Sheriff To Start Checking In On Gun Owners With Revoked Licenses

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Under new procedures announced Monday, investigators from the Lake County Sheriff's Office will try to ensure anyone within the office's patrol area whose license to own a gun or carry a concealed weapon has been revoked.

If Illinois State Police notifies the sheriff's office that a person's firearm owner's identification (FOID) card or concealed carry license (CCL) has been revoked, detectives will be assigned to make contact with the person.

Sheriff's detectives will then attempt to recover the physical cards and make sure no firearms are in possession of the person whose privileges to carry a gun have been revoked. Investigators will review all revocation letters issued by state police dating back to 2016, according to the sheriff's office.

Sheriff John Idleburg said the new procedures was crafted in response to last month's deadly mass shooting at the Henry Pratt Company in Aurora.

"The tragedy in Aurora sent shockwaves through Chicagoland and throughout the country. Our hearts go out to the City of Aurora, the victims of the tragedy, and we are grateful for the brave police officers who risked their lives to save others," Idleburg said. "I will do everything in my power to reduce the likelihood of such a tragedy in Lake County."

Police said a disgruntled employee fatally shot five people and wounded five police officers with a gun he was required to have surrendered five years earlier — when an improperly granted FOID card was revoked. More than 75 percent of people with revoked cards have not provided required firearm disposition records, according to state police.

The sheriff's office said the updated procedure will not eliminate all risks of unlicensed firearms, but it will help keep some guns out of the hands of those who do are not legally permitted to have them.

"My administration is continually evaluating ways we can take proactive approaches ensuring our communities are kept safe; and the measures we are taking regarding FOID and CCL revocations will help us keep a handle on those who are not allowed to have access to firearms," Idleburg said, announcing his office's new policy.

Idleburg's office patrols unincorporated portions of Lake County, as well as the communities of Beach Park, Deer Park, Green Oaks, Lake Barrington, Mettawa, Port Barrington and Volo, among others. State police contact local police departments with revocation notification in other parts of the county.

While the new procedure will be an added responsibility for sheriff's detectives, the overall time spent on most of the follow-ups is expected to be minimal, according to Sgt. Chris Covelli. If detectives encounter a situation where someone is believed to be illegally in possession of guns, the sheriff's office will work with the Lake County State's Attorney's Office to seek a search warrant. Covelli said it was unlikely that a warrant would be needed very often.

Related:

• Kany County Sheriff Enacts New Protocol For Revoked FOIDs After Mass Shooting
  
• Cook County Sheriff Wants Task Forces To Collect Guns When FOID Cards Revoked
• Majority Of Revoked FOID Cards Not Returned: Illinois State Police