According to Representative Bourne, with 50,000 FOID cards due for renewal this summer, the state police are urging citizens to renew as soon as possible to avoid having an expired card. Applications may be filled out at the State Police's Firearms Services Bureau website, ispfsb.com if applicants are an Illinois resident with a valid driver's license or State ID.

State Police Director Leo Schmitz recommends gun owners submit their renewal application at least one or two months in advance so there is adequate time to process them and get a new card out before expiration.

The State Police oversees the FOID card system and issues the cards that are required to buy or possess a firearm or ammunition in Illinois. FOID card applications require state and federal background checks, as well as review of the database from the Illinois Department of Human Services to confirm applicants have not been in a mental institution in the past five years. Persons with common names may find additional delays as identities are confirmed.