Gun-Totin' Toddler - Baby Receives Gun Permit in Illinois

Howard David Ludwig has been granted a permit to own a gun. Following Illinois law, he now possesses a FOID card (Firearm Owner's Identification Card). Nothing really unusual about that, except that Howard, aka Bubba, is only ten months old.

Illinois state law requires Illinois residents to obtain a Firearm Owner Identification card (called the FOID card) to purchase or possess firearms. The FOID card system is under the purview of the Illinois State Police. A criminal background check is run on all FOID card applicants, and if the background check is passed, a FOID card will be issued within 30 days. FOID cards are valid for five years.

So, getting this card gives Bubba the right to own a gun and ammunition for the next five years. He can also walk with an unloaded weapon throughout Illinois, but since he's still crawling that shouldn't be a problem. But hey, he'll be six before his card expires. Plenty of time for packing heat once those first pesky steps are out of the way.

Bubba's recent acquisition of a FOID can be traced back to a gift given to him by his grandpa. It seems Grandpa Ludwig, an avid trap shooter, bought Bubba gun when the tyke was just a few weeks old. Grandpa felt that a 12-gauge Beretta 686-model shotgun would be a great heirloom for his first grandson. He plans to engrave his name on the trigger guard.

For now, Bubba's gun will be kept in Grandpa Ludwig's gunsafe. Bubba's daddy, Howard Ludwig, wanted to make sure that things were in legal order, so he went to the Illinois State Police web site and downloaded an application.

He filled in the name, address and other pertinent information:
Date of Birth - 2006
Sex - M
Weight - 20 lbs
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? No
In the past 5 years, have you been a patient in any medical facility or part of any medical facility used primarily for the care or treatment of persons for mental illness? No
Are you addicted to narcotics? No
Are you mentally retarded? No
Are you an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States? No

On the signature line is a scribble made by Bubba himself. In the corner is a picture of a smiling, toothless Bubba.