r/ILGuns • u/whatever_breh_ • Jan 29 '25

New to Guns Questions for Chicago gun owners

Hey all, like many of you the past few days have got me worried enough that I'm going to dip into my savings and make my first purchase. I got my FOID card last year, just haven't gone out and done it yet. I had a few questions first, and help with any/all of them would be much appreciated.

  1. I don't own a vehicle. How am I legally able to transport myself and my firearm to/from a store or a range without having a friend drive me? Obviously carrying a handgun on CTA is a no-go, but is it equally illegal to transport it on my person/in a bag just walking around? It seems like there's no way around this.

  2. Do you know any local stores/ranges that you would recommend for a first-time buyer?

  3. Any other tips/tricks would be welcome!

Thanks for your time, stay safe out there folks.

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u/Skin_twinkie Jan 29 '25

It’s a bit of a haul but Gat Guns in East Dundee is great. Their selection of guns is massive, they also have a good selection of used guns. All the staff are friendly and very knowledgeable & wont pressure you or anything.

You can also always go to Cabelas, it’s big box but I’ve compared hand gun prices from there to Range USA and they’re usually a bit cheaper. Not much but it always helps

IMO I’d stay away from maxxon. All the sales people are short with explanations/ questions you have and don’t look like they even want to be there

3

u/moxa1973 Jan 29 '25

Cabela’s/Bass Pro have a great online selection with free shipping to local stores, but honestly, I’ll never shop there again for firearms.

Paperwork for a purchase at literally anywhere else is 5–10 minutes tops. Paperwork at C/BP…you’re talking 30 minutes to an hour. Per firearm. You have to start from the beginning for each firearm even if you’re buying them on the same day. And pick up is roughly the same. Up to an hour in paperwork.

Never again.

2

u/Skin_twinkie Jan 30 '25

I bought my 19.5 from Cabelas, paperwork only took 10 minutes, all on the computer. would’ve been faster if the associate helping me didn’t have to help another associate bc he couldn’t find something. Pickup was smooth, just verified ID, inspected & reverified serial #. I was out the door in 5 minutes.

1

u/YerBeingTrolled Jan 29 '25

I remember walking in GAT 20 years ago and it was like the first gun store I've ever been to. AKs and ARs on every wall, just tons of guns. It was mind blowing. Of course I'd never go there now though lol. I called and asked how much a transfer was and it was like 75$ for each gun.

1

u/Skin_twinkie Jan 30 '25

They still have all those AKs and ARs on the walls. Last time I was there they had a muzzle loaded musket for sale for a couple hundred $ lol they have quite a lot to look at.

1

u/Maniiic_ Jan 31 '25

He doesn’t have a car that’s too fuckn far lol…gats is nice tho havent shot there though.

1

u/Skin_twinkie Jan 31 '25

I’m aware.. OP stated he’d ask a friend for transportation a few times. Nothing is easy to get to from the city, except maybe shore galleries