Illinois NFA Laws
Illinois bans civilian ownership of suppressors, machine guns, and certain short-barreled firearms under the Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) Act and the Criminal Code (720 ILCS 5/24-1 et seq.). A Firearm Owner's Identification Card is required to possess any firearm in Illinois, but the card does not authorize possession of banned NFA categories. Law-enforcement and certain licensed manufacturers and dealers have narrow exemptions.
NFA item legality in Illinois
- Suppressors: Banned
- Short-barreled rifles (SBRs): Banned
- Short-barreled shotguns (SBSs): Banned
- Machine guns (pre-1986 transferable): Banned
- Hunting with a suppressor: Not permitted
State requirements
- All four major NFA item categories are prohibited for civilian ownership under Illinois law regardless of federal NFA compliance.
- A FOID card is required to own any firearm in Illinois.
Recent Illinois legislation
- PICA — Assault Weapons Ban (2023) (2023, passed): Passed broad restrictions on 'assault weapons'; did not specifically expand NFA rules but increased regulatory complexity for dealers.
Frequently asked questions
Are suppressors legal in Illinois?
No. Suppressors are banned under Illinois state law, regardless of federal NFA registration.
Are short-barreled rifles (SBRs) legal in Illinois?
No. Short-barreled rifles are banned under Illinois state law, regardless of federal NFA registration.
Are machine guns legal in Illinois?
No. Machine guns are banned under Illinois state law regardless of federal registration.
Do I need a state permit for NFA items in Illinois?
No state-specific NFA permit is required in Illinois; the standard federal process (ATF Form 4 or Form 1, fingerprints, background check, tax stamp) applies.
Last reviewed 2026-07-04. This is general information, not legal advice — verify with the ATF or a qualified attorney.
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