Section 1230.APPENDIX B   List of Assault Weapons Approved for Hunting Use Expressly Permitted Under the Wildlife Code

a)         As used in this Appendix B:

1)         "Centerfire" means a gun that will only fire a round that contains the primer in the center of the cartridge and not in the rim of the cartridge. [520 ILCS 5/1.2aa]

2)         "Migratory game birds" means all wild species of ducks, geese, swans, doves, pigeons, cranes, rails, coots, gallinules, woodcocks, and snipes consistent with 50 CFR 20.11.

3)         "Near" means adjacent, nearby, or in close proximity.

4)         "Single shot" means a gun that is either manufactured or modified to only be capable of holding a total of one round in the magazine and chamber combined. Firearms shall be considered single shot if there is no magazine in possession of or near a hunter in the field, and the firearm can only hold a total of one round.  Assault rifles may be modified to be a single shot firearm, for example by removing the internal magazine springs and follower, using a plug to block the magazine tube, using a "0 round" magazine, or otherwise modifying the receiver or internal magazine of the rifle. "Single shot" does not include:

A)        A rifle in the possession of a person who is also in possession of or in close proximity to a magazine that would allow the rifle to be capable of holding more than one round; or

B)        A revolver. A gun shall be considered single shot if there is no magazine in the possession of or in close proximity to a hunter in the field and the gun can only hold a total of one round. [520 ILCS 5/1.2bb]

b)         This Appendix sets forth those weapons that are approved for hunting use expressly permitted under the Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5] and was compiled in consultation with the Department of Natural Resources. [720 ILCS 5/24-1.9] This list is not exhaustive and is not intended to prohibit hunting with a firearm that otherwise meets the definition of assault weapon as defined by Section 24-1.9(a)(1) of the Criminal Code of 2012 [720 ILCS 5/24-1.9(a)(1)] if such firearm is in compliance with the hunting requirements within the Wildlife Code. 

1)         Shotguns as set forth in subsection (b)(12) are permitted for hunting cock pheasant, Hungarian partridge, bobwhite quail, wild turkey, crow, and migratory game birds if the shotgun meets the gauge or caliber, ammunition, and number of rounds limitations pursuant to the Wildlife Code and as set forth by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in Title 17 of the Illinois Administrative Code.

2)         All assault weapons set forth in Section 1230.Appendix A are permitted for hunting raccoon, opossum, striped skunk, red fox, gray fox, bobcat, squirrels, and woodchuck (groundhog), coyote, cottontail and swamp rabbit, and wild swine if the weapon meets the gauge or caliber, ammunition, and number of rounds limitations pursuant to the Wildlife Code and as set forth by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in Title 17 of the Illinois Administrative Code.

3)         All assault weapons set forth in Section 1230.Appendix A are permitted for hunting white tailed deer if the weapon meets the gauge or caliber, ammunition and centerfire single shot limitations pursuant to Section 2.25 of the Wildlife Code and as set forth by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in Title 17 of the Illinois Administrative Code. Hunters may not be in possession of or near a magazine that can alter the rifle to no longer meet the definition of single shot.

4)         No assault weapon set forth in Section 1230.Appendix A is permitted for hunting beaver, badger, river otter, weasel, mink and muskrat.  For additional information regarding trapping of such wildlife please refer to the Wildlife Code and the administrative rules adopted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in Title 17 of the Illinois Administrative Code.

c)         Notwithstanding subsection (b), all assault weapons approved for hunting are subject to existing laws under the Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5] and rules under Title 17 of the Illinois Administrative Code, including, but not limited to, the number of rounds permitted in, a magazine and chamber combined; the Illinois Department of Natural Resources site specific rules; caliber of weapon, type of ammunition, and circumstances under which the weapon can be used to hunt a specific species; and the season when wildlife may be taken.  (See also 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510, 530, 550, 570, 590, 650, 660, 675, 680, 690, 710, 715, 730, and 740).

d)         Notwithstanding subsections (b) and (c), possession of assault weapons must be compliant with the Protecting Illinois Communities Act (P.A. 102-1116) and the administrative rules required by such Act, including but not limited to the electronic endorsement affidavit requirement as set forth in Section 1230.15(b)(3).

e)         This list shall be updated annually in rule and will be available and updated regularly on the Illinois State Police website.

(Source:  Added at 48 Ill. Reg. 2881, effective February 8, 2024)