Northern Illinois Carry, LLC

Illinois firearms laws are among the strictest in the United States. Navigating our state's strict firearms regulations can be difficult. The current laws are intended to prevent criminals from accessing guns. However, it can also make it more challenging for law-abiding citizens to conduct legal gun transactions. Northern Illinois Carry LLC created this guide to help clarify the laws governing the buying, selling, and transferring of firearms to avoid getting tripped up by confusing gun laws. Requirements to Purchase a Firearm in Illinois To legally purchase a rifle, shotgun, or ammunition, the buyer must be at least 18 years of age. Handgun buyers must be 21 years or older. In addition, to possess firearms or ammunition, all buyers must have a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card (FOID). For more specific information on acquiring a FOID, visit the Illinois State Police (ISP) website .   Before obtaining a firearm, check with your local municipality for applicabl...

The fastest-growing segment for concealed carry is women. According to the Pew Research Center , 27% of women claim that protection is the main reason they own guns, compared to 8% of men.   Gun holsters were initially designed for males only. However, manufacturers have created holsters that can be used by both male and female bodies. As a result, there are now more options for concealed carry for females than ever before.   Women's Concealed Carry Options Women's gun holders need to be considered due to differences in anatomy, dress styles, and other factors. If you are carrying your gun in a strong side position (women tend to have wider hips) than men, placing the holster behind your right hip is better than over it - plus, it can make carrying a gun for long periods more comfortable. In addition, natural curves can make it easier to conceal the weapon, which will prevent it from printing.   Waistband Holsters Most holsters made for concealed carry are worn inside or ...

  You’ve purchased a firearm for everyday carry, have been trained on how to responsibly and safely operate it, and you’ve made the decision to carry. Congratulations!    Now the question is “what kind of holster should I buy and how do I wear it?” Before you run out and purchase a holster, make sure concealed carry is legal where you live and select a holster with easy firearm access while still achieving your concealment goals.    When selecting a holster for concealed carry, remember that holster must fit you, your gun and your lifestyle while providing  concealment, access and retention. According to the National Rifle Association (NRA) , these are the most common holsters:   Strong-Side Hip Holsters The most familiar kind of holster, strong-side hip holster is positioned on your shooting hand side between the kidney and point of your hip. The strengths of this style of holster include very good pistol retention, the fastest presentation speed of a...

Biometric safes have the potential to be the safest and most secure way of storing your valuables. Using biometric technology, these safes use a fingerprint scanner that can only be opened with your own unique fingerprint. This is great for those who are looking for an extra level of security when it comes to protecting their personal items from theft or damage. But not everyone has been convinced that this is the best option available on the market today. So, let's take a look at some pros and cons of using biometrics in safes so you can decide which type suits you! The Pros:    Biometric safes offer an additional layer of protection against thieves as they cannot open it without access to the owner's fingerprints. Biometric safes are easy to use and have a simple fingerprint scanner, making them more accessible to those who may have trouble operating other types of locks.  No key to lose : With a biometric fingerprint safe, there is no need for an extra set of keys. Tr...

If you’re new to firearms or are just taking a class on how to use one, there are many different positions to carry a gun. If you find the ideal position to carry your gun,  it means the difference between having it each day or choosing to leave your firearm at home because of discomfort. Many firearms owners choose a “concealed carry” option. Here are some concealed carry positions to consider when it comes to carrying your firearms.  Appendix One of the most popular carry positions is having the position right against your appendix. If your waist were a clock, it would mean the weapon is at the 1 o’clock to 2 o’clock position. Left-handed people use 10 to 11 o’clock. While the position is quick to draw, it requires a lot of precision. A quality holster with an appendix position is very comfortable, even while sitting. Those that use this position find carrying a little extra weight can be more challenging.  Inside the Waistband (IWB) Inside the waistband is a favored po...

  While carrying and owning a firearm can certainly be rewarding, it is also a great responsibility. In order to use it carefully and appropriately, it is important to clean and care for it properly to ensure the safety of you and others around you.  Knowing the correct ways to maintain and clean your firearm is not the easiest task-- there are many steps to guarantee your firearm is in its best condition, and it can be hard to know where to start! We’ve compiled some of the best and most important tips to know when it comes to firearm cleaning and maintenance, so you know your firearm is always in tip-top shape:  Disassembly and Assembly. The assembly and disassembly of your firearm will depend on the type of firearm you own. Some can be taken apart in a few steps, while others will require more time and attention. Regardless, it is important to know how to disassemble and reassemble your firearm so you can access different parts of your firearm that may need more freque...

Responsible firearms owners know that firearm safety is a priority in order to protect our children, prevent injuries, and keep our communities safe. Nearly all firearm accidents that occur in the home can be prevented by taking simple safety precautions.  The number one way to prevent accidents and your firearm from getting into the wrong hands is proper and secure storage when not in use. All firearms should be kept in a locked storage case, cabinet or safe when not in use; this ensures that they are inaccessible to children and cannot be used without your permission. Storage cases are used for locking up and storing a firearm and are available in various sizes to accommodate firearms from handguns to hunting rifles and shotguns. For most storage solutions, there is the option of a digital keypad or combination lock to prevent unauthorized access.  Even though the firearm is stored securely, a gun lock should be used as an additional safety measure and makes the firear...

Let’s play a quick round of one of America’s favorite game shows; “Family Feud.” If we were to ask you to name some objects found around your home that often need a good cleaning, chances are “survey says” some of the top responses would include items you frequently use in your bedroom, bathroom and living room. But if you were to ask us this question, one of the first things we would say would be your handgun. While this may not be an answer that would appear in the top 5 responses of those surveyed, it absolutely should be. Taking the best possible care of your handgun ensures that you and your loved ones are properly protected from harm. Giving it a frequent cleaning the right way is absolutely essential to maintain its quality and functionality.  When firing your gun, grimy substances, mainly from powder residue, are left on the exterior and on the barrel If your gun isn’t properly cleaned, this buildup increases over time, making future use of the gun dangerous and unp...

Parenting plays a key role when it comes to teaching kids safe practices around guns, and will build the foundation for them when it comes to how they act around them when they’re older. Small lessons and concepts can be forgotten, but with repetition children can remember standard safety procedures for years to come. The Eddie Eagle GunSafe program, started by the NRA, is meant to teach kids about gun safety in a fun and easy way. Below you’ll find the steps to teach your children: Stop: By teaching your child to stop when he or she sees a gun will allow them to take a moment to think about the other steps they need to remember about the rest of the gun safety instructions. Don’t Touch: A firearm that is left alone and not touched or disturbed is unlikely to fire, keeping your child, or anyone surrounding the gun, out of danger. Run Away: Telling your child to run away from a firearm removes the temptation to touch it, as well as the danger you could put another person in ...