Illinois State Police Extend Comment Period for Proposed FOID Card Age Restriction!

As previously reported, the Illinois State Police has proposed a new regulation that would set an age requirement for the issuance of a FOID card with a parent’s consent.  Simply put, there is no need to establish such a limitation as a child with a FOID card cannot legally purchase a rifle or shotgun until age 18 or a handgun until age 21.  

This proposal will have a dramatically negative impact on law-abiding gun owners and the future of recreational shooting.  With firearm-related accidental fatalities at an all-time low, including among children, depriving access to safety training for children is reckless public policy.  Without a FOID card, children will not be able to take firearm safety courses that include the handing of firearms.

Potentially endangering children by depriving them of access to safety lessons is simply irresponsible.  Further, requiring gun owners to store firearms so that they are inaccessible will mean criminals will have a distinct advantage when they break into homes.

Please continue to contact the ISP to express your disapproval of this unwarranted regulation.  In your comments, be sure to ask ISP legal counsel John Hosteny to share your objections with the members of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR), the committee that will determine if this rule is to be enacted.  Please address comments to:

Mr. John M. Hosteny
Interim Chief Legal Counsel
Illinois State Police
801 South 7th Street
Suite 1000-S
P.O. Box 19461
Springfield, IL 61794-9461