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The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution gives people the right to bear arms, however, there are federal and state laws that place specific limits on who actually qualifies to own firearms. Under federal law, the general rule is that a person who has been convicted of a felony cannot own a firearm. This also applies to crimes involving domestic violence or having a serious mental condition. Illinois law goes even further. The following is a brief overview of Illinois gun permit…

The state of Illinois has stringent requirements for any resident wishing to own a gun. The state has certain requirements a person must meet to obtain a Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) card. There are also certain factors that may result in a person being denied a FOID or having a current card revoked. If this has happened to you, do not delay in contacting an Illinois FOID attorney, especially if you currently own guns. High Number of FOID Revocations Not Accounted For According to recent…

At Williams & Nickl, we understand that owning a firearm may be vital to you. For you to legally own a gun or ammunition in Illinois, the state requires that you obtain a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card. The actual FOID card application process is simple. However, if you have a criminal record including a felony conviction, you face additional challenges. We can help you understand the FOID card qualification requirements when you have…

Starting in 2022, the Illinois State Police (ISP) Firearms Services Bureau (FSB) has debuted a new way of getting information relating to a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID) or Conceal Carry Permit (CCL) applications. Changes to the ISP FSB Portal include new notification options, as well as self-serve Kiosks at three locations. “The Illinois State Police Firearms Services Bureau is working diligently to ensure the statutory changes to the FOID Act will benefit the people of Illinois,” stated ISP Director Brendan F….

The Concealed Carry Licensing Review Board, whose function is to consider any objection to an applicant’s eligibility to obtain a Concealed Carry License (CCL), recently explained the various factors causing delay in issuing new licenses. A board member testifying in front of the Senate Executive Appointments Committee provided insights regarding the delay in the processing and review of hundreds of CCL appeals. The Board member offered valuable insight stating that sometimes the delays are the result of a lack of evidence and other…

The Supreme Court of Illinois ruled that felons may apply for restoration of firearms civil rights. The court also described the discretion granted to the director and courts when making their determination. If you’ve been denied a FOID card after a felony conviction, this ruling matters. Background: The Evans v. Cook County State’s Attorney Case In 2021, the Supreme Court of Illinois issued its opinion in Evans v. Cook County State’s Attorney, 2021 IL 125513. Evans considered whether Section 10 of the FOID Card Act automatically and…

In 2021, the Supreme Court of Illinois issued a landmark opinion on FOID card restoration for convicted felons. The case, Evans v. Cook County State’s Attorney, 2021 IL 125513, confirmed that the path to restoration exists. But it also made clear that the path is narrow, and the petition process is demanding. If you’ve been denied a FOID card after a felony conviction, understanding this decision is an important first step. Your next step is building a Section 10 petition that can withstand…