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Permit applications up more than 500%


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https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-chicago-illinois-foid-gun-ammo-sales-uncertainty-20200625-pkve27352jagnp4y5dbaubkyoy-story.html

 

‘Guns are flying off the shelf.’ Permit applications up more than 500% amid coronavirus pandemic and George Floyd fallout.


By KATHERINE ROSENBERG-DOUGLAS
CHICAGO TRIBUNE |
JUN 25, 2020 AT 5:00 AM

...with a wave of crises crashing across the country, more than 40,000 Illinoisans applied for a gun permit in a little more than two weeks this month, more than 500% over this time last year, according to Illinois State Police.

Gun sales are soaring at Mark Glavin’s gun shop in Elgin, from an average of 10 a day last year to as many as 200 a day this year. With so many gun purchases, he said, ammunition also can be hard to find.
...
The mandatory 72-hour background check — required by the state before getting a gun — has stretched to more than a week for some of his customers. On Monday, he was still waiting on five backgrounds he submitted on June 16, eight from June 17 and seven from Thursday.

The firearms services bureau of the Illinois State Police is taking an average of 94 business hours — not counting holidays, weekends, the day the gun is purchased, or the day the sale is approved or denied — to process background checks, roughly a day longer than usual, according to state police spokeswoman Beth Hundsdorfer.

The bureau is responsible for issuing firearm owner’s identification cards and concealed carry licenses, as well as conducting background checks for licensed gun dealers when a sale is made. Its work started to pick up in March and has spiked in June, Hundsdorfer said.

From June 1 to June 17, there were more than 42,000 applications for FOID cards, compared with about 7,000 during the same time last year, a 501% increase.

The 42,089 applications over those 17 days come close to the 48,194 applications submitted in the months of December, January and February combined. Applications reached nearly 5,000 on a single day in June.
...
Dan Eldridge, owner of Maxon Shooter’s Supplies and Range in Des Plaines, said nearly half the customers clamoring for appointments these days appear to be first-time buyers.

“The numbers I saw from the National Shooting Sports Foundation … said 40% of respondents to (store) surveys were new, first-time buyers. And of those, 40% are female — 40% of the 40%,” Eldridge said. “We’re tracking 150% of a typical May in firearms sales ... and that’s with being open by appointment only.”
...
Alexandra Filindra, an associate professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Chicago, said there’s plenty of research and anecdotal evidence to suggest many of those white, first-time gun buyers may consider themselves politically progressive, but any perceived disruption to the status quo may expose underlying reasons to pull the trigger on a gun purchase.
...
A 38-year-old man from Dixon — who didn’t want his name used, citing employment reasons — described himself as “a very liberal Democrat” who for decades has been “for most forms of gun control politically.” But since March, he’s been waiting for his first gun permit to arrive so he can keep his family safe, he said.

“My views have recently changed, and I have accepted that the Second Amendment provides for the personal ownership and use of a firearm,” he said in an email. “The recent social unrest of a divisive president, the pandemic and dramatic rise in unemployment, and the more recent social unrest because of the way we police in this country have all been reasons that have prompted my recent application.”

David Lombardo, owner of Safer USA and a concealed carry gun instructor, said he’s had several callers lately who candidly disclosed their political beliefs and asked him for one-on-one training, because “they don’t want anyone to know they’re doing the training, let alone going to buy a firearm.”

“I have seen the emergence of a new class of students seeking training: anti-Second Amendment liberals,” he said.

Carrie Lightfoot, founder of the popular shooting blog The Well Armed Woman, said there’s nothing hypocritical about changing your views when the world around you is changing. And she’s not surprised women make up a good portion of these new gun buyers.

Women have always understood they are at a disadvantage when it comes to a male aggressor who will likely be taller, heavier and stronger. Now we are “all shaken to our core” by world events, which is why “it is only natural” women are arming themselves, she said.

