Yednock Sponsors Legislation to Reduce Burdens on Law Abiding Gun Owners in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, is sponsoring legislation that makes common sense improvements to the existing limitations placed on law-abiding gun owners in Illinois, including reducing the restrictions currently placed on members of the military and law enforcement.

“If you can fight for our country overseas, then I trust that our military members can responsibly handle a weapon here at home,” said Yednock. “Our members of law enforcement already undergo extensive training on firearms and are trusted with our public safety. To ask them to go through another round of bureaucracy to own a gun or have a concealed carry license just adds more unnecessary government red tape.”

Yednock is cosponsoring Senate Bill 1139, which as amended, is designed to lift a number of burdens facing those applying for a concealed carry license or FOID card, including:

• Restructures the validity of concealed carry licenses by stating that licenses may expire 5 years from the expiration date of the prior license rather than 5 years from the renewal application date.
• Clarifies that law enforcement is exempt from concealed carry restrictions according to federal law.
• Authorizes off-duty law enforcement to carry a concealed firearm while hunting.
• Allows military personnel to apply for a FOID card or conceal carry license when they are 18 years of age as opposed to 21.

“The most important trait to have when owning a gun is responsibility,” said Yednock. “As Americans, we should cut the red tape that prohibits our service men and women from owning a firearm. It’s in our best interest as a state to give ample time for law abiding citizens to renew their concealed carry paperwork with the State Police. These are all common sense measures that lift some of the overreaching restrictions placed on those who choose to be responsible gun owners in Illinois.”