Process of petitioning the court for reinstatement of firearms rights?

[CharlesB]

Humbly asking for someone to walk me through the process of petitioning the court with the purpose of restoration of firearms rights for my Husband. I have heard success stories from others, though I know it's not necessarily easy. My Husband had mostly juvenile charges on his record, but has had a clean record since the year 2000. He tried to apply for his FOID in 2013 and was denied. We tried again last year and were denied again apparently due to a felony charge.

 

At this point I believe his only option is to petition the court. I have been told I need to gather all of his records from the DOC, and I did send a message through their website (hopefully the correct site), I've also been told I'll need all of the police reports pertaining to his record - I'm assuming I request them from whatever department he was charged in? We did get his fingerprinting done a few years ago, so that can easily be uploaded. 

 

And then finally I've read that I'll need at least 3 letters from separate people/employers speaking on his positive character and good standing within the community after his release when he was a juvenile. 

 

If there's anything I'm missing, or if you're comfortable sharing the petition process that has been successful for you, please feel free to let me know or PM me. I'll be attempting to start this process myself and it seems quite daunting! I certainly don't want to miss anything. 

 

Thank you for reading, 

Kate

[CharlesB]

Here's a copy of his most recent denial letter. I should add that if anyone has other suggestions on other successful ways of getting their rights reinstated after a similar situation, I'd love to hear from you. Thank you! 

[John Q Public]

He was convicted of not 1, but 2 felonies. Good luck with that. I know it was a long time ago, but...  https://www.williamsnickl.com/practice/illinois-foid-card-appeals-denials-reinstatement-lawyers/

 

Again, good luck.

[CharlesB]

On 2/22/2025 at 2:51 PM, John Q Public said:

He was convicted of not 1, but 2 felonies. Good luck with that. I know it was a long time ago, but...  https://www.williamsnickl.com/practice/illinois-foid-card-appeals-denials-reinstatement-lawyers/

 

Again, good luck.

 

Yes, as a juvenile... Thanks for the link, but I've spoken to lawyers and actually that office before. I understand it's not an easy process, but I've spoken to others who've been successful petitioning with much worse records.

[Bubbacs]

If you've spoken with a lawyer then hire same to handle this issue maybe?  I think looking at the issue from this end needs a professional to take this on!  Good Luck.

[ealcala31]

On 2/22/2025 at 3:03 PM, CharlesB said:

 

Yes, as a juvenile... Thanks for the link, but I've spoken to lawyers and actually that office before. I understand it's not an easy process, but I've spoken to others who've been successful petitioning with much worse records.

Nickl is a pretty well respected guy. If he thinks you have slim chances, you probably do. I referred a buddy of mine to Nickl for a restoration of rights after 26yrs. It wasn't cheap, but he received it. If you are not accepting NO for an answer, get your money together and higher a lawyer to see if there is any way 1 or more of his convictions can be set aside, overturned by a Supreme Court decision, or if there was malfeasance involved by the prosecution. Good luck!

[JHH]

I hired a lawyer and petitioned the court for restoration of  my civil and firearms rights. The court awarded my petition and ordered the ISP to re issue my foid card, which they did. I attempted to purchase a firearm about a month later, was denied. I ran my info through the FBI with no prohibitors found. I then filed a VAF with the FBI and received a VPIN number to place in box 17 on the 4473, but was denied again. I went to the Collinsville SP HQ and asked what was going on.  Their answer was " I can legally own and possess a firearm, but can not buy one" ! Explain that one to me

[Euler]

On June 5, 2025 at 01:20 AM CDT, JHH said:→

...
I went to the Collinsville SP HQ and asked what was going on. Their answer was " I can legally own and possess a firearm, but can not buy one" ! Explain that one to me

Are you under 21?
Do you have an medical MJ card?

I seem to recall that FTIP doesn't allow IL FFLs to enter the UPIN, so it doesn't help in Illinois. Maybe that changed.

You should be able to ask why you are denied at ISP.AskFOIDandCCL@illinois.gov.

[JHH]

No, I am not under21 (I remember the day JFK, RFK, MLK was shot). No medical mj card. I will send another email to the link you supplied.

 

[ealcala31]

On 6/5/2025 at 5:58 PM, JHH said:

No, I am not under21 (I remember the day JFK, RFK, MLK was shot). No medical mj card. I will send another email to the link you supplied.

 

Unfortunately, a UPIN means nothing in IL. Through process of elimination, buy some ammo. The IL FFL Dealer will run a FOID Check to make sure your FOID Card is valid. If the ammo purchase gets Denied, its a state issue. If it gets approved of, its a federal issue. 

[spanishjames]

On 6/5/2025 at 8:35 PM, ealcala31 said:

Unfortunately, a UPIN means nothing in IL. Through process of elimination, buy some ammo. The IL FFL Dealer will run a FOID Check to make sure your FOID Card is valid. If the ammo purchase gets Denied, its a state issue. If it gets approved of, its a federal issue. 

Good advice. 

[ealcala31]

On 6/6/2025 at 2:10 PM, spanishjames said:

Good advice. 

I've been trying to give good advice for 6yrs, sitting on the side of the table that I am currently on. This is the 1st time that I have 🤣

[JHH]

On 6/5/2025 at 8:35 PM, ealcala31 said:

Unfortunately, a UPIN means nothing in IL. Through process of elimination, buy some ammo. The IL FFL Dealer will run a FOID Check to make sure your FOID Card is valid. If the ammo purchase gets Denied, its a state issue. If it gets approved of, its a federal issue. 

Interesting, I buy ammo all the time, they just ask to see my foid card, no check is run. I've bought from FFLs, Walmart and Academy with no problem

[ragsbo]

What makes me mad is when I buy ammo in Kentucky they demand to see my FOID. Asked the boy why, and he said "state law". I asked which state and he looked at me with a dumb look on his face. When I buy ammo in Missouri they don't ask for anything. (same place, Rural King). 

[ealcala31]

On 6/7/2025 at 12:57 AM, JHH said:

Interesting, I buy ammo all the time, they just ask to see my foid card, no check is run. I've bought from FFLs, Walmart and Academy with no problem

According to ISP, state law says we're supposed to. This was part of the PP last seminar and this seminar that was held last month.

[Icountsheep91]

On 6/5/2025 at 1:20 AM, JHH said:

I hired a lawyer and petitioned the court for restoration of  my civil and firearms rights. The court awarded my petition and ordered the ISP to re issue my foid card, which they did. I attempted to purchase a firearm about a month later, was denied. I ran my info through the FBI with no prohibitors found. I then filed a VAF with the FBI and received a VPIN number to place in box 17 on the 4473, but was denied again. I went to the Collinsville SP HQ and asked what was going on.  Their answer was " I can legally own and possess a firearm, but can not buy one" ! Explain that one to me

Just curious what box did you check on the 4473 pertaining to ever being convicted if a felony? I just got my records expunged, appeal granted, and FOID card is on its way.