68 Comments - Anon - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 4:18 pm: The Governor’s logic on gun dealer licensing is sound. Additionally, there are many who believe licensing is the proverbial “camel’s nose” and that it it just the first of many “common sense” reforms that will be pushed by those who refuse to differentiate between lawful gun purchases/ownership and the illegal purchase/possession/use. - NormalNews - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 4:31 pm: Do you actually think the government types in Illinois can do a better job than the federal government? How many years would we have to wait before the Democrats figure out how to split the money between them before the system was in effect? (See Medical Marijuana) . Absolute duplication of services and a waste of money. - Number140 - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 4:40 pm: The great majority of gun dealers are honest and operate in good faith to ensure that their customers are legal and responsible owners. There are a small number who do not, and whose weapons are consistently found in criminal possession. The ATF is unable to meet its goals for inspecting dealers, and has been hamstrung in its ability to act when they do find problems. SB337 is a necessary tool, and the Governor’s rejection of it is political, not substantive. - RNUG - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 4:47 pm: I actually agree with Rauner on this veto. The local and state officials can pressure the Feds to go after the bad actors. - Cubs in '16 - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 4:47 pm: Voted ‘agree’. This appears to be a logical, well thought out action taken by Rauner. Wish I could say that more often. - 47th Ward - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 4:50 pm: ===The local and state officials can pressure the Feds to go after the bad actors.=== Yes, because the federal government’s enforcement of gun laws is terrific. I’m sure we can count on Congress to give more resources to the ATF to target the few bad apples that are profiting from gang violence in Chicago. RNUG, with respect, I’d suggest the sponsors of this bill wrote it because the feds have proven time and again that they aren’t up to the job and that federal enforcement isn’t enough. - Anonymous - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 4:50 pm: I strongly disagree with Gov Rauner’s logic on this bill. The ATF is underfunded and unable to adequately regulate gun dealers in Illinois. ATF must schedule visits in advance, giving corrupt gun dealers plenty of time to clean up their act, and then cannot visit again for 12 months, allowing these “bad apple” dealers to go right back to their bad business practices. SB337 would give state police the authority stop these dealers from funneling guns to criminals in our state. - RNUG - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 4:56 pm: -47th-, If the Feds are pressured to do so, they can do the job. The northern district here probably prosecuted less gun crimes than any other Federal district according to what I have read in the past. - Randolph Roller - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 4:56 pm: SB 337 requires good business practices by gun sellers in the state. There is no logic or sense to Rauner’s thinking against this bill. It would do something about the gun trafficking problem we have in IL and it would save lives. It does not to interfere with 2nd amendment rights. - Beth - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 4:57 pm: I strongly disagree with Governor Rauner. We know that there are bad apple gun dealers whose guns are found in the hands of criminals. The ATF does not have the resources to reliably check out all the gun dealers that they should be. SB337 fills in the gaps that the ATF has been unable to fill. - Frustrated - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 4:58 pm: It is urgent that we restrict too easy access to guns, wherever people obtain them. We need to hold gun dealers more accountable. I disagree with the governor’s position and perspective. - 47th Ward - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 5:00 pm: ===If the Feds are pressured to do so, they can do the job.=== So they just need a little pressure to stand up to the NRA-funded Congress and the gun fetishists? I’d have guessed grieving parents of dead school children and countless newspaper editorials would have put some pressure on the feds, yet they appear to be immune from pressure to track down, document and prosecute those who are making a fortune selling firearms to criminals. Hope is not working. - Anonymous - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 5:01 pm: I disagree with Gov Rauner’s decision to veto SB337. The reasons he gave were 1) it will add to IL’s bureaucracy (This is untrue because, unlike SB1657, which called for the IDFPR to enforce the law, SB337 (a new, bipartisan version of SB1657) removed this stipulation entirely - specifically in order to ease the bureaucratic burden. The second reason Gov Rauner gave was that SB337 is worse than SB1657. When a reporter asked him to explain in what ways SB337 is worse, he declined to answer. So - he has offered no compelling reason whatsoever for why this bill, which earned strong bipartisan support in the General Assembly should not become law. Furthermore, over 80% of Illinois citizens are in favor of the bill. The people want it, the legislators want it, and Gov Rauner has offered no convincing reason why he should deny their wishes. - Anonymous - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 5:04 pm: I do not agree with Rauner’s veto of SB337. While it is true the federal