The Illinois State Police (ISP) has released a statement regarding their efforts in getting FOID cards processed.  Actually, the ISP does a good job as long as the person fills out the application correctly.  If you, or whoever helped you, made some mistake on the application you are still in the soup.  If you are an ISRA member, there are two staff members in the office who will help you.  Please do not call on Mondays or before 10am.

One of the ways the ISP has sped up the process is eliminating those with profiting factors.  In 2021, the ISP revoked 17,457 FOID cards.  Many of those deserved to be eliminated.  There is a percentage of the problems that the FOID card holders brought upon themselves because of not paying attention.  These include being brought into court and being told the charges but not actually checking on the fact that the Clerk of the Court actually did it.  The same is true with expungement, being told that after probation is over, charges will be removed from your records.  There are other oversights also but the point is, you have to take care of yourself.  If an attorney is doing it for you, follow up with them.

The longer one of these problems linger, the harder it gets to fix them.  In many cases, it becomes impossible.  People sometimes make mistakes that make it impossible to fix.  For example, they don’t remember who their attorney is, what court they were in, what the charges were and the list goes on.  If you get in some scrape, keep every phone number, note, legal document, contact and anything else pertaining to your case, copy them and keep them separated.  It is amazing what can happen. 

HB3779, the microstamping bill was assigned to the Judiciary Criminal Firearms Safety Subcommittee and will not be moving.  Here is the synopsis as introduced: Amends the Criminal Code of 2012.  Provides that it is a Class 3 felony for a person to knowingly sell, manufacture, purchase, possess, or carry any firearm manufactured on or after January 1, 2022, that is not microstamp-ready, or any firearm manufactured on or after that date if the person knows that a microstamping mechanism has been unlawfully removed from that firearm.  Provides that any person who knowingly or intentionally changes, alters, removes or obliterates the importer's or manufacturer's microstamping mechanism is guilty of a Class 2 felony.

HB5380 was assigned to the House Judiciary Criminal Committee.  Here is a brief synopsis as it was introduced.  Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act (FOID).  Provides that the sale or transfer of firearm ammunition is subject to the Firearm Transfer Inquiry Program (FTIP), requiring a criminal background check by the Illinois State Police, of the person, before the person may acquire firearm ammunition.

HB 2858 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Criminal Committee.  Here is a brief synopsis as it was introduced: The bill amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act.  Lowers the age at which a person may apply for a Firearm Owner's Identification Card from 21 to 18 and provides that a person who is under that age may apply for a Firearm Owner's Identification Card without parental consent required if he or she is an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces.  Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.  Provides that the Department of State Police shall issue a concealed carry license to an applicant who is at least 18 (currently age 21) years of age or is an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces.
Tidbits:

February 18, 2001 - Dale Earnhardt Sr. dies in racing accident.  Earnhardt was 49.

February 18, 2011 - The Green River killer, Gary Ridgway, pleads guilty to his 49th murder.  He is now serving a life sentence with no parole.

February 19, 1942 - President Franklin Roosevelt sends 9906 Japanese Americans to internment camps.

February 19, 1473 - Polish astronomer, Copernicus, concludes the earth spins on its axis once every 24 hours.  Copernicus’s theory wasn’t noticed immediately; if I had been, he would have been dragged before the Roman Inquisition and possibly sentenced to death.

February 20, 1942 - Lt. Edward O’Hare becomes the first American Ace in WWII, shooting down five Japanese bombers in one day.  He was also awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.  Chicago’s O’Hare Field is named to honor him.

February 20, 1792 - President George Washington signs the Postal Service Act making the Post Master General a cabinet level position.

February 22, 1847 - The Battle of Buena Vista.  General Zachary Taylor is surrounded by 15,000 Mexican troops commanded by Mexican General Santa Anna.  Taylor had only 5000 troops but U.S. artillery was superior and drove the Mexican back.  This was a rehearsal for the American Civil War.  General Taylor earned the nick name “Old Rough and Ready”.

February 23. 1945 - United States Marines raise the American Flag on Iwo Jima. 

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Upcoming Events: ISRA Calendar
For more information, visit www.isra.org

Saturday, February 19, 2022
Air Pistol League

Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Tuesday Night Air Rifle League (5:00-8:00)

Saturday & Sunday, February 26 & 27, 2022
Illinois CCL Class – 16 Hours

Gun & Trade Shows

Central IL Gun Collectors New Berlin Gun Show – New Berlin, IL
Sangamon County Fairgrounds
Dates: February 19 & 20, 2022
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-4:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $5.00

Boot City Opry Guns, Knives & Outdoorsman Show – Terre Haute, IN
Boot City Opry
Dates: February 19 & 20, 2022
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $5.00

McHenry County Gun Show – Woodstock, IL
McHenry County Fairgrounds
Date: February 20, 2022
Hours: Sunday: 7:30-1:00
Admission: $5.00

Bloomington Gun & Knife Show – Bloomington, IL
Interstate Center
Dates: February 26 & 27, 2022
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-3:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $6.00