* Rep. Scott Drury constituent e-mail…

Friends:

Due to your efforts, Sen. Morrison and Sen. Raoul have backed down. Yesterday, a Senate committee passed the House version of the bump stock ban - the version that actually bans bump stocks. Further, Senators Morrison and Raoul agreed to remove the previously inserted poison pill from the Senate version of the bump stock ban and run it as a separate bill. It’s a total victory.

Tough Measures Were Required
Make no mistake, this would not have happened without your phone calls and emails. Some questioned whether this Office should have called out Sen. Morrison like it did. The answer is yes. Senator Morrison betrayed those of us fighting for stronger gun laws. Only by calling her out, were we able to achieve the right result and defeat the NRA.

Playing by the NRA’s Rules
The NRA demands total loyalty. It’s time for those of us truly fighting to prevent gun violence to demand the same. We all know that trust takes a career to build but can be lost forever with one transgression. For whatever reason, Sen. Morrison initially chose the NRA over us. While we are glad we forced her to reverse course, she has unfortunately proven herself untrustworthy and unreliable in this critical battle.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you.

–Scott

* Meanwhile…

Volunteers with the Illinois chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America will be rallying at the state capitol to urge lawmakers to override Governor Bruce Rauner’s veto of the Gun Dealer Licensing Act.

Supporters of the bill said it will protect the public and help prevent gun violence by cracking down on illegal gun sales.

The bill would require background checks for gun store employees, require gun dealers to keep their businesses open for inspection by the state and law enforcement, require training for employees on responsible business practices and laws regarding the sale of firearms, video surveillance and alarm systems to be installed in stores, and for no new stores to operate within 500 feet of a school.

* Press release…

In this video, presented by the Illinois Gun Violence Prevention Coalition (ILGVP), former ATF special agent of 25 years and current Senior Policy Advisor at Giffords, David Chipman, explains the need for the Gun Dealer Licensing Act in Illinois.

The Gun Dealer Licensing Act would require criminal background checks for all gun shop employees. It would require training to help gun shop employees identify a buyer purchasing a gun for someone else, require basic store security measures to help prevent theft, and strengthen law enforcement’s ability to catch those responsible for illegal gun trafficking.

ILGVP conducted a bipartisan poll to gauge public opinion around this bill in key swing suburban cook, collar county and (a few) downstate districts. Support for this bill is widespread, with 71% of voters across these districts favoring the proposal.

* The video…

* Gun Rights 4 Illinois’ website asks “Are Suburban Republicans Flexible with your Gun Rights?”…

Now, this very moment, insider sources are telling GunRights4Illinois that in the Illinois State Capital back room deals are being made. Deals where some Republicans, largely Chicago Suburban area Republicans, are making deals which will effect your gun rights. I’ve often said, “Decisions are made in the back rooms of our state house, the floor debates are just for show.” Essentially what is going on right now, some Chicago Suburban Republicans are horse trading your rights away, “If you vote for my bill, I shall vote for yours.” In the end you LOSE! […]

Sources are also telling GunRights4Illinois that part of the reason these suburban Republicans are so flexible is because Everytown is working a campaign of calls and emails to these politicians, to sway their votes towards the anti-gun, anti-freedom, side. If you think your call doesn’t matter, it does!

…Adding… Pritzker campaign…

Today, JB Pritzker joined calls to override Bruce Rauner’s reckless veto of the Gun Dealer Licensing Act and sign the gun violence prevention legislation on his desk.

“Gun violence is ripping apart our communities, destroying our families, and taking countless innocent lives, but our failed governor refuses to take action to fix this public health epidemic,” said JB Pritzker. “Instead of signing commonsense legislation into law, Bruce Rauner has talked out of both sides of his mouth, dragged his feet, and left Illinois’ families to pay the price. I was proud to march side by side with students demanding an end to gun violence, and I’m proud to support the rally in Springfield today. Illinoisans deserve a governor who will take charge to address gun violence in our communities and I will be that leader.”

* Related…

* Bill giving cities control over assault weapons rules passes Senate committee: “We’re not asking you to approve a statewide ban, we’re asking you to allow locally elected representatives to do their jobs and represent the unique interests of their communities,” said Nancy Rotering, the mayor of north suburban Highland Park and a former candidate for Illinois attorney general. “They may choose to ask the question, and they may choose not to. But at least allow them to exercise that constitutional right.”

* Bill would have eased concealed-carry licensing for Scott AFB personnel. It failed.

* Chicago aldermen scale back ban on civilians wearing body armor: The proposed changes would allow journalists to wear body armor, such as bulletproof vests, while on the job. Actors also would be allowed to wear protection “solely as props” when making movies, TV shows or videos. In addition, the city would put a pause on the ban for about four months as the Illinois General Assembly considers statewide restrictions.