Northern Illinois Carry, LLC

  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in April of 2020, the Illinois State Police (ISP) adopted emergency rules to help firearm owners with expired Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) cards. The ISP then updated the emergency rules for Concealed Carry Licenses (CCL) and FOID cardholders on September 3, 2020, providing for the 18-month extension of FOID card and CCL renewals. This update replaced the previous 12-month extension. These adopted rules are aimed to help the FOID renewal backlog and firearm owners during the continued COVID-19 pandemic.   The following rule changes regarding  FOID and CCL card renewals continue to remain in effect under emergency rules. per the ISP Firearm Services Bureau : FOID cardholders, who submit their renewal application will remain valid during the duration of the state’s disaster proclamation and for a period of 18 months following the termination of the disaster, even if their renewal application is/was not submitted prior to exp...

For first-time firearm buyers, choosing the right gun can be daunting. If you don’t personally know someone knowledgeable about guns who can help walk you through the process, don’t worry. Fortunately, there’s a rational process first-time buyers can follow to choose a handgun that fits their needs, familiarity level, and budget. Here’s what the NRA suggests : Determine Your Needs Why do you want a handgun? The answer to this question will determine many of your new gun’s characteristics. If concealed carry is your goal, you’ll want a gun that is short, small and light, while one for home defense may be larger and heavier. Understand that no one gun can do everything well. While there are a few double-duty handguns suitable for both home defense or concealed carry, it’s best for new owners to determine their handgun’s single most critical function and let that guide the selection. Selecting the Proper Caliber Next is the selection of the caliber of your defensive handgun—that is, the e...

  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...

Have you ever wondered how you can travel safely and legally with your firearms? Before you hit the road or take to the skies to visit family or go hunting, it's important to be in compliance with firearms rules and regulations.  Traveling by Car The Firearms Owners Protection Act is the federal law that outlines the legal method to transport firearms in a vehicle. When traveling by car with firearms, follow these rules: Do your research. You will need to know and follow the laws not only of your origination and destination state but every state you travel through. And the laws can vary greatly from state to state.  Some states require all firearms to be stored in a locked container or safe, while others have an open carry policy.  Check to make sure your originating state’s carry permit is recognized in your destination state as well as states you’re going through. In more restrictive states, transporting firearms is illegal unless you have a carry permit i...

We're a little over a month into the new year and new decade. Are you on track with your New Year’s resolutions?  If you’ve already fallen off track or haven’t made any yet, there’s still plenty of time left in 2020. Might we suggest some related to your favorite firearm or gun ownership? Different gun owners need different resolutions, so we’ve compiled resolutions that any gun owner is able to keep into 2020 and beyond.  Carry consistently. The saying goes, “It’s better to have it and not need than to need it and not have it” and holds true for gun owners - especially if you are truly committed to the concealed carry lifestyle. Unfortunately, we live in a day and age where an attack or act of violence can happen at any time, so it’s always best to be prepared and protected. Preparedness doesn’t necessarily mean a full-size gun; it can be as simple as carrying a .380 in your pocket. Be situationally aware. Being observant of your surroundings is essential to...

Being in possession of a gun is an enormous responsibility. This constitutional right can be used in a variety of ways; for hunters, it is a way to practice their sport and bring food home for their families in order to provide for them. For countless people across the country, having a firearm within arm’s reach is a way to keep them and their loved ones feeling secure in their own homes. Others may just be curious to see what having such power in their hands feels like, and take their interest to a local firing range to see whether or not they’ve discovered a new passion or hobby. Yes, there are so many ways that guns are present in our lives today. But no matter how a gun is used, it must always be handled in the safest manner possible. That’s why it’s essential, for the betterment and protection of ourselves and our fellow citizens, for gun users to know how this extraordinary piece of equipment works. Whether you consider yourself a gun expert or if you have never shot ...

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...