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AR15.COM
2/7/2026 6:57:19 PM EDT
My brother who lives in Illinois passed away and his wife wants to get rid of his firearms, both long & hand guns. What rules are there for transferring them to a family member?  His wife has a FOID and one of my bothers in ILL does as well, can the firearms be transferred, legally, between family members w/o going through an FFL?
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. - Thomas Jefferson
2/7/2026 10:52:24 PM EDT
[#1]
Transfers to close, in-state family members does not require a FOID check (or FFL), but the recipient must still have a valid FOID. The idea behind the exemption is that you already known about the status of a family member's FOID. The firearm must be transferable (i.e., not prohibited/registered by PICA).

"Close" is defined by law as husband, wife, son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, brother, sister, nephew, niece, uncle, aunt, grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, or daughter-in-law.

Transfers across state lines requires going through an FFL, even for family.


How they going to know.
2/11/2026 11:21:43 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote History
Originally Posted By ARMALITE-FAN:
Transfers to close, in-state family members does not require a FOID check (or FFL), but the recipient must still have a valid FOID. The idea behind the exemption is that you already known about the status of a family member's FOID. The firearm must be transferable (i.e., not prohibited/registered by PICA).

"Close" is defined by law as husband, wife, son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, brother, sister, nephew, niece, uncle, aunt, grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, or daughter-in-law.

Transfers across state lines requires going through an FFL, even for family.


How they going to know.
View Quote

Thanks for the explanation, I appreciate it.
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. - Thomas Jefferson

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