government licenses gun dealers, they are significantly lacking in the necessary staffing in order to regularly inspect these businesses. If signed into law, this bill will enable the state police to inspect gun dealers to be sure accurate records of purchases are kept, there are surveillance cameras in place to help identify and hopefully deter theives, and that gun store employees at the very least passed the background check required to get a FOID card. These are common sense measures to keep a closer watch on businesses that sell deadly weapons and the gov should sign this into law. - Beth - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 5:04 pm: 40% of guns used in crimes can be traced back to dealers. Why ignore this? ATF does not have the resources to inspect on a regular basis. Read they are inspected every 5-10yrs. What burden? It’s common sense legislation. Background checks for employees handling weapon sales, records of inventory, video to assist in stopping straw purchases & prosecution. The data shows state license requirements reduce number of guns used in crime. Governor Rauner your argument makes no sense. https://www.thetrace.org/rounds/quarter-chicagos-crime-guns-sold-just-ten-dealers/ - Reality - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 5:19 pm: The State does not have the resources to do their current statutorily required job (which expands on a weekly basis), let alone add another new one. If you think the ATF lacks resources, just wait until IL gets into the biz. Money grab. - X - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 5:31 pm: Disagree. The ATF does not have the resources to reliably check out all the gun dealers that they should be. SB337 fills in the gaps that the ATF has been unable to fill. - Kelley - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 5:37 pm: This is common sense legislation that will save lives. Be part of the solution Gov Rauner. Background checks on employees who handle weapons, record of inventory, video to help stop straw purchases and help for the very understaffed ATF. Makes sense to me! - wordslinger - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 5:37 pm: How many federales do you think are actually inspecting licensed gun sellers? - Facts Matter - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 5:44 pm: If people have some time, go read a report that the IL Council for Handgun Violence sites quite often on this topic. I pulled out one paragraph of the studies conclusion that is rather fascinating and tends to back up the GOV. and why he vetoed the bill. I also linked the study. From the conclusion: With these limitations in mind, what can ATF crime-gun trace data tell us about how high-risk gang members get their guns? The first clue is the most important by far: Crime guns carried by gang members tend to be quite old. The median age from first retail sale is over ten years, and only 10% are less than two years old. The typical gang member is not carrying a family heirloom, but rather a gun that has been circulating for years that he probably acquired in the previous few months. Second, and closely related, very few gang members buy their guns new from a dealer. Only 3% were purchased directly from an FFL in a documented sale. Of course, that leaves the possibility of undocumented sales, but they also are a minor part of the picture: at most 5% of guns found in the hands of gang members were sold out the back door by “dirty dealers.” http://home.uchicago.edu/ludwigj/papers/JCrimLC%202015%20Guns%20in%20Chicago.pdf - Brad - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 5:48 pm: I disagree with Governor Rauner. This is an important bill in regards to the public safety of the citizens of Illinois. - RNUG - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 6:00 pm: == Hope is not working. == Is anybody pressuring the Federal District Attorney to make illegal possession and illegal sales enforcement a priority? From what I have seen, they are just demonstrating against local law enforcement. You can’t change things until you bring pressure on the right organization / person. - Amalia - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 6:03 pm: disagree. The ATF does not get the funding it needs. the Republicans cut at the Federal level, and the Republican governor vetoes regulation here. yes, illegal possession should be prosecuted. but you know what’s better? not having a gun in the hands of someone illegally. and regulation helps ensure that. - Arthur Andersen - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 6:05 pm: I agree with the Governor. If the Feds aren’t doing the job, then they need to step it up. Setting up a parallel bureaucracy isn’t an optimal solution, especially when our own cops are already underfunded. - 47th Ward - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 6:09 pm: ===Is anyone pressuring the Federal prosecutor…=== The Chicago area is known as a target-rich environment for illegal gun sales. https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr?keys=Firearms&items_per_page=25 - Change Agent - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 6:14 pm: “According to Loyola University studies on gun violence in Chicago, criminals rarely buy their guns directly from federally licensed and regulated gun dealers.” I don’t think the Governor understands how straw purchasing or other methods of diverting guns to illegal markets work. But I can mention research too–and research from Johns Hopkins shows that regulation of gun dealers reduces illegal gun trafficking. - anonymous 2 - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 6:20 pm: anon - please don’t use the phrase “there are many that believe”. If you believe something, then just say it. Besides, I think DJT may have the copyright. - wordslinger - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 6:24 pm: –I don’t think the Governor understands how straw purchasing or other methods of diverting guns to illegal markets work.