Is selling my firearm to WeBuyGuns.com legal in Illinois?

Yes. We are a federally licensed firearms dealer located in the state of Indiana. You, the seller, are covered under our license just as you would be if you walked into our store. There are no laws preventing you from selling your firearm to us.

Can I sell a firearm I do not have the original box or paperwork?

Yes. In most cases we only need clear photos and accurate details so we can make a documented offer. If anything else is needed, we will tell you during the review.

Does WeBuyGuns.com purchase multiple firearms, collections or estates?

Absolutely! Once firearm information has been submitted, you will have the ability to submit additional firearms for review and offers. These firearms will be viewable from your user panel, which you access from your initial offer email. If you have a large number of firearms or an estate, it is best to contact us directly (to save you time).

We will either send you a check, or we will issue the funds via a secure ACH direct deposit. During the offer approval process, you will tell us which method of payment you prefer.

What if I inherited firearms and don’t know much about them?

Inherited firearms are common. You can start by sending photos or a simple list of items and we’ll help identify what you have, explain what affects value and guide you through the next steps before anything is shipped.

Do I need a FOID card to sell a firearm in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois requires sellers to possess a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card when transferring a firearm. In private sales, sellers must also verify the buyer’s FOID status. When selling to a federally licensed buyer like WeBuyGuns, we handle the required verification and documentation as part of the transfer.

Is there a waiting period when selling a gun in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois enforces a mandatory waiting period between the initiation of a firearm transfer and delivery. When selling through a licensed dealer, this waiting period is automatically observed as part of the compliant transfer process.

Can I sell a firearm privately to another Illinois resident?

Illinois allows private sales, but sellers are responsible for verifying FOID eligibility, observing the waiting period, and maintaining records of the transfer. Many sellers choose to work with a licensed buyer to avoid mistakes that could result in legal exposure.

I inherited firearms in Illinois. What steps are required before selling?

Inherited firearms in Illinois are subject to FOID requirements and transfer documentation. Depending on how the firearms were acquired, additional steps may apply. Selling the collection to a licensed buyer allows the transfer to be properly documented without navigating multiple state forms or timelines.

Sell Guns Illinois

Published: June 25, 2024 | Updated: February 14, 2026

Sell Your Gun in Illinois - Fast, Legal & Hassle-Free

We purchase firearms statewide from Chicago to Springfield — through a fully licensed, online process designed to make selling your firearm compliant with Illinois law and straightforward from start to finish.

Trusted by 40,000+ sellers · 860+ Google reviews · Over $4.5M paid out to users

Submit your firearm for a free cash offer

Looking to understand Illinois's private transfer laws before selling? Read our Illinois legal guide →

We have purchased 559 firearms from sellers across Illinois through our streamlined, fully licensed online process.

Illinois firearm sales come with additional requirements, including FOID verification, mandatory waiting periods, and documented transfers. Rather than coordinating private buyers or navigating state-specific compliance steps on your own, we provide a licensed, documented sale that satisfies Illinois requirements and permanently transfers ownership out of your name.

We provide Free offers Fast Payment Fully licensed process Free insured shipping Bill of sale U.S.-based customer support

Recent examples of firearms we purchased from Illinois sellers

Shotgun

Remington

Auto 5/ 11 The Sportsman

12 ga • Good Condition

Purchased for $300

Completed Feb 2026

Handgun

Military Arms Corp

MEUSOC

.45 ACP • Excellent Condition

Purchased for $400

Completed Jan 2026

Handgun

Smith & Wesson

5946

9mm • Good Condition

Purchased for $300

Completed Jan 2026

Shotgun

Remington

870 Police Magnum

12 Gauge • Excellent Condition

Purchased for $500

Completed Jan 2026

Shotgun

Benelli

Super Black Eagle 3

12g • Good Condition

Purchased for $1,000

Completed Jan 2026

Handgun

Ruger

New Bearcat

22lr • Excellent Condition

Purchased for $400

Completed Jan 2026

Shotgun

Browning

Cynergy CX

12g • Good Condition

Purchased for $700

Completed Jan 2026

Handgun

Smith And Wesson

686+ 7 Shot

357 Magnum • Excellent Condition

Purchased for $500

Completed Jan 2026

Reviews from Illinois Sellers

John Kolkmeyer

★★★★★ Jan 13, 2026

Worked with Chris and team on selling a few guns. Great to work with, fair pricing and super quick turnaround around.

