traveling to more enlightened locations to spend their spare time and money.

If you choose to apply for a carry permit from another state, there are three key points you need to research before carrying your favorite defensive handgun in another state.

1. Is your permit valid in the state you are in?
   Visit handgunlaw.us for the latest, up-to-date information on where your permit(s) are recognized.
2. What are the prohibited locations?
   Can you carry your gun into a hospital or a nice restaurant (defined as one that may serve wine or beer) such as Red Lobster or Applebee's?  Visit handgunlaw.us for complete information.  Know ahead of time where you can and cannot carry and the penalties if you inadvertently find yourself in a prohibited location (for instance, in some states, it may be a felony to have your gun on you at a Red Lobster.  In other states, Missouri for instance, it is not a criminal act to carry in many of the prohibited locations, however you may be asked to leave.  Only if you refuse to leave can you be charged.) 
3. Notification to law enforcement officers provision?
   Some states require that you notify a police officer right away if you have contact with them on a traffic stop or as a pedestrian.  Know in advance whether you must notify the officer that you have a firearm carry permit and that you have it on you.

There are a number of states which issue non-resident carry permits.  Many of the states require you to apply in person or take a training class in their state.  We prefer states where you can do everything by mail!  Some of our more user-friendly favorites include:

Pennsylvania.   Online application.   .pdf for download here.

The cost is $20.  No training requirement or fingerprints required.  Permits usually arrive about five business days after you mail your completed form.  Illinois residents:  be sure to include a photocopy of your FOID card.   Valid in Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and about ten other states.  For an up-to-date list of states that recognize a Pennsylvania permit, visit this page at packing.org.

New Hampshire.  Online application.   .pdf for download here.

The cost is $20.  No training requirement or fingerprints required.  Permits usually arrive about two weeks or so after you mail your completed form.  Illinois residents:  be sure to include a photocopy of your FOID card and a carry permit from another state (such as the Pennsylvania permit).   Valid in Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and about twelve or thirteen other states.  For an up-to-date list of states that recognize a Pennsylvania permit, visit this page at packing.org.

Florida.   State of Florida information.  Application request form.  (It's free!)

Those serious about carrying firearms for personal defense get the Florida license.  It's valid in about thirty states, including Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana and many other states, including states south and east of Illinois and many states out west.  It's a little pricier at $117 for a five-year license, but it's recognized in so many more states.  They have slightly more stringent requirements for applicants, including fingerprinting and training of some sort.  Many of the NRA courses offered through GSL Defense Training satisfy Florida's training requirement.  For an up-to-date list of states that recognize Florida's permit, visit this page at packing.org.