The Saga of the 17-Round Magazine: Illinois Edition (Because Apparently, 15 is the New 17)
Ah, Illinois. Land of Lincoln, deep dish pizza, and...confusing gun laws? Listen, we all know the drill. You just inherited a sweet pistol from Uncle Joe (thanks, Uncle Joe!), and it comes with a trusty 17-round magazine. But then, you remember that Illinois has a thing about, well, things with a lot of ammo. So, can you keep your 17-round friend or is it destined for a life on the black market run by squirrels (seriously, those things are resourceful)?
 |
| Can I Keep My 17 Round Magazine In Illinois |
Buckle Up, Buttercup, It's Not a Simple Yes or No
The good news: Illinois doesn't have a blanket ban on 17-round magazines. You can breathe a sigh of relief (and maybe unload that imaginary clip while you're at it...safety first!). The not-so-great news: There are some hoops to jump through, like a poodle at a Westminster dog show.
QuickTip: Note key words you want to remember.
Here's the skinny: As of January 2023, Illinois considers magazines that hold more than 10 rounds for long guns and 15 rounds for pistols to be Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Devices (don't you just love legalese?). That means you can't buy or sell these bad boys in the state anymore. But wait! If you already owned those fancy high-capacity magazines before the law changed, you get a "grandfather clause" exemption. Basically, you can keep them, but with some limitations.
QuickTip: Read line by line if it’s complex.
 |
Living With Your Legacy Magazines: A Guide
- Use it, don't lose it: You can still use your 17-round magazine for target shooting at a range or for home defense on your property. Just make sure it's unloaded and separate from your firearm during transport.
- Public carry? Not with that much ammo: If you have a concealed carry permit, you can't carry your pistol loaded with a magazine that holds more than 15 rounds.
- Sharing is not caring (or maybe not legal): You can't sell or give away your high-capacity magazines to anyone else in Illinois.
So, to answer your burning question: Yes, you can keep your 17-round magazine in Illinois, but with restrictions.
QuickTip: Read a little, pause, then continue.
FAQ: Because Lawyers Love Questions (and We Like to Keep Things Simple)
- How to transport my high-capacity magazine? Unloaded and separate from your firearm.
- How can I use my high-capacity magazine? Target shooting at a range or home defense on your property (unloaded during transport).
- How do I know if my magazine is legal? If you owned it before January 10, 2023, you're probably good.
- How can I get more high-capacity magazines? Not in Illinois, my friend. Gotta head to a state with looser laws (and maybe a more relaxed attitude towards squirrels).
- How do I stay up-to-date on gun laws? Check the Illinois State Police website or consult a lawyer (because navigating legalese is a lawyer's superpower).
There you have it, folks! The saga of the 17-round magazine, hopefully untangled. Remember, when in doubt, consult a lawyer (because trust me, they'll love explaining the legalese in excruciating detail). Now, go forth and enjoy your (responsible) gun ownership!
QuickTip: A quick skim can reveal the main idea fast.
 |
