Waiting For An Illinois Firearms’ Owner’s Card? Get In Line A Very Long Line
CBS Chicago 5/4/2021 Syndicated Local – CBS Chicago
CHICAGO (CBS) If you’re waiting on firearms owner’s ID or concealed carry applications in Illinois, you are far from alone: The current backlog is thousands of applications long.
In December, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly called the system “antiquated, outdated, inefficient.”
So what’s being done to fix it?
CBS2 Investigator Megan Hickey reports, that according to Kelly, lawmakers will have to help fix the system. But passing bills to change the roughly 50-year-old system has proven difficult.
WBGZ Radio 4/16/2021 |
By Greg Bishop - Illinois Radio Network
Republicans and Democrats at the Illinois statehouse acknowledge something has to be done about the state’s Firearm Owner Identification card and Illinois State Police officials say they have the answer.
The state’s FOID card has been around since the 1960s. Illinois is the only state in the region that requires residents to possess a state-issued FOID card. Several years ago, the state was mandated by the courts to create a process for people to legally carry firearms and lawmakers approved a Concealed Carry License.
But, for more than a year there have been backlogs in applications being processed in the tens of thousands. Even state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, gets calls about the backlogs.
by Greg Bishop, The Center Square | April 15, 2021 02:00 PM Print this article
Republicans and Democrats at the Illinois statehouse acknowledge something has to be done about the state’s Firearm Owner Identification card and Illinois State Police officials say they have the answer.
The state’s FOID card has been around since the 1960s. Illinois is the only state in the region that requires residents to possess a state-issued FOID card. Several years ago, the state was mandated by the courts to create a process for people to legally carry firearms and lawmakers approved a Concealed Carry License.
But, for more than a year there have been backlogs in applications being processed in the tens of thousands. Even state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, gets calls about the backlogs.
Koehler addresses legislation to modernize FOID cards
Submitted News
SPRINGFIELD –Wednesday morning, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) held a press conference alongside State Representative Jay Hoffman (D-Belleville) and Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly to discuss his legislation to modernize Firearms Owner Identification cards in Illinois.
“Our goal is to ensure that we are keeping firearms out of the hands of people who are a danger to themselves and others,” Koehler said. “Our goal is not, however, to hassle safe, responsible gun owners. Through the modernization and streamlining of the FOID card process, I believe we can successfully accomplish both of our objectives.”
On Wednesday morning, State Senator Dave Koehler held a press conference alongside State Representative Jay Hoffman and Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly to discuss his legislation to modernize Firearms Owner Identification cards in Illinois.
“Our goal is to ensure that we are keeping firearms out of the hands of people who are a danger to themselves and others,” Koehler said. “Our goal is not, however, to hassle safe, responsible gun owners. Through the modernization and streamlining of the FOID card process, I believe we can successfully accomplish both of our objectives.”
Senate Bill 1165, an initiative of the ISP, would create a prohibited persons portal to help law enforcement identify people whose FOID cards have been revoked, create a review board to respond to revocations and denials, and make other significant changes to make the process more efficient.