SE Illinois News

Sen. Darren Bailey wants to get rid of FOID cards.

A gubernatorial candidate and state senator, Bailey made a tweet on May 15th stating that it’s time to eliminate the FOID cards.

"I can't say this enough, VOID THE FOID!!! It's not time to reform and add more bureaucracy to a broken, unconstitutional system, it's time to eliminate it and allow all law-abiding Illinoisans the opportunity to exercise their Second Amendment rights!!! #standingwithyouin2022," tweeted Bailey.

In April 2021, Bailey filed legislation to get rid of the state's Firearm Owner Identification cards. At the time, he said: “FOID cards may have served a purpose in the days before comprehensive and often instant background checks were possible or feasible, but that’s not the case anymore,” said Senator Bailey. “The state has been unable or unwilling to keep up with FOID card applications, turning the program into a major roadblock for law-abiding gun owners. It’s time to void the FOID and restore people’s God-given constitutional rights.”

In November 2021, he continued speaking out against the cards, commonly called FOID cards. “I don’t just talk about my support of the Second Amendment, I vote in favor of it and exercise it,” Bailey, now seeking the GOP nomination for governor, said in a video posted to Twitter. “It’s time to eliminate unnecessary FOID cards that stand in the way of your God-given constitutional right to defend yourself and your family.” 

“FOID cards may have served a purpose in the days before comprehensive and often instant background checks were possible or feasible, but that’s not the case anymore,” he said. “The state has been unable or unwilling to keep up with FOID card applications, turning the program into a major roadblock for law-abiding gun owners. It’s time to void the FOID and restore people’s God-given constitutional rights."