* This is happening as I’m putting together this post…
Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans to sign a bill Thursday that would give the state more oversight over Illinois gun dealers, after Democrats kept the paperwork off former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk in order to avoid a veto during his administration’s final days.
The proposal would require firearm stores to get state licenses, a move that supporters contend could reduce gun violence because federal regulators are stretched too thin to adequately handle all the shops operating in Illinois.
Pritzker is set to sign it into law at a Chicago elementary school Thursday morning. Lawmakers approved it last year in the wake of the killing of Chicago police Cmdr. Paul Bauer and the high school shooting in Parkland, Fla.
“This is a common-sense piece of legislation, so when I introduced it a decade and a half ago, I thought we would be celebrating this day much sooner,” Democratic state Sen. Don Harmon of Oak Park, the proposal’s sponsor, said. “But important causes are worth fighting for, and I am proud to stand with the countless advocates and supporters who have stuck with us for all these years.”
* Illinois State Rifle Association…
The state licenses for gun dealers measure was passed in the previous General Assembly but was never sent to Governor Rauner because 2nd Amendment rights opponents knew he would veto it. Political gamesmanship like this is just a typical day in Illinois politics. The Illinois State Rifle Association is deeply disappointed in the action taken today, but is certainly not surprised.
The federal government already licenses gun dealers. There is no need to add yet another layer of bureaucracy on gun dealers. The only thing this measure is going to do is make it cost more money for gun dealers to do business in Illinois, which is going to hurt the smaller dealers.
The action taken today is another assault on our 2nd Amendment rights. Nothing in this bill is going to enhance public safety in Illinois. The only thing that is being accomplished here is the creation of a bureaucratic nightmare for gun dealers. Rest assured, we will be challenging this new law in court.
* GPAC sent this out in advance…
Today Governor JB Pritzker signed SB 337, the Combating Illegal Gun Trafficking Act, as one of his first official acts in office. With that signature, families of victims killed by illegally obtained guns can find peace of mind knowing that lives will be saved by SB 337 becoming the law of the land in Illinois.
The bill gives state authorities and law enforcement the tools to require better business practices among federally licensed gun dealers and hold corrupt dealers accountable in the state to keep guns away from criminals. The signing comes after Governor Rauner recently vetoed a similar bill even after lawmakers and the overwhelming majority of residents across the state called for him to approve it.
“We are thrilled that Governor Pritzker fulfilled his promise to protect children and families in Illinois from gun violence by signing SB 337 into law,” said Kathleen Sances, President and CEO of the Illinois Gun Violence Prevention PAC (G-PAC). “Members of the Illinois Gun Violence Prevention Coalition, especially the parents who have found the strength to turn their unimaginable grief into action, worked tirelessly to fight for its passage. We are grateful to our legislators, notably our bill sponsors Sen. Don Harmon and State Representative Kathleen Willis, who came together in support of this effort. Our streets, communities and families will be safer now that SB 377 is now the law of the land.”
In 2015, as a result of the increasing number of people being killed by gun violence, G-PAC and Giffords joined forces with a broad, statewide, bi-partisan coalition of organizations, advocates and elected officials around a common goal: to help rid Illinois of hundreds of illegal guns that each year end up on our streets and in the hands of those looking to do harm.
G-PAC and the Coalition were responsible for the Our One Job campaign: a historic strategic and targeted social media campaign developed to educate the public about gun violence in Illinois. The campaign reached 4.1 million people and engaged over 62,000 individuals. It was responsible for tens of thousands of contacts — phone calls, emails, petition signatures, social media shares and in-person visits to lawmakers. It was the first time that gun violence prevention contacts outnumbered contacts from gun lobby groups into lawmaker offices.
From 2013 to 2016, 40 percent of guns used in crimes in Chicago came from negligent gun dealers within Illinois, according to the 2017 Gun Trace Report. The new measure will require the Illinois State Police to certify dealers and enacts provisions to better record and track private sales. Several key provisions are:
· Requiring criminal background checks for gun dealer employees
· Training and education for gun dealer employees so our criminal background check system can work better
· Giving Law enforcement the authority to inspect inventories, ensuring gun dealers are held accountable for missing firearms
· Increasing security and public safety by requiring video surveillance for brick and mortar, gun dealer locations
This post will be updated.
