Here is what is going on that brought on this question:
A friend at work and some of his coworkers wanted to hunt squirrels with air rifles and wanted to know how to go about it.

I said they would need a hunting license, and some air-guns are treated as fire-arms in IL.

What they have found out so far is that 700+FPS requires a FOID, born after 1981 requires a hunter safety class and that to legally own his air rifle requires a 16 hour course and around $500 in overall training and license costs. To transport his gun needs a locked hard case.

I hate disinformation, and I hate bullshit; some of what was said is true, most is only half true or complete crap. Please help me set him on the right path here.

What I believe is correct:
powerful air-rifles=fire-arms, true, sometimes, depending on velocity and caliber.
hunter safety course for those born after 1981, sounds like something we would do in IL.
16 hour course to own gun, sounds silly, maybe the hunter safety course and the 16 hour course are the same, but hunter safety just to buy or own a gun?

Bottom line is none of them are hunting squirrels tomorrow.

Your list sounds like a couple of small truths and some exaggerated untruths.

I think they're confusing a hunting license with a concealed carry license.

Another example, there is no requirement anywhere I've seen in IL law or regulations requiring "locked" cases.

http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/GettingStarted.aspx

http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/safety/Pages/HunterSafety.aspx



http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/LPR/Pages/AllLicensesPermitsPrivileges.aspx

I believe it's correct that airguns over 700fps require a FOID and are otherwise handled like a firearm as far as needing to be transported in a case or container.

hunters safety is free i believe.

but also if he is going to go with someone with a valid licence he can get an apprentice licence for the time being

There is no longer a FPS requirement on air guns so long as the caliber is under .18.  The adjusted the "and" to "or."  So no FOID card needed unless you go above the .18.  

I went with my Dad to Cabela's earlier this summer and he bought one that was around 1200 fps, checked out at the front as if it was any other non-restricted item.

As of July, 2012:



http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0776

Actually, that "or" means there is a velocity aspect to consider...If it is over .18" in diameter OR has a velocity over 700 FPS you need a FOID.  It can be confusing...and goofy!

I think Petes1552 is correct.  The ILGA's "or" says:

if the muzzle velocity is less than 700 fps OR if the projectile diameter is less than or equal to .18"

it's not a firearm.  

The inverse of that statement, i.e. what identifies a firearm, is:

if the muzzle velocity is greater than or equal to 700 fps AND if the projectile diameter is greater than or equal to .18"

My college logic teacher would be mad at me for not showing all my work.



So, not only can you have a high-velocity pellet gun, the law as written means you can have a low-velocity large-caliber pellet gun.  A .50 cal pellet gun with a max fps under 700 would be legal under the 2012 update.

In real world application.
A .22 Cal airgun of any velocity= FOID
A .177 Cal airgun with Velocity over 700 FPS= FOID.

i think its this.

so, if it is less than .18 inch in diameter= no FOID....If it exceeds .18 inch in diameter= FOID.

OR

or which has a maximum muzzle velocity of less than 700 feet per second

So, if it has max muzzle velocity less than 700 feet per second = no FOID...If it exceeds 700 FPS = FOID

The key word is OR!  It is two separate qualifiers...not one contingent upon the other since they removed the AND

I guess Cabela's has it wrong then, if they sold a 1200 fps air gun to an Illinois resident without a FOID.

It would be easy to get it wrong...changing one little word and....How would they even know about any changes in the law...It is goofy no matter how you read it!

Good info here, in the past I bought 2 air guns with 1200 fps with no special handling at cabelas as well. I don't know if anyone has a clear picture beyond that Chicago does not want the peasants armed with more than torches and pitch-forks.

Thanks for all the replys.