EDWIN LEFKOVITZ

★★★★★ Aug 21, 2025

Extremely Easy Process higher price paid then other sites I recommend highly

Scott Parker

★★★★★ Aug 19, 2025

Positive experience. Everything took place the way it was supposed to in a timely manor. Would recommend this business.

Ronald Renken

★★★★★ Jul 25, 2024

follow up was fantastic, i screwed the form up on the web. webuyguns called me so we could finish the sale. Thank You

Anthony Lenard

★★★★★ Jun 7, 2024

Fast with great communication

Rex Gregory

★★★★★ May 24, 2024

Needed to sell one of my guns. These guys were great. Offered me a good price and the process was quick and easy.

Get a free, no-obligation offer on your firearm

Major Illinois metros we serve

If you can ship a package from Illinois, you can sell directly to us.

We specialize in assessing and buying high-value collections and estates from Illinois residents, including WWII Collectibles, Machine Guns and Pre-Ban Firearms.

Compare your options

Ways to sell a gun in Illinois

Most sellers in Illinois compare local shops, pawn shops, auctions and private sales. The tradeoffs usually come down to price, time and legal responsibility. Below is a quick breakdown, plus a side-by-side comparison.

Local gun shops

Convenient if you want to drop it off in person, but offers can vary widely and many shops price for resale margin.

• Fast in-person option
• Offers depend on current inventory
• You may need to visit many shops

Pawn shops

Usually the quickest route, but commonly the lowest payout since the goal is short-term resale or loans, not market matching.

• Very fast
• Lowest typical offers
• Limited firearm expertise

Auctions / consignment

Can work for collectible firearms, but sales timelines are unpredictable and final payouts depend on demand, fees and whether the item sells.

• Weeks to months to complete sale
• Commissions reduce final payout
• No guaranteed sale price

Private sale

Private sales can avoid dealer fees, but require listings, meetups and handling compliance yourself.

• Must meet buyers in person
• Highest legal compliance risk
• Time spent listing and negotiating

WeBuyGuns.com

Licensed online buyer

Sell from home with a federally licensed buyer. All transactions are handled through a licensed firearms dealer, with shipping and transfer completed in compliance with applicable laws.

• No listings or stranger meetups
• Free shipping & clear instructions
• Licensed, compliant process
• Fast payment

How We Buy Guns compares to other ways to sell

Option	Typical offer	Time to payment	Convenience	Legal risk
Local gun shop In-person sale	Often lower (local resale only)	Same day (varies)	In-person & expect negotiation	Low
Pawn shop Fast cash	Low	Same day	In-person visit required	Low
Auctions / consignment Higher upside, more wait	Variable (fees apply)	Weeks to months	Drop-off, paperwork, waiting	Moderate
Private sale / classifieds You handle everything	Variable	Unpredictable	Meetups, negotiation, messaging	High
WeBuyGuns.com Licensed online buyer	Often much higher We make offers based on the national market	Issued same day when we receive the firearm	No travelNo hassle, no haggling	Very low We handle compliance

Our process for firearm sellers in Illinois

Our process is designed to help Illinois sellers complete a legally compliant, documented sale with clear steps fast offer turnaround and fast payment.

Tell us what you have: Use our offer submission form. Share the make, model and condition, along with photos of the firearm, optics, accessories and any markings that affect value.
Get a fast and free offer: We review the details and provide a written offer based on the firearm, configuration and current demand, usually within 24 hours.
Ship with clear instructions: If you accept our offer, we provide a prepaid shipping label and clear, step-by-step instructions so your firearm is packaged and shipped correctly.
Get paid quickly: Once received and inspected, we issue payment using the method selected during checkout and finalize the documented transfer.

