SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) plans to introduce legislation in Springfield protecting Illinois gun owners from a major delay by Illinois State Police in processing Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) renewals.

Currently, State Police has 30 days to process FOID renewal applications. Unfortunately, Senator Barickman says, many Illinoisans each year have had their FOID cards expire before State Police processes the renewal application. That leaves them in violation of state law, which requires gun owners to possess a valid FOID card.

Under Barickman's legislation, FOID cards would remain valid for six months following their expiration, as long as the cardholder has proof they have applied for renewal.

"Unfortunately, the State Police backup in processing these applications has left many law-abiding gun owners around the state in a lurch," said Barickman. "Hopefully, this legislation will ease the burden on them and encourage State Police to process these applications more promptly."

94.1 WGFA