http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-966758.mp3
Macomb, IL – The panelists talk about Illinois House Bill 3500, which would bar the public release of information about who owns FOID cards in the state.
The legislation was prompted by a request from The Associated Press, which sought the information through a Freedom of Information Act filing. The Illinois Attorney General's office opined the data should be released, but the Illinois State Police refused to comply and a judge stayed any release.
Those who feel the information should not be released consider it a safety issue. They say a criminal could obtain the information to learn what homes might be protected by a gun owner and which ones might not.
The Shoptalk panelists don't like the idea of chipping away at the state's Freedom of Information Act. They point out FOID cards are produced and controlled by the government and information about who owns one should be available to the public. They don't like the idea of government secrecy.
The Illinois News Broadcasters Association considers it a "sunshine" issue rather than a gun issue. But the influential NRA has lobbied hard to win approval of the legislation.