“I am seeing women come to gun ownership who literally just weeks or months ago were opposed to people owning guns personally,” Lightfoot said. “Sometimes, it is in moments of personal need and through our personal concerns that our life’s context changes.”
...
The strain is being felt at the 30-person firearms services bureau, where 24 employees process applications for FOID cards and concealed carry permits. Six others work solely on processing background checks required when someone tries to buy a gun.

Nine more employees are scheduled to begin work in July. And the state police intend to hire an additional 20 employees, bringing the total to 59, according to spokeswoman Hundsdorfer.

Even before the recent surge, the state police were facing criticism for delays in processing applications. A lawsuit filed in January accused state police of violating the “fundamental individual rights” of gun owners. The state police acknowledged that at least 10% of applications were taking longer than the legally required 30 days to process.

Then the pandemic hit in March, followed by the fallout from Floyd’s death on May 25. On any given day, about 1,135 new users register on the firearm services bureau website. “On May 31, there were 6,467 new users. On June 1, there were 9,558 new users,” Hundsdorfer said. “On average, the current staff works an extra week in overtime hours every month to address application processing needs.”

The agency also took the unprecedented step of automatically extending for a year all FOID and concealed carry permits up for renewal in 2020, Hundsdorfer said. The goal was to provide “relief from the renewal requirements during the effects of COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.

The extension was announced in mid-April, and Eldridge thought it was a smart idea that would speed things up. But that hasn’t happened, he said. “If you didn’t have a FOID before all this started, you’re not getting a gun.”

Jim Leckinger, a 58-year-old former naval officer living in Aurora, “had to maintain qualifications on a variety of weapons” during that career but hasn’t handled guns since. In March, he inherited two antique guns from the 1800s, which he took to get cleaned by a gunsmith. He was told he couldn’t get them back — he plans to display them in a shadowbox — until he produces a firearms identification. He has been awaiting approval from state police since March 28.

“I don’t have a lot of interactions with government agencies, but this one has to be the poorest-run organization in Illinois,” he said, noting he’s called three times and emailed the agency twice, trying to get an update. “They are absolutely unresponsive.”
...

 

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"The recent social unrest of a divisive president, the pandemic and dramatic rise in unemployment, and the more recent social unrest because of the way we police in this country have all been reasons that have prompted my recent application.”

 

It's a shame that people are so gullible and actually believe this stuff.

 

Let me add this from above:

 

"A 38-year-old man from Dixon — who didn’t want his name used, citing employment reasons — described himself as “a very liberal Democrat” who for decades has been “for most forms of gun control politically.” But since March, he’s been waiting for his first gun permit to arrive so he can keep his family safe, he said."

 

So, he's 38...but he's been for most forms of gun control politically "for decades"? Well, he has been able to vote for two whole decades. I guess that does make it "decades" plural.

 

And someone should ask him, which party almost exclusively runs these urban areas that are currently under assault? Of course, if you are worried that public knowledge of gun ownership (or pro-gun sentiment) will get you fired, you probably don't dare answer that question out loud.

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"The recent social unrest of a divisive president, the pandemic and dramatic rise in unemployment, and the more recent social unrest because of the way we police in this country have all been reasons that have prompted my recent application.”

 

It's a shame that people are so gullible and actually believe this stuff.

Consider the source. The Tribune has gone liberal in the past few years. They now reprint articles regularly from the New Yoek Time, the most liberal MSM newspaper

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The strain is being felt at the 30-person firearms services bureau, where 24 employees process applications for FOID cards and concealed carry permits. Six others work solely on processing background checks required when someone tries to buy a gun.

 

Nine more employees are scheduled to begin work in July. And the state police intend to hire an additional 20 employees, bringing the total to 59, according to spokeswoman Hundsdorfer.

Well that is encouraging...I hope. Although what I recall from reading the policy and procedure manual, it's going to take a while to get new hires through training and up to speed working independently. A bit surprised they have 30 people currently which seems way more than previously reported.

 

94 business hours though to process a BG check seems a bit excessive...+8 days per application once it gets off the queue???

 

Edit: I think I misunderstood as originally written. It looks like 94 hours for an FTIP as opposed to a new/renewal application.

