Barickman: Gun owner information should remain private
SPRINGFIELD – State Rep. Jason Barickman, R-Champaign, said that the names and addresses of gun owners in Illinois should remain private.
"I do not see a valid reason to require FOID (Firearm Owner Identification) card information be made available to the public. It is a clear invasion of personal privacy for Illinois residents," Barickman said. "I fully stand behind the Illinois State Police in trying to block this data from being released, and I support legislation currently in the House (HB 7) which would prohibit the public disclosure of FOID card information."
HB 7, which is sponsored by Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Highland, and co-sponsored by three area Republicans – Barickman and Reps. Chad Hays, R-Catlin, and Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet – stalled in the House Judiciary I Committee on Wednesday on a 5-5 vote.
The bill would prohibit the state police or any other state or local law enforcement agency from revealing information about FOID card holders. Earlier this week Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said that the names of FOID card holders are public information and should be disclosed.
The state police issued a statement Wednesday saying they disagree with the opinion of the attorney general's public access counselor.
and intend "to request that the PAC (public access counselor) issue a binding opinion so that the issue may be resolved through the judicial process."
MoreThis information absolutely should not be made public. If so, then any felon would know exactly where they could obtain a firearm. As a matter of fact, the legislature promised us when the Brady bill became law, they would eliminate the FOID requirements. So much for promises being kept just like the use of Social Security account numbers could not be used for identification of a person.
"Earlier this week Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said that the
names of FOID card holders are public information and should be
disclosed."
Well Lisa Madigan? I, and many other FOID card holders say that since you are being paid by MY taxpaying salary, YOUR address should be made public also. After all, you and so many other fellow democrats think it's a public right for the FOID information to go public, we think yours should also. While we are at it, how about we add a link to your home address via Google Map, for the ease of any harm-doers.
Come on, have some common sense Madigan; IF that is possible!
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