SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — An Illinois Democrat proposal would add a fee to give more money to a law enforcement fund that helps take away guns from citizens after their FOID card has been revoked.
Under the Firearms Transfer Inquiry Program, any time a gun dealer or trader calls the Illinois State Police, they are charged a $2 or less fee. The fee is in place in order to pay the telephone service provided by ISP.
The plan would change that fee to $10, with $4 going into the State Police Revocation Enforcement Fund. ISP use this fund to give grants to local law enforcement to help take guns away from citizens that have had their FOID card revoked.
"We have tens of thousands of firearms out there from individuals who've had their FOID card revoked," State Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Highland Park) said. "Frankly law enforcement just struggles without the resources to recover these."
The plan is opposed by the Illinois State Rifle Association who said the bill is possibly unconstitutional, and the revocation fund should be funded by the budget.
Alongside in opposition were House Republicans, who in the gun violence prevention committee criticized the Democrat proposal, saying the problem arises with the FOID card itself.
"Look, other states don't have FOID's so they don't have this revocation and going after the firearms they go after firearms when crimes are committed," State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) said. "I believe it's good to go after illegal held firearms but a crime has to be committed for us to go after those."
This bill has received support from the Illinois State Police saying they are happy to work with State Rep. Morgan on the plan. The legislation is in committee, where lawmakers could vote on it in the coming weeks.
Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
