Pa. Voter ID Law Could Keep My Daughter from Voting - Unless She Buys a Gun

[JoDog]

6. Must she actually purchase a firearm?

In Illinois, a person can apply for, receive, and hold a firearm owner's identification card (ILFOID), our version of a gun permit, with actually ever buying a gun.

The acts of getting the ILFOID and purchasing the gun are separate. In fact, someone MUST have the ILFOID before buying the gun, i.e., hold the permit while not owning a gun.

I do know a few people in situations similar to that of your daughter who have gotten the ILFOID to use as a photo ID or as a backup/alternate photo ID who do not now own a gun and never intend to do so. The fee for the ILFOID is about the same as that of a state ID card but does not require a visit to the DMV. It can be applied for by mail.

It is far from a perfect solution, but double check with the permit-issuing body (probably the state police). It is very likely that she can just get the ID card under the assumption that she plans to get a gun at some unspecified future date. Then, she could simply "change" her mind about buying a gun and still would have the ID card until it expires.