…Adding… Governor’s office…
Surrounded by gun violence survivors, prevention advocates, community leaders and elected officials who have worked for years to require licenses for gun dealers, today Governor JB Pritzker signed SB 337 to combat the scourge of illegal gun trafficking, finally making Illinois the 16th state to require gun dealers to be certified by the state after more than a decade of work.
“Gun violence isn’t an issue facing one city, or one region, or one group of people — it affects us all, and I want to thank all those tireless advocates who didn’t rest until our state took commonsense action to prevent gun trafficking,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This bipartisan law is a long-overdue step to do more to prevent gun violence, to make sure guns don’t fall into the wrong hands, to make sure that we license gun shops just like restaurant and other businesses, and deter straw purchases, so that we can prevent someone from buying a gun for someone who is not legally allowed to own a gun.”
The gun violence prevention measure is the second bill Gov. Pritzker signed into law since taking office Monday. SB 337 creates two acts that allow the state to regulate gun dealers and gather information on private sales and illegal gun transfers.
The Firearm Dealer License Certification Act requires any gun dealer in the State of Illinois be certified by the Illinois State Police (ISP). State-licensed dealers are required to provide annual training to employees, have video surveillance in gun stores, and be open for inspection by ISP and local law enforcement.
The Gun Trafficking Information Act requires ISP to publish key information related to crime-related firearms and imposes penalties on individuals who fail to maintain a record of a private sale.
With the federal government failing to effectively regulate gun dealers, state licensing will hold gun dealers responsible while the state takes action to reduce the tragic gun violence that affects so many communities.
“Thank you, Governor Pritzker, for taking action to stop the gun violence,” said Delphine Cherry, a mother of two victims of gun violence. “27 years ago today, I lost my daughter Tyesa to gun violence committed by a 14-year-old who had an illegal gun. Twenty years later, my son Tyler was murdered three days before Christmas. Since I lost Tyesa and Tyler to gun violence, I have made it my mission to make sure no other parent has to join the worst club that I belong to: the club of parents who have lost their children to gun violence. This bill will make sure gun dealers are held accountable and stop them from illegally selling guns like the one used to kill my daughter.”
“It only took Governor Pritzker four days - not four years - to realize that if the state can license a barber shop or a liquor store, we can license gun dealers,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “I commend Governor Pritzker for prioritizing this important public safety measure that will reduce the number of illegal guns on our streets and allow the Chicago police to further crack down crime.”
“Gun violence is a complex problem, and no one law will solve it,” said Sen. Don Harmon (D-39th), who sponsored the measure in the Illinois Senate. “But we know that other states that have enacted similar laws to this one have seen a reduction in guns used in crimes. I am grateful to Gov. Pritzker for signing this legislation into law.”
“This bipartisan law will not harm any gun dealer that operates in good faith, but it does ensure accountability for dealers that fail to make efforts to keep guns from falling into the hands of criminals,” said Rep. Kathleen Willis (D-77th), who sponsored the measure in the Illinois House. “I would like to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and Governor Pritzker for their support on this important measure.”
“As one of his first official acts to sign the gun dealer licensing bill, this speaks volumes about the Governor’s commitment and passion to help Chicago reduce gun violence,” said Chicago Police Department Superintendent Eddie Johnson. “The tools provided in this legislation to state and local police will significantly help our ability to regulate gun dealers and monitor and interdict the illegal flow of guns into cities like Chicago.”
“Gun violence is prevalent in too many neighborhoods and communities throughout the state, my own included. We must take a comprehensive approach to addressing the level of violence in Illinois, and that includes stopping the flow of guns trafficked into Illinois,” said Attorney General Kwame Raoul. “I would like to thank Governor Pritzker for making commonsense licensing one of the first new laws he enacts as governor.”
“In 2018, the most prosecuted offense by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office was the unlawful use of a weapon,” said Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx. “It is past time that we do more to keep illegal firearms off of our streets and today’s signing of SB 337 is a step in the right direction. I look forward to a continued partnership with the Illinois General Assembly and Governor Pritzker on sensible legislation to make Cook County safer.”
