State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian is among Illinois lawmakers calling for delays in issuing firearm owners’ identification (FOID) cards to end. Marron says his office has been overwhelmed with calls from constituents experiencing long delays in FOID renewals…
{‘’The U.S. Constitution is pretty clear – we have the right to keep and bear arms. It’s that simple,’’ said Marron. ‘’I think the focus of today beyond the Second Amendment issue, this is about management of a state program – or the mismanagement of a state program. And those arguments are going to continue. …The state needs to take some accountability and start to manage this program, or if not it needs to go away. (It’s) as simple as that,’’ added Marron.}
Representative Marron was speaking at a news conference Wednesday accompanied by some other concerned lawmakers. Marron says while checking on the delays he discovered some disturbing information…
“First of all we’ve learned that this system has been chronically under-staffed. And as far as resources go, between Fiscal Years 2015 and 2019 almost 30-million dollars has been swept out of the funds that manage these programs. That’s no way to manage a state program,’’ said Marron.
Representative Patrick Windhorst of Metropolis is sponsoring a legislative package that would eliminate the FOID requirement altogether. Barring it passing, Windhorst says his agenda reduces costs and regulations for law-abiding citizens. One of his bills would ban local government units from imposing taxes or fees on firearms and ammunition. Another would eliminate a 72-hour wait period for individuals that have been granted a valid license to carry a concealed handgun under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.