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IF this were something the left supported they would make a big deal out of it and promote it and use it to their advantage, meanwhile the right sits on it's hands during this.

In our small way IllinoisCarry tries to be a welcoming entry point for new gun owners into the wider community of ownership and the shooting sports. Hopefully once they find their way here they'll also consider participating in some of the larger organizations and political activism, too.

 

Part of that, though, is about recognizing that the Second Amendment needn't be a left/right issue, and about respecting our differences on other issues while uniting on this issue.

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IF this were something the left supported they would make a big deal out of it and promote it and use it to their advantage, meanwhile the right sits on it's hands during this.
Not arguing with you as I agree but, look where we are without any of the publications. I strongly believe more are coming to our side than the other way around.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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40,000 Illinoisans applied for a gun permit

 

"gun permit"?!? Grates on me when a reporter is so careless with words.

 

 

Don't sweat it.

I listened to two liberal knotheads in line at Scheels last spring, in Illinois, complaining about how long it takes to get a "stinking pistol for Krists sakes!" and how Illinois needs to get it's head out of it's arse.

It that doesn't make someone's day or at least make them smile I don't know what does.

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IF this were something the left supported they would make a big deal out of it and promote it and use it to their advantage, meanwhile the right sits on it's hands during this.

In our small way IllinoisCarry tries to be a welcoming entry point for new gun owners into the wider community of ownership and the shooting sports. Hopefully once they find their way here they'll also consider participating in some of the larger organizations and political activism, too.

 

Part of that, though, is about recognizing that the Second Amendment needn't be a left/right issue, and about respecting our differences on other issues while uniting on this issue.

 

I wouldn’t always wait for people to come to you.

IMHO

ISRA,NRA, IC, and the whole gambit of firearms stores and trainers should seize the moment with a simple message like “we know a lot of people are purchasing firearms in these times and we want you to know what resources are available for safe keeping and handling, etc, etc, blah blah blah, if you are a new firearm owner”

Otherwise the IL “overlords” are going to go bat crap crazy with people going against their wishes purchasing firearms to protect themselves and punish everyone even more than they do now.

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A bit surprised they have 30 people currently which seems way more than previously reported.

94 business hours though to process a BG check seems a bit excessive...+8 days per application once it gets off the queue???

Edit: I think I misunderstood as originally written. It looks like 94 hours for an FTIP as opposed to a new/renewal application.

 

 

Even so, excessive.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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Jim Leckinger, a 58-year-old former naval officer living in Aurora, “had to maintain qualifications on a variety of weapons” during that career but hasn’t handled guns since. In March, he inherited two antique guns from the 1800s, which he took to get cleaned by a gunsmith. He was told he couldn’t get them back — he plans to display them in a shadowbox — until he produces a firearms identification. He has been awaiting approval from state police since March 28.

 

 

I didn't think antique guns, like the 1858 Smith Carbine on my fireplace mantle, even required an Illinois FOID card, ISP approval, or even a Federal NICS check.

 

Something fishy about that story.

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Federal law carves out from the definition of a firearm those manufactured "in or before 1898".

 

I'm not aware of a similar, automatic carve out in Illinois law, though there is a provision for ISP to develop a list of exempted firearms based on age, value, design and collectibility (similar to the Federal C&R list).

 

Any firearm designed by John Moses Browning or John Garand should be exempt. Period.

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(a) (1) No person may acquire or possess any firearm, stun gun, or taser within this State without having in his or her possession a Firearm Owner's Identification Card previously issued in his or her name by the Department of State Police under the provisions of this Act.

 

"Firearm" means any device, by whatever name known, which is designed to expel a projectile or projectiles by the action of an explosion, expansion of gas or escape of gas; excluding, however:

 

(4) an antique firearm (other than a machine-gun)

which, although designed as a weapon, the Department of State Police finds by reason of the date of its manufacture, value, design, and other characteristics is primarily a collector's item and is not likely to be used as a weapon.

