General Information on FOID Cards

In ILLINOIS (and basically nowhere else) a Firearms Owners Identification Card, or FOID, is required by most people, basically everyone, in order to legally possess or acquire a firearm or ammunition.

At the risk of oversimplifying a "firearm" under Illinois law, is a modern firearm, an air rifle over .1777 caliber, a taser, a stun gun and a switchblade knife.  Pre-1899 manufactured firearms and replicas of muzzle loading firearms are exempt by actual regulation.

From the Illinois State Police, through the following website. isp.illinois.gov/Foid/Foid

Cost is supposed to be $10.  You will need a photo, but ISP won't use it.  The application is supposed to be approved or rejected in 30 days, but almost never is.

You can TRY the following phone and e-mail, but they usually don't answer  or respond.

• Phone: 217-782-7980
• Email: ISP.AskFOIDandCCL@illinois.gov

Off of your own property, or fixed place of business, usually not.  You generally need a concealed carry license for that.

Then you cannot have a firearm or ammunition in Illinois.  ISP is notorious for invalidating FOID cards without a valid reason.  If this has happened to you, we suggest your first call be to us, or another qualified lawyer familiar with these issues.