Compliance note: All firearms are transferred and processed through our Federal Firearms License (FFL). If your item has special considerations (NFA items, inherited firearms, unusual configurations), we’ll walk you through what applies and what to expect before you ship anything.

Have questions about the process, how to get started, or your specific firearms?

Call us at (317) 804-8713

Our track record

We are trusted by firearm sellers nationwide

Sell with confidence — no hassle and no hidden fees. Our streamlined process has facilitated thousands of firearms transactions nationwide, paying out over $4.5 million to users on our platform.

Sellers on the platform: 40,000+
Paid out to sellers: $4.5 Million

We purchase firearms and ensure compliance in every state, including Illinois: Fast nationwide service
All transactions are handled by firearms professionals to ensure legal compliance: Licensed FFL with a class 3 SOT

What our most recent customers have to say

Sammie Holt

★★★★★ Feb 14, 2026

The process was simple and easy the help that I received from Chris was amazing so if I ever want to sell another weapon it will definitely be to you guys

Lhaleymusic

★★★★★ Feb 14, 2026

Super fast communication

Super fast payment

Always fair with no shenanigans

James Earley

★★★★★ Feb 14, 2026

Process moved very well. Will participate again

Done three, likely will again.. Did again, made it four. Still good.

As usual well done, although I believe the offer cou;d have been a little bit higher....

Fourth sale, would do again. Smooth operation, excellent follow-up from Chris...

Excellent program, well run....

Start your free offer Read more customer reviews

Frequently asked questions

If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, reach out to customer support or View all FAQs

Is selling my firearm to WeBuyGuns.com legal in Illinois?: Yes. We are a federally licensed firearms dealer located in the state of Indiana. You, the seller, are covered under our license just as you would be if you walked into our store. There are no laws preventing you from selling your firearm to us.
Can I sell a firearm I do not have the original box or paperwork?: Yes. In most cases we only need clear photos and accurate details so we can make a documented offer. If anything else is needed, we will tell you during the review.
How long are offers good for?: Offers are valid for 14 days.
Does WeBuyGuns.com purchase multiple firearms, collections or estates?: Absolutely! Once firearm information has been submitted, you will have the ability to submit additional firearms for review and offers. These firearms will be viewable from your user panel, which you access from your initial offer email. If you have a large number of firearms or an estate, it is best to contact us directly (to save you time).
How do I get paid?: We will either send you a check, or we will issue the funds via a secure ACH direct deposit. During the offer approval process, you will tell us which method of payment you prefer.
What if I inherited firearms and don’t know much about them?: Inherited firearms are common. You can start by sending photos or a simple list of items and we’ll help identify what you have, explain what affects value and guide you through the next steps before anything is shipped.
Do I need a FOID card to sell a firearm in Illinois?: Yes. Illinois requires sellers to possess a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card when transferring a firearm. In private sales, sellers must also verify the buyer’s FOID status. When selling to a federally licensed buyer like WeBuyGuns, we handle the required verification and documentation as part of the transfer.
Is there a waiting period when selling a gun in Illinois?: Yes. Illinois enforces a mandatory waiting period between the initiation of a firearm transfer and delivery. When selling through a licensed dealer, this waiting period is automatically observed as part of the compliant transfer process.
Can I sell a firearm privately to another Illinois resident?: Illinois allows private sales, but sellers are responsible for verifying FOID eligibility, observing the waiting period, and maintaining records of the transfer. Many sellers choose to work with a licensed buyer to avoid mistakes that could result in legal exposure.
I inherited firearms in Illinois. What steps are required before selling?: Inherited firearms in Illinois are subject to FOID requirements and transfer documentation. Depending on how the firearms were acquired, additional steps may apply. Selling the collection to a licensed buyer allows the transfer to be properly documented without navigating multiple state forms or timelines.

Start your free offer

Licensed process • Shipping guidance • Fast payment