By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – A new proposal would put the Illinois State Police on the clock to make decisions a resident’s Firearm Owners Identification, or FOID card.
In Illinois, a FOID card is required for a resident to own, buy or handle a gun and ammunition. If an applicant is denied a card by the Illinois State Police, which administers the card program, the resident able to appeal the denial, but there is currently no timetable for addressing appeals.
Danville Republican state Rep. Dan Caulkins’ legislation would require that process to happen in 60 business days.
“I have two constituents that have been waiting for more than two years,” he said.
Approval or denial of a FOID card entails background checks, but Caulkins said some applicants have been denied for trivial reasons.
“Even if it’s an honest mistake like you check one of those boxes the wrong way by accident,” he said.
When asked about if 60 days may be too tight of a timeframe for the Illinois State Police to do due diligence, Caulkins said there needs to be some kind of time limit.
“Then what is acceptable?” he asked. “Is it 70 days, 80 days, 90 days? Tell me what it is? At this point, it’s taking years.”
An Illinois State Police spokeswoman said the agency doesn’t comment on pending legislation.
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