 

"Antique firearm" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in 18 USC 921(a)(16), i.e.:

 

any firearm, including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system, manufactured in or before 1898; or

any replica of any firearm described in the previous paragraph if the replica:

 

is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition; or uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition that is no longer manufactured in the United States and that is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade; or any muzzle loading rifle, muzzle loading shotgun, or muzzle loading pistol that is designed to use black powder or a black powder substitute and that cannot use fixed ammunition.

 

The term "antique firearm" shall not include any weapon that incorporates a firearm frame or receiver, any firearm that is converted into a muzzle loading weapon, or any muzzle loading weapon that can be readily converted to fire fixed ammunition by replacing the barrel, bolt, breechblock or any combination of these.

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(a) (1) No person may acquire or possess any firearm, stun gun, or taser within this State without having in his or her possession a Firearm Owner's Identification Card previously issued in his or her name by the Department of State Police under the provisions of this Act.

 

"Firearm" means any device, by whatever name known, which is designed to expel a projectile or projectiles by the action of an explosion, expansion of gas or escape of gas; excluding, however:

 

(4) an antique firearm (other than a machine-gun)

which, although designed as a weapon, the Department of State Police finds by reason of the date of its manufacture, value, design, and other characteristics is primarily a collector's item and is not likely to be used as a weapon.

 

"Antique firearm" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in 18 USC 921(a)(16), i.e.:

 

any firearm, including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system, manufactured in or before 1898; or

any replica of any firearm described in the previous paragraph if the replica:

 

is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition; or uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition that is no longer manufactured in the United States and that is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade; or any muzzle loading rifle, muzzle loading shotgun, or muzzle loading pistol that is designed to use black powder or a black powder substitute and that cannot use fixed ammunition.

 

The term "antique firearm" shall not include any weapon that incorporates a firearm frame or receiver, any firearm that is converted into a muzzle loading weapon, or any muzzle loading weapon that can be readily converted to fire fixed ammunition by replacing the barrel, bolt, breechblock or any combination of these.

Are you saying Administrative Code brings 1898 and prior firearms into the exemption?

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Are you saying Administrative Code brings 1898 and prior firearms into the exemption?

... or anything manufactured later that uses obsolete ammunition .... It certainly seems it says that.

 

Of course, if the cops choose not to understand the law and to seize your antique firearms (and replicas), there's not a lot to do until you get to court.

 

Meanwhile, people buying their first firearm to defend themselves against the plague zombies aren't buying antique guns that have no available ammo.

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Are you saying Administrative Code brings 1898 and prior firearms into the exemption?

No, Im not smart enough to interpret all that. I think you were correct in the ISP developing their own equivalent C+R list but I could not find one anywhere. I seem to recall a prior discussion of situation where FOID was needed for blackpowder so as with other firearm laws in this state...who knows?
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Are you saying Administrative Code brings 1898 and prior firearms into the exemption?

No, Im not smart enough to interpret all that. I think you were correct in the ISP developing their own equivalent C+R list but I could not find one anywhere. I seem to recall a prior discussion of situation where FOID was needed for blackpowder so as with other firearm laws in this state...who knows?

 

Well, I'm not so sure I agree about your interpretive abilities...

 

It does seem that if pre-1899 firearms were exempted in Administrative Code, then blackpowder guns would also be exempted by the same language. I agree that they are not, at least in practice. And it would be unsurprising if a C&R type list can be developed but hasn't been developed.

 

I'm going to have to research this more.

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Are you saying Administrative Code brings 1898 and prior firearms into the exemption?

 

No, Im not smart enough to interpret all that. I think you were correct in the ISP developing their own equivalent C+R list but I could not find one anywhere. I seem to recall a prior discussion of situation where FOID was needed for blackpowder so as with other firearm laws in this state...who knows?

Well, I'm not so sure I agree about your interpretive abilities...

It does seem that if pre-1899 firearms were exempted in Administrative Code, then blackpowder guns would also be exempted by the same language. I agree that they are not, at least in practice. And it would be unsurprising if a C&R type list can be developed but hasn't been developed.

 

I'm going to have to research this more.

I read it as that being the intent. However, the verbiage added beyond just incorporating the Federal definition clouds it a bit.

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