SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - A bill has been introduced that would require Illinois State Police to search someone's social media accounts before allowing them to legally own and purchase guns.
HB0888 is sponsored by Rep. Daniel Didech and Rep. Jonathan Carroll.
The bill amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act.
Police would "conduct a search of the purchasers' social media accounts available to the public to determine if there is any information that would disqualify the person from obtaining or require revocation of a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card."
Anyone who wants to apply for a FOID card would have to give state police a list of every social media account they have. This determines if an applicant will get a FOID card or revoked if they already have one. Governor JB Pritzker said he didn't know much about the bill.
"I want to make sure gun safety legislation is reasonable legislation put in place. I'll have to review that particular piece," the Governor said.
One Central Illinoisan gun owner and owner of a gun shop, isn't on board with the issued bill.
"Who's going to make that judgement? What's the parameter? What are they looking for?" Dan Cooley asked.
Cooley, owns Bullet Trap in Macon. Cooley said he believes giving authorities a list of social media sites invades applicant's privacy.
"We've been vetted," Cooley said. "Any one who has FOID card has been vetted through criminal background system, the mental health system in Illinois."
Cooley said he understands the intent behind the bill but believes it is not the right way to go about it.
"What I would like to see is more enforcement on the violators," Cooley suggested.
The bill was referred to the Rules Committee on Jan. 28.