– With this guy, believin’ has nothing to do with anything. He’s trying to play both ends. - Purple - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 6:26 pm: I disagree with the Governor. The ATF is the only federal agency whose budget has remained flat since 1972. It is physically impossible with their small staff to inspect all gun dealers in IL regularly. Additionally the ATF does not have specific regulations around best business practices that will hold gun dealers accountable - video survellience, training to identify straw purchasers, employee background checks. These are basic things responsible gun dealers are already doing. When evidence shows that the 26 other states that have enacted some form of Gun Dealer Licensing have seen a significant reduction in gun violence as a direct result why would we not take this opportunity in IL to do something so basic that would reduce the #1 cause of death for children in IL?? This is just common sense. - Jill - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 6:27 pm: Governor, you profess to love your constituents. Your act of vetoing this bill would negate the trust voters had when they voted for you. Please do not veto, but rather sign SB 337 into law. It makes sense. - Laura - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 7:24 pm: States need to do what they can to keep their citizens safe from gun violence. This bill is not about who can buy guns, but rather about how guns are sold. - Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 7:31 pm: Looks like we got Freeped. - Teaching Youth - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 7:32 pm: I disagree with the Governor’s decision. There is no logical reason that having a waiting period is a bad thing. If it helps protect potential victims of violence it is a good thing. Sellers should be licensed. People going fishing need a license, why wouldn’t a person selling a deadly weapon need one? - Paula - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 7:41 pm: This bill allows local law enforcement to inspect dealers. It only makes sense that local police will know who the bad or careless dealers are and can clean up the mess without hurting law abiding dealers. - Susan - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 7:54 pm: This bill does make sense. I agree with Paula. Our local law enforcement is closest to the issue and knows the community and holds members accountable. - Patio - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 7:59 pm: Totally disagree with the Governor. - lisak1095 - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 8:09 pm: I strongly disagree - Facts Matter - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 8:30 pm: Change agent You can mention data but you obviously can’t link data for others to view. - Char - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 8:45 pm: Gun control is something everyone can and should support. Personally, I think there should be lengthy tests on gun expertise required before anyone is allowed to own one, but that’s beside the point. This law is not preventing anyone from buying a gun, just extending the waiting period, which is especially important in the case of mentally unstable people, and allowing local law enforcement to inspect and license dealers. If you are a lawful gun owner and/or seller, what the heck is the problem with that? - E-M - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 8:53 pm: Strongly disagree. - Lara V - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 9:08 pm: Strongly disagree with Gov. Rauner. - Thoughts & Prayers are not enough - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 9:26 pm: I disagree with the Governor. This bill has bipartisan support. This is the time to sign this legislation into law. Reputable, law-abiding gun dealers should not have to compete with dealers who flout the law. This legislation is necessary for the sake of public safety. - Facts Matter - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 9:38 pm: Char, Let’s compare your first sentence as it relates to constitutional Rights. Char statement: “Personally, I think there should be lengthy tests on gun expertise required before anyone is allowed to own one.” Voting rights: “”Personally, I think there should be lengthy tests on candidate expertise required before anyone is allowed to vote.” I could go on but you get the point. - Anna Osis - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 10:05 pm: I strongly disagree with the Governors stance to veto SB337. It is common sense gun legislation. - Anonymous - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 10:51 pm: Disagrees - Anonymous - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 11:05 pm: As Rahm Emanuel said today, ““It is the height of hypocrisy when the same Governor who signed a bill to regulate catfish sales will not stand up and take common sense steps to regulate gun sales.” - Vincent J Hardt - Monday, Jul 16, 18 @ 11:06 pm: Chicago has rampant gun violence, and other parts of the state are not immune from it. We can’t stop all illegal gun trafficking, especially that from out of state, but this bill would give law enforcement a chance to stop a portion of it. The majority of the people and a bipartisan majority of the legislature believe this is worth trying. The Governor should not stand in our way. - Allison Anderson - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 12:54 am: This common sense bill gives Illinois State Police the authority to be the certifier and enforcer of the law, improves record-keeping re gun sales, requires dealers to safely store firearms, requires training on background checks, all aimed at reducing straw purchases, where folks who can legally buy guns do so to sell them to folks who shouldn’t have guns. Without this law, there is no regulation at the state level, and we continue to enable easy gun trafficking in our state. If the Governor vetoes SB337, I will ask my legislators to override it. