http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-996482.mp3
Peoria, IL – Gun owners have won another round in keeping their identities from being made public in Illinois.
A judge in Peoria has ruled the information is off limits.
The Associated Press had requested the names of all 1.3 million holders of Firearm Owner's ID cards in the state. The Attorney General's office ruled the names should be released, but the Illinois State Police resisted.
Rich Pearson, head of the Illinois State Rifle Association, said he is pleased with the judge's ruling. He said making the names public would let criminals know where guns are kept. He also said it would compromise safety of law abiding citizens.
Pearson said it would have gone back to a promise made when the FOID card was first approved in the General Assembly.
"One of the reasons it got passed was gun owners were promised this information would never be divulged," Pearson said.
Lawmakers and the Governor agreed to keep the names private when they approved legislation earlier this year.
Thanks to Illinois Public Radio