State bureaucracy causing problems for gun owners

[Mugu]

By Pete Nickeas, The Daily Journal Springfield Bureau

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois gun owners could fall prey to a state bureaucracy that fails to process firearm owner's identification cards promptly.

The state's tardiness leaves some otherwise law-abiding firearm owners vulnerable to criminal charges because FOID cards often expire while the state police are still processing renewals. Criminal charges can be filed against any resident who possesses a gun but does not have a valid FOID card.

The Illinois State Police agency is required by law to process FOID applications within 30 days. But the process is taking up to 60 business days, according to agency spokesman Lt. Scott Compton.

"Gun owners can't go shooting, can't go hunting, can't buy ammo, and can't legally own a gun. They're caught in a problem with the state police not complying with their own law," said Richard Pearson of Chatsworth, executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association.

http://daily-journal.com/archives/dj/display.php?id=434886">Complete article

[derby378]

1. Yet another reason why needing a state permit to own a firearm is a really bad idea

Fortunately, nobody in Texas needs a permit to own a gun unless it's full-auto, has a barrel shorter than 16", or otherwise falls on the NFA Class 3 list.

[AlinPA]

2. Why does anyone require a permit for a gun with a barrel shorter than 16"?

[appal_jack]

3. derby means rifles...

Of course, pistols are legal for peaceable citizens to own in TX, and other sensible places.

The NFA thing comes into effect on rifles with barrels shorter than 16". Short-barreled rifles are regulated just like machine guns are.

Since I don't have any interest in owning SBR's or machine guns, that's the extent of my expertise on the subject.

-app

[derby378]

4. It's the National Firearms Act

I guess it's because the long guns are considered easier to conceal if the barrel is less than 16".

Concerning the AR family of rifles, there's also an issue with propulsion. Eugene Stoner originally intended the M16 to have a barrel length of 18-20" in order for the 5.56mm round to expend all of its energy in the barrel. A lot of the M4 carbines you see in Iraq and Afghanistan have barrel lengths of 14.5" or shorter, which makes them more versatile for urban patrols and CQC, but they suffer from a lack of muzzle velocity because some of the energy flies out the muzzle along with the bullet.

[AlinPA]

7. Thanks.

[TheWraith]

5. Delete, nevermind. nt

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. Alabama is rational about guns also. No permits or regis.

except if you carry concealed gun.
Otherwise, you can buy and own a gun with no paper trail.

[AlinPA]

8. Any laws about carrying guns, e.g., holstered, carrying rifles in public, etc?

[dixiegrrrrl]

11. Gotta have a permit to carry ,

and must immediately inform police, if they stop you, you have the weapon and permit.

Also, not legal to carry a concealed weapon into any other person's house or into public buildings, esp. places like courthouses, etc.

I just checked laws b/c I was thinking of getting a handgun.

[old mark]

9. PA State Police have been noncompliant with State firearms law for

years. Law REQUIRES that NO LIST of gun owners be maintained - the State Constitution prohibits registration of guns - but PA State Police has such a list, computerized and available to any LEO with the correct computer access, for many years after the clarification of this matter by the State Courts.
So I guess it's OK for the cops to be illegal. I wonder where the ACLU is in this issue. They seem to be ignorant of the 2nd ammendment.

mark

[Bluebear]

10. Oh thank you, Mugu!

[Sandrine for you]

12. I'm gonna cry...

He can haz hiz gunz !!!!!

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

:nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity:

[Bluebear]

13. :)