Illinois issues gun permit to a 10-month old baby

Published 18 May 2007

Howard Ludwig is 10-month old (height: 2 feet, 3 inches; weight: 20 pounds), and he now has a permit to carry 12-gauge Beretta shotgun

The State of Illinois has issued a firearm owner’s identification card to Howard Ludwig. There is nothing unusual in that, except that Howard (nicknamed “Bubba”) is only 10-month old. The gun permit application card lists the baby’s height (2 feet, 3 inches) and weight (20 pounds). It has a scribble where the signature should be. With some exceptions, the cards are required of any Illinois residents purchasing or possessing firearms or ammunition within the state. Lt. Scott Compton of the Illinois State Police said that “there are no restrictions under the [firearm owner’s identification] act regarding age of applicants.”

Ludwig’s father applied for the card after his own father bought Bubba a 12-gauge Beretta shotgun as a gift.