MisterMike
Member
I'm a retired USAF cop, now working as a prosecutor. I just finished the process of completing my applications for USAF LEOSA credentials, and for Illinois and Florida concealed carry permits. It's a longish story, but up to this point I've been able to use my USAF retiree ID card, along with an affidavit of eligibility to qualify for an LEOSA card in Illinois. Now that the DoD has come up with a program (albeit a cumbersome one) to get retired LEO credentials, the old method no longer is accepted in Illinois.
Since the USAF's LEOSA credential process is new and since I don't trust that they'll get it right before my current qualification expires at the end of February, I also just completed the Illinois/Florida concealed carry class and did those applications, too. In total, the USAF LEOSA credential process cost me $254, some of which had to be paid to an FBI channeler to initiate a criminal history check. The Illinois/Florida class and application fees amounted to $453.
So, after spending $707, I should be able to exercise my constitutional right to keep and bear arms (with limitations as to where, when and how, of course). I admit that I'm using a belt and suspenders approach that added to my overall cost, but this strikes me as a wee bit ridiculous. In addition to the expenditure of money, I have had to fill out fairly lengthy applications (on line and on paper), have had to locate and spend time to get my FBI check through a channeler, separately had to pay to have my electronic fingerprints submitted for the state of Illinois (same office, different day), then had to have two of the applications notarized and mailed/FedExed.
It was a bit of a learning experience for me. The LEOSA process isn't painless, but it's not too costly ($75/year, plus the time and bullets to qualify), but the average Joe without military experience is pretty much guaranteed to have to spend a minimum of $500 to get a concealed carry permit in Illinois.
There's a high hurdle to being able to legally exercise your fundamental constitutional rights under the Second Amendment, at least in Illinois.
Since the USAF's LEOSA credential process is new and since I don't trust that they'll get it right before my current qualification expires at the end of February, I also just completed the Illinois/Florida concealed carry class and did those applications, too. In total, the USAF LEOSA credential process cost me $254, some of which had to be paid to an FBI channeler to initiate a criminal history check. The Illinois/Florida class and application fees amounted to $453.
So, after spending $707, I should be able to exercise my constitutional right to keep and bear arms (with limitations as to where, when and how, of course). I admit that I'm using a belt and suspenders approach that added to my overall cost, but this strikes me as a wee bit ridiculous. In addition to the expenditure of money, I have had to fill out fairly lengthy applications (on line and on paper), have had to locate and spend time to get my FBI check through a channeler, separately had to pay to have my electronic fingerprints submitted for the state of Illinois (same office, different day), then had to have two of the applications notarized and mailed/FedExed.
It was a bit of a learning experience for me. The LEOSA process isn't painless, but it's not too costly ($75/year, plus the time and bullets to qualify), but the average Joe without military experience is pretty much guaranteed to have to spend a minimum of $500 to get a concealed carry permit in Illinois.
There's a high hurdle to being able to legally exercise your fundamental constitutional rights under the Second Amendment, at least in Illinois.
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