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 2:18 am: All sorts of small business have to pay registration fees every year in Illinois and don’t go out of business. It is not an unreasonable burden to expect gun dealers to do the same. The state and local agencies should have the authority to enforce rules that the federal agencies do not have the resources to enforce. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 4:55 am: Strongly disagree with the governor. The ATF doesn’t have the man power to monitor this. This is common sense gun legislation. - Change Agent - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 6:04 am: “Facts,” I obviously thought that readers of this esteemed publication were capable of using Google. Here’s a list of references from Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research: https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/johns-hopkins-center-for-gun-policy-and-research/research/gun_trafficking.html. - Anon - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 6:18 am: I strongly disagree with the governor. There are too many bad apple gun dealers and the ATF is underfunded and undermanned. Also having to wait 72 hrs could also help save the lives for those contemplating suicide. - Facts Matter - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 7:26 am: Change agent, Thanks, I will take a look. - Anon - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 7:41 am: The ATF can’t supervise every dun dealer in Illinois. This is a simple step that is hardly onerous to individual business owners (If barber shops can handle beings licensed so can they) and that helps provide an additional measure of safety to Illinois citizens. - Anon - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 7:44 am: Disagree. - Kay - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 8:16 am: The facts are there. States that have their own gun dealer licensing have less gun violence. The federal government is in crisis. We must protect Illinois residents - titan - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 8:21 am: If the state standards mirror the federal ones, would it have been cheaper for the state to work out an intergovernmental agreement to have state law enforcement enforce the federal regulations on behalf of the feds. The state administers lots of other federal programs. Why not this one? - Maria Peterson - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 8:48 am: I disagree - Louis Bailey-Marquis - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 9:21 am: Disagree - Beth - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 10:04 am: Legislation is complaint driven. State law enforcement will be inspecting the problem dealers. This gives law enforcement teeth it needs to go after the dealers that are the problem. Law enforcement supported this legislation. - BLVE - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 10:45 am: SB337 is a necessary tool, and the Governor’s rejection of it is political, not substantive. The great majority of gun dealers are honest and operate in good faith to ensure that their customers are legal and responsible owners. There are a small number who do not, and whose weapons are consistently found in criminal possession. The ATF is unable to meet its goals for inspecting dealers, and has been hamstrung in its ability to act when they do find problems. - Robin - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 10:47 am: I agree with Lauren. Requiring gun dealers to be licensed is something that will help in the overall effort to prevent gun violence. The arguments against it don’t overcome the positive results of requiring licensing. - Jen B - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:52 pm: I disagree with Rauner’s decision to veto SB337. 60% of guns found at crime scenes in Chicago were illegally purchased. That stat says it all, there’s an illegal gun purchasing problem in Chicago. The longer we wait to do something about, the more people are killed/injured by gun violence. - Patti p - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 4:11 pm: I disagree with Governor Rauner. It is pretty simple. This bill is intended to stop criminals. Currently these guns are being used in crimes and stopping illegal gun purchases is the purpose of this bill. The governor is promoting crime with this veto. - Kurt H - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 7:36 pm: Disagree. I am a responsible driver but I have to register my car. I am a responsible pet owner yet I have to register my Dog. Why on earth should I be able to buy a gun from an unlicensed dealer without a waiting period based on “good faith”? - Lee - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 7:39 pm: I disagree with Governor Rauner. This bill will enable Illinois to, he er better control over Dealers to,insure they are using best business practices. Why would he not support this? - Laura - Wednesday, Jul 18, 18 @ 8:35 am: I disagree with the governor. - Barb - Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 7:27 am: disagree Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.