The FOID Act at 430 ILCS 65/9.5 grants the Illinois State Police authority to revoke or suspend a FOID card whenever the holder becomes ineligible under the Act's disqualifying criteria. Revocation and suspension trigger significant legal obligations for the cardholder, including the mandatory surrender or transfer of all firearms and ammunition.[1]
Grounds for Revocation
The ISP must revoke a FOID card if the holder becomes subject to any of the disqualifying conditions listed in 430 ILCS 65/8. Common grounds for revocation include:
- Felony conviction
- Domestic violence conviction (misdemeanor or felony)
- Issuance of an order of protection against the cardholder
- Admission to a mental health facility
- Adjudication as a mental defective
- A clear and present danger determination by a qualified mental health professional
- Narcotics addiction
- Conviction of assault or battery
The ISP conducts ongoing monitoring of criminal history and mental health databases and may initiate revocation proceedings at any time a disqualifying event is reported.[2]
Suspension vs. Revocation
A FOID card may be suspended when there is a pending matter that may result in a disqualifying condition -- for example, a pending felony charge or a temporary order of protection. During suspension, the cardholder's firearms privileges are temporarily frozen. If the pending matter resolves in the cardholder's favor (charges dismissed, order of protection vacated), the suspension may be lifted and FOID privileges restored. Revocation is permanent for as long as the disqualifying condition exists, though the cardholder may seek relief through the administrative or judicial appeal process.[1]
Notification and Surrender Requirements
When a FOID card is revoked, the ISP sends written notice to the cardholder. Upon receipt of the revocation notice, the cardholder must:
- Surrender the FOID card to the local law enforcement agency within 48 hours
- Identify, on the Firearm Disposition Record within the same 48 hours, where all firearms and ammunition will be kept, whether transferred to a person who holds a valid FOID card, surrendered to local law enforcement, or stored with a licensed firearms dealer
- Complete and return a Firearm Disposition Record to the ISP, documenting the disposition of each firearm
Failure to comply with these surrender requirements is a separate criminal offense.[1]
Law Enforcement Follow-Up
The ISP notifies the local law enforcement agency of a FOID card revocation. Local law enforcement may conduct compliance checks to verify that the revoked cardholder has transferred or surrendered all firearms. Under Karina's Law, signed in February 2025 and effective May 11, 2025, law enforcement must obtain a search warrant from a judge and then confiscate firearms within 96 hours of receiving the warrant from individuals subject to domestic violence protective orders, strengthening the enforcement mechanism for revocation cases involving domestic violence.[3]
Appeal Process
A person whose FOID card has been revoked may, for most revocation grounds, appeal to the FOID Card Review Board within 60 days under 430 ILCS 65/10, as amended by Public Act 102-237 effective January 1, 2023. Revocations based on certain enumerated serious offenses are reviewed directly by the circuit court instead. If the Board denies relief, the cardholder may petition for judicial review in circuit court. During the appeal process, the revocation remains in effect and the person may not possess firearms or ammunition.[1]