Cook County Sheriff Asks Permission To Seize Weapons From People Who Own Them Illegally

By aaroncynic in News on Feb 1, 2013 10:20PM

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is backing legislation that would allow law enforcement to confiscate guns from people whose Firearm Owner Identification cards have been revoked.

The Sun Times reports the bill, called The Prohibited Persons’ Enforcement Act, would allow police to search the homes of people who have been prohibited from buying guns, without a warrant, and seize any firearms found. The law would also require citizens with an expired or revoked FOID card to return it and account for their guns within 48 hours.

Dart told the Sun Times:

“When you think you have your card revoked because of a criminal conviction or because of mental health, you are supposed to mail it in and if you don’t mail it in, nothing happens. No one comes looking for you. No one is coming to your door. Nothing.”

According to Dart’s office, nearly 5,000 FOID card holders have had their cards revoked and only 20 percent have turned their cards in. More than 800 were revoked because an order of protection was issued and another 870 were revoked for mental health issues.