Illinois has backlog for firearm owner permits

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois State Police say they have a backlog of tens of thousands of applications for Firearms Owner Identification cards.

The agency received more than 28,600 applications for FOID cards during April. That’s on top of a backlog of nearly 76,000 applications. The card is one of the state’s prerequisites to own a firearm. The State Journal-Register reported that state law requires Illinois State Police to approve or deny applications within 30 days.

But state police Lt. Darrin Clark says the FOID department is understaffed and dealing with a flood of applications. He says that makes it difficult to meet deadlines.

One applicant, Claus Bacher of New Berlin, says he waited nearly 100 days for his permit. National Rifle Association lobbyist Todd Vandermyde says that wait time is a problem.