What Should I Know About a Firearm Owners Identification?

Gun owners in Illinois must have a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) to legally possess weapons and ammunition. Without proper FOID, a person will be subject to legal consequences, including fines and jail time for possessing a firearm illegally. This card is distributed by the Illinois state police and applicants must meet certain criteria to be issued a card.

The first step in the application process is to satisfy the basic requirements. You must have a valid ID or driver’s license, as well as a recent photograph. This photograph should feature your image from the shoulders up and must have been taken within the last 30 days. You also need to provide a $10 fee to have your application processed. Along with the basic requirements, you’ll need to meet certain eligibility criteria.

The eligibility rules for receiving FOID includes a comprehensive list of requirements. Felons are not eligible to apply. You must not have a previous history as a patient in a mental health facility or be intellectually or developmentally disabled. People with existing orders of protection against them are also not eligible, nor are those subject to a narcotics violation within the last five years.

You must also be a legal citizen. Illegal aliens are not permitted to receive FOID until they become a citizen of this country. Additionally, those who were permitted into this country under a non-immigrant visa are also not eligible. Your 5-year criminal history will also be taken into account. People convicted of battery or assault will not receive a FOID. Neither will those convicted of domestic battery, either as a misdemeanor or felony conviction.