Ideas for Jackson's birthday present

Jackson's first birthday is a couple of weeks away and I'm wondering exactly what we should get him. His first bat and ball? One of those little Fred Filinstone cars that he can sit in and walk around the yard? Or maybe I'll just get him a gun. If we lived in Illinois, apparently it would be easy:

My 10-month-old son has the cutest FOID card.

Howard David Ludwig -- affectionately nicknamed Bubba -- received his state-issued Firearm Owner's Identification Card two weeks ago...

As a FOID cardholder, baby Bubba can own a firearm and ammunition in Illinois. He can also legally transport an unloaded weapon -- though he can't walk yet, so that's not an issue.

The plastic card has a picture of a toothless, grinning Bubba in the upper right corner. It includes his name, address and date of birth.

The FOID card lists his height (2 feet, 3 inches), and his weight (20 pounds).

His signature is superimposed at the bottom of the card. Bubba can't sign his name, so I simply placed a pen in his hand. He made the scribble....

Really, there's no reason why Bubba should not have a FOID card.

The program is designed to keep guns away from convicted felons, those convicted of domestic battery or domestic violence and anyone subject to an active Order of Protection.

My 10-month-old son hasn't broken any of these rules -- yet.

But why would the state police issue a FOID card to anyone younger than 18?

I called the state police, who said they followed the law as it's written.

"There is nothing in the FOID Act or any of the rules that says anything about age restrictions," said Lt. Scott Compton, of the Illinois State Police.

On second thought, maybe it's not such a good idea. If he had a gun, he might have hunted down the two wild turkeys grazing in our backyard this morning.

Tags: Illinois Gun Permit Infants