Travelling thru Illinois w/ guns

[MMH]

I need to drive to CO & will have guns with me. I will drive through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska & finally Colorado. I will have two rifles (R700 & AR15) and 1000 rounds of ammunition as well as a 9mm. The guns will be inside the truck (in proper cases and locked) and the ammunition will be in the bed of a truck in a locked Jobox. I can remove the bolts for both rifles & the put the pistol in the Jobox. That way, even if the rifles would be 'accessible' (even though the gun case they would be in would be locked), they would be 'inoperable'.

The truck will have DOT numbers on it so I will have to stop at all weigh stations.

Any issues in this - in particular, in going thru IL? I do not have a FOID card. I will not be stopping (not even for fuel - will fuel up just before entering). However, I may have to stop in a weigh station. BTW for me to drive around IL would add 300 miles to the trip.

 

[walker2713]

I travel there on a regular basis with no problem...and doubt that you'll have one either. Chicagoland is Cuckoo...but downstate not so much. Non-residents are not required to have an FOID simply to possess firearms in transit. I can't carry on my LA CCW permit in IL, but it does allow me to have a loaded firearm in the car....it functions somewhat as an "FOID."

Especially since they'll be unloaded and cased, you should be fine.

 

[people]

A key aspect to traveling any where is make sure all your lights work and drive the speed limit. Make sure you vehicle registration is current also.

 

[DirtySteve]

Officer: Can I search your vehicle.
You: No.
Officer: I can get a search warrant.
You: I can wait...
Because he won't be able to get one unless he can provide a very good reason why he believes you maybe violating a law. But just as stated above,drive the speed limit with working lights and you will be fine.
Oh, I am a retired San Antonio Police officer.

 

[MMH]

Officer: Can I search your vehicle.
You: No.
Officer: I can get a search warrant.
You: I can wait...
Because he won't be able to get one unless he can provide a very good reason why he believes you maybe violating a law. But just as stated above,drive the speed limit with working lights and you will be fine.
Oh, I am a retired San Antonio Police officer.

The only concern here is that we are talking about a 'commercial vehicle'. The DOT has more rights to inspect the truck than police searching a personal vehicle.

Just paranoid about IL. Not as bad as NJ, NY, MD, etc. but close.

 

[DirtySteve]

The only concern here is that we are talking about a 'commercial vehicle'. The DOT has more rights to inspect the truck than police searching a personal vehicle.

Just paranoid about IL. Not as bad as NJ, NY, MD, etc. but close.

True but the inspections are limited in their scope. Safety and regulatory issues. If you have a sleeping cab put them back there. Most cops in that area should be gun friendly. NY, NJ and CA are a different country all together...

 

[Taildrag15X]

As stated watch your speed, Trucks are limited to 55 mph in IL and it is enforced, my father in law was stopped in my company truck pulling a trailer and ticketed for 62 mph.

 

[50bmg1979]

The only concern here is that we are talking about a 'commercial vehicle'. The DOT has more rights to inspect the truck than police searching a personal vehicle.

Just paranoid about IL. Not as bad as NJ, NY, MD, etc. but close.

What interstate are you taking? If I64 or I70 it is far enough from Chicago that you don't have to worry. I got pulled over in Illinois on I64 and the officer could care less about my long guns when it was brought up

 

[370bc]

I wouldn't worry so much about the law enforcement officers as much as I would worry about the criminal elements at truck stops, convince stores, etc. I live in Southern IL, and at these places I feel the most at risk.
Even before I got my CC, it was legal to have a pistol in the car, in a case. If at a certain time i felt at risk, I could load it and proceed to protect myself.
J.D.

 

[avidflyer]

True but the inspections are limited in their scope. Safety and regulatory issues. If you have a sleeping cab put them back there. Most cops in that area should be gun friendly. NY, NJ and CA are a different country all together...

Il is not bad at all....you will have no problems....We just get a really bad image due to Chicago

 

[MMH]

As stated watch your speed, Trucks are limited to 55 mph in IL and it is enforced, my father in law was stopped in my company truck pulling a trailer and ticketed for 62 mph.

I did not realize that trucks are limited to 55. Is that posted on their speed limit signs?

 

[MMH]

What interstate are you taking? If I64 or I70 it is far enough from Chicago that you don't have to worry. I got pulled over in Illinois on I64 and the officer could care less about my long guns when it was brought up

I was going to take 80 straight across (going just under Chicago). I can take 70 but that will add some miles to the trip

 

[timeout]

I did not realize that trucks are limited to 55. Is that posted on their speed limit signs?

Yes.

 

[CTanM]

DOT or not

Commercial vehicle or not

They have ZERO right to search a vehicle.

Unless contraband falls out on the ground should you open the door of course....

In Texas we are protected by the castle law. If you can lay your head down and sleep in it.... you can carry a Gatling gun in it haha

Even if you’re discovered to be transporting them.... my experience with law enforcement is they can tell who the good ole boys are. They’ll tell you what nice guns you have and let you roll....

This is America.

 

[DirtySteve]

DOT or not

Commercial vehicle or not

They have ZERO right to search a vehicle.

Unless contraband falls out on the ground should you open the door of course....

In Texas we are protected by the castle law. If you can lay your head down and sleep in it.... you can carry a Gatling gun in it haha

Even if you’re discovered to be transporting them.... my experience with law enforcement is they can tell who the good ole boys are. They’ll tell you what nice guns you have and let you roll....

This is America.

Not to mention we can carry swords.. lol.. Well I am retired but I think Greg said swords and knives are cool.

 

[BoydAllen]

I need to drive to CO & will have guns with me. I will drive through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska & finally Colorado. I will have two rifles (R700 & AR15) and 1000 rounds of ammunition as well as a 9mm. The guns will be inside the truck (in proper cases and locked) and the ammunition will be in the bed of a truck in a locked Jobox. I can remove the bolts for both rifles & the put the pistol in the Jobox. That way, even if the rifles would be 'accessible' (even though the gun case they would be in would be locked), they would be 'inoperable'.

The truck will have DOT numbers on it so I will have to stop at all weigh stations.

Any issues in this - in particular, in going thru IL? I do not have a FOID card. I will not be stopping (not even for fuel - will fuel up just before entering). However, I may have to stop in a weigh station. BTW for me to drive around IL would add 300 miles to the trip.

You might want to print and carry several copies of this federal law with you. It pretty well spells out your rights in this situation.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/926A
I wouldn't guarantee that local police, sheriffs, or highway patrol officers would be familiar with it...but it is the law.

 

[hikfromstik]

You'll be fine in southern Illinois . Its much different than northern Illinois . Lots of farmers and hunters and country folk .

 

[Pheasanthunter]

Yes.

Truck speed limit is same as car 70 mph on interstate except through metro areas then it’s either 55 or 65 whatever is posted

 

[timeout]

Truck speed limit is same as car 70 mph on interstate except through metro areas then it’s either 55 or 65 whatever is posted

Thanks for the update. They must have changed it. I used to go through there quite a bit and signs on Interstate posted 55 mph for over certain weight and trucks with trailers.

 

[Liven The Dream]

I am from Chicago " past tenths "

I would put Obama and Hillary stickers on my Bumper.
The add a couple Mexican Flags .
One tire from a emergency spare tire with half red rim.

On dash one old box from Pop Eyes Chicken and a can of Orange or Grape Soda
I thinks you bees good.

Safe Trip.