According to an audit report, the backlog for Concealed Carry Licences (CCL) and Firearm Operation Identification (FOID) cards extends well beyond the pandemic.
The report from the Illinois Audit General looks at the years 2018 and 2019.
For FOID cards, the percentage of applications not processed was 10% in 2018 and grew to 23% in 2019.
For CCL’s, it rose from 6% to 50% in the respective years.
Aim 2 Shoot owner, Doug Schmigdall, wants the cards scrapped entirely.
“If the state police have a system that doesn’t work, make it work or get rid of the system,” Schmidgall said.
According to state statute, new applications must be approved/denied within 30 days, renewals 60 days.
“I’ve had people that have waited over a year to get theirs,” Schmidgall said. “We have had to call state representatives from one side of the state to the other to get it done.“
The audit shows new applications were not processed until an average of 22 days later, and renewals averaged 46 days.
“They need to make it a point to meet deadlines for these people who are just trying to utilize their constitutionally protected second amendment rights,” said Senator Steve McClure, R-Springfield.
Waiting for a proper firearm license is already time-consuming enough. Now finding out these statistics, the outrage is well-warranted.
For anyone fortunate enough to receive their proper license(s) in their respective state, be grateful you are not in the position of these folks enduring so many obstacles to utilize their right to the 2nd Amendment.
On behalf of the audit, one can only hope that new and experienced gun owners will not have to wait an extreme amount of valuable time for the right to keep and bear arms in the coming years.
