# Gun laws in my area? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 4, 2011, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-laws-in-my-area/584283 "2011-06-04T03:34:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-laws-in-my-area/584283/1 "2011-06-04T03:34:52Z")
Is there an easy way to find out the gun laws in my area? Do I just request relevant information from the city/county/state and then try to make heads or tails of the whole mess on my own? ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-laws-in-my-area/584283/2 "2011-06-04T03:50:32Z")
[Handgunlaw.us](http://handgunlaw.us/) is one place to start. If you’re in Illinois as indicated, you’ll need a Firearm Owners IDentification (FOID) card before you’ll even be able to handle any firearms at a store, or to purchase ammunition. An example of what you’re trying to learn or do in the area of firearms would be helpful. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-laws-in-my-area/584283/3 "2011-06-04T04:39:37Z")
Thanks for the link. Im really just trying to figure out what the law is. I’m not interested in owning a firearm at this point, perhaps in the future. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-laws-in-my-area/584283/4 "2011-06-04T15:20:05Z")
Well, the answer to “what the law is” kind of depends on your intended desires. Want to buy a .22 rifle? Get a FOID card and after it’s issued go to the store and make a purchase. Want to add a sound suppressor to said rifle so’s not to annoy your neighbors? Sorry, not in Illinois. Want to carry a firearm for self protection. Sorry, not in Illinois, unless you’re on your own property. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-laws-in-my-area/584283/5 "2011-06-04T17:58:06Z")
I guess your post is exactly the kind of info I’m interested in. In plain english what can I do and what can’t I do? I think the link you gave is a good place for me to start. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-laws-in-my-area/584283/6 "2011-06-04T18:14:28Z")
In general you’ll not find laws stating “you can do this”, most laws are written to say “you can’t do this”. If they don’t say you can’t, then generally you can. This however is not a hard and fast rule. Some state game laws are permissive codes, while some are restrictive. Missouri game laws are permissive. If they don’t say you can do it, then you can’t. I know your not asking about game laws, just using that as an example of laws written to say what you CAN do, as opposed to what you can’t. Illinois says in effect that you can’t carry a concealed weapon for protection. It’s one of only two states with complete prohibition. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-laws-in-my-area/584283/7 "2011-06-06T14:06:20Z")
Try [The NRA gun law website](http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/). Has a nice summary of laws for each of the 50 states. Looking at the MA summary, it’s accurate, and reasonably easy to understand. If your state has its own NRA-ish organization, they may have their own summary of laws as well. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-laws-in-my-area/584283/8 "2011-06-06T17:03:44Z")
Walk in to a gun range or gun club in your area. There will be no shortage of people who are willing to explain things to you… if only to show how superior their knowledge is to yours!! Seriously, gun geeks are like comic book geeks! Be prepared to be talked down to a little, but you will find out everything you want to know.