DECATUR, IL- Two central Illinois lawmakers say they want to change laws regarding the use of Fire Arms Owner Identification, or FOID, cards.
Republican State Representative Adam Brown of Decatur says right now a FOID card lasts 10 years before expiring and people forget about renewing their cards all the time.
Representative Brown would like to simply remove the expiration date on those cards and make them last for a lifetime. He says it would be a lot easier for gun owners and would not put people in a situation where they are violating gun laws.
"You have to register that FOID card every ten years, pay another fee every ten years as well: I don't like that route," Brown said Thursday. "I think a lifetime FOID card would be more reasonable. It would keep the law abiding citizens under the scope of our law and protect our second amendment rights as well."
Representative Brown also wants to extend the grace period new citizens to the state have to obtain a FOID card. Currently, people who move to the state must obtain the card immediately. Brown would like people to have a six month grace period just like when they obtain a drivers license as a new resident.
Meanwhile, State Senator Sam McCann (R-Carlinville) has introduced a bill that would completely repeal FOID cards. The senator says FOID cards don't stop criminals from getting their hands on guns.
Both bills have been filed and have to make it through legislative committees. If they pass in committee, then they could come up for a full vote in the house and senate later this year.
