ISP says concealed carry pricetag is $25 million
3 months, 2 weeks ago
Agency says it needs more manpower and technology upgrades to accommodate new law
From prairiestateoutdoors.com: As the state of Illinois continues to pile up unpaid bills, the agency responsible for creating Illinois' first process to issue concealed-carry permits estimates startup costs will be $25 million.
The figure is based on the assumption that 300,000 people will apply for concealed-carry permits within the first year. Roughly 150,000 people applied for permits the first year after Wisconsin legalized concealed carry in 2011, and Illinois has double the population, said Illinois State Police Lt. Darrin Clark.
"We don't have the manpower or money right now. ... It's really not going to be possible when we're already facing a backlog of FOID cards," Clark said.
A federal appellate court has ordered Illinois to enact legislation by June 8 that allows qualified people to carry concealed weapons.
Applicants would pay $80 each for their initial permits under a concealed-carry bill proposed by state Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, although Phelps said that amount is subject to negotiation.
"One hundred dollars is a little more realistic for what we're going to be required to do ... but this depends on how provisions are written" in the final bill, Clark said.
Updated 6 hours, 39 min ago