Under current law, citizens who are under 21 years of age must obtain the written consent of a parent or legal guardian to possess and acquire firearms as well as firearm ammunition. Citizens applying for a FOID license also must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor other than a traffic offense or be considered delinquent by law.

The FOID card was created in 1968, by the FOID Act, as a way to identify those persons eligible to possess and acquire firearms and firearm ammunition as part of a public safety initiative in the State of Illinois.

"This is a matter of fairness," Senator Forby said. "By current law, an eighteen year old is already eligible to buy a long gun, but they are not able to apply for and obtain a FOID card without their parent’s signature. Whether or not an eighteen year old wants to get a FOID card should be a decision that is left up to them."

Senate Bill 1840 now moves to the House of Representatives where it will be debated and voted on.