I personally think the FOID system is horrible. I think the cards are needed but there needs to be a much simple way. The state is making budget cuts all the time and unfortunately FOID is one that was hit. Its been a couple years since my renewal and I sent it in when I got the notice in the mail. After a month and a half I called in and they informed me that the application was processed the day after my Drivers license expired and I renewed it the day after they processed it. I was lucky because the guy at FOID called me back and informed me of what happened and that he would reprocess it immediately. I had my FOID a week after that.

I've hunted with a bunch of Chicago Cops and they say if they pulled you over in Chicago with a shotgun/rifle and had all your hunting gear and didn't look like a thug they would send you on your way with no problems. The first time I hunted with these guys I was meeting them in the city and was worried about having my gun. They laughed and said the cops know if your using your gun for hunting or if its for illegal use and if its hunting they don't want you to get in trouble. They don't even check for FOIDs. I personally don't keep my guns in the city so it doesn't bother me but thought it was interesting how they described it.

Has anyone ever been checked for a FOID other than buying a gun/ammo? I've never been checked in the field for it. I've asked a couple CPO's in the past about checking FOIDs and they said as long as you have your proper licenses and have permission to hunt the land your on they don't want to deal with it. I was told that if your application has been processed and have been given a FOID but haven't received it yet its a simple call that a CPO can make to check and if you have one on record you should be all set.

I'm sure there are plenty of CPOs out there that check FOIDs but I've yet to see one that does. I would make sure to always photocopy your FOID and keep it on file just in case you do lose it. It will definetly help to have at least a photocopy in a bind.