Understanding PICA

For the past 2 years we have heard about PICA (Protect Illinois Communities Act), but everyone still questions what is restricted under this law. The Act regulates the sale and distribution of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines and switches in Illinois.

Under PICA, certain firearms are now prohibited for sale, purchase and transfer within Illinois. PICA prohibits the sale and possession of firearms that fall into the following categories:

1. Semi-automatic rifles with a detachable magazine that have one or more of the following features:

   1. A folding or telescoping stock

   2. A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon

   3. A thumbhole stock

   4. A forward grip

   5. A grenade launcher or flare launcher

   6. A barrel shroud

2. Semi-automatic pistols that have a detachable magazine and possess one or more of the following features:

   1. A threaded barrel

   2. A second pistol grip

   3. A barrel shroud

   4. The capacity to accept a magazine outside of the pistol grip

3. Semi-automatic shotguns with any of the following features:

   1. A folding or telescoping stock

   2. A pistol grip

   3. A fixed magazine capacity exceeding 5 rounds

   4. The ability to accept a detachable magazine

4. Large capacity magazines:

   1. 10 round limit for long guns

   2. 15 round limit for handguns

   
   

Sources:

https://isp.illinois.gov/Home/AssaultWeapons