A bill in the Illinois Senate would help gun owners who forget to carry their firearm owners identification cards.
SB 2871, introduced by state Sen. Neil Anderson (R-Moline), offers a technological solution by making the credentials available electronically on smartphones or other devices.
The legislation recognizes the near ubiquity of smartphones, where people would be able to access their electronic FOID, according to a press release posted on Anderson’s website.
“It happens to all of us from time to time, we forget things – in this case, it might be your wallet with your FOID card inside,” Anderson said in the release. "But no matter how often we forget things, we seem to remember our phone."
The legislation would let Illinois State Police create the system allowing cellular access to an electronic FOID card officers can view and verify if they stop someone who has forgotten their physical card. Without proper identification and permit, gun owners can face a Class A misdemeanor charge, the release said.
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