“It’s time to consider our moral obligation to our communities,” said Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson. “Our highest priority must be keeping our children free of gun violence. Senate Bill 337 puts that extra layer of protection in place to keep us all safe.”
* Senate sponsor…
Sixteen years after State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) first introduced similar legislation, Gov. JB Pritzker today signed his measure requiring gun dealers to be certified by the state.
“When I first introduced a version of this bill in 2003, I thought we would be having this celebration a little sooner,” Harmon said. “This bill will help, but there’s more work to be done. I ask all of our dedicated supporters to remain in this fight.”
The Combating Illegal Gun Trafficking Act contains provisions to better record and track private gun sales. It treats all firearm licensees the same, regardless of their size. It requires the Illinois State Police, rather than the state agency that regulates professions and occupations, to certify gun dealers.
Additional provisions in the bipartisan proposal include:
· requiring gun dealers to safely store firearms at all times,
· requiring gun dealers to make copies of FOID cards or IDs and attach them to documentation detailing each gun sale,
· requiring employees to undergo annual training about the law and responsible business practices, and
· requiring gun dealers to open their place of business for inspection by state and local police.
Harmon’s district includes portions of the West Side of Chicago, an area that has been plagued with gun violence for years. As of Dec. 23, the Chicago Police Department reported 555 homicides in Chicago in 2018.
“Gun violence is a complex problem, and no one law will solve it,” Harmon said. “But we know that other states that have enacted similar laws to this one have seen a reduction in guns used in crimes. I am grateful to Gov. Pritzker for signing this legislation into law.”
* The Illinois chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America…
“This is an important step forward for Illinois,” said Lauren Quinn, volunteer chapter leader with the Illinois chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “These are smart, focused measures to prevent gun trafficking - and do so while respecting the rights of responsible gun owners and sellers. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who worked to make this possible, particularly Sen. Harmon, Rep. Willis, Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois Gun Violence Prevention Coalition.”
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 9:54 am:
I wonder what Harmons comment of ‘theres more work yet to be done’ means?
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 9:56 am:
–The action taken today is another assault on our 2nd Amendment rights. –
Is it really, Richard? How so? Please be specific.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:00 am:
Fair enough. But the far majority of gun violence occurs with illegal guns. Violence in Chicago doesn’t change much because of this law.
- Brendan - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:02 am:
Look at the insane blood lust Republicans squirm. I keep telling them…. Kentucky is RIGHT over the river. Please, just leave.
- Saluki - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:07 am:
== I wonder what Harmons comment of ‘theres more work yet to be done’ means? ==
It means there is never enough gun legislation for Illinois Democrats.
- SW - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:07 am:
This bill will do nothing but drive small retailers out of business, leaving the big retailers that can afford to comply. The result will be increased prices for firearms. A recent federal DOJ study states rifles are used in less than 2% of crimes and criminals obtained less than 1.3% of the guns used in crime from retail sources. Furthermore, the state police are so overwhelmed cases are being dismissed because lab work is not getting done, they are behind in processing FOIA applications, and their background check obligations will greatly expand when recreational cannabis is approved.
- steve - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:08 am:
This is first of many laws , coming from the Illinois legislature, about regulating guns out of existence in Illinois. Eventually gun stores and gun ranges will not be allowed to be 10,000 feet from a school, bar, daycare center, playground, shopping mall, and who knows what else. Also, look for a massive ammunition tax in the future.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:08 am:
Uh, yesterday was kind of a slow day on CapFax…..dont think it will be today.
- Brendan - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:09 am:
South County. He is your governor. 🤣
What in your right mind thinks its ok to have killing machines on the streets. And dont say the constitution, because that will be ammended as soon as democrats have control of all three branches of government and the NRA are exposed for the Russian funded terrorists they are.
- Birdseed - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:12 am:
=== “This bipartisan law will not harm any gun dealer that operates in good faith….”
Except for the thousands of dollars it will cost to comply.
- Sunshyne40 - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:12 am:
Liquor establishments have multiple licensing as well on city, state & county level. The liquor is tracked and invoices are accounted for. They have tracking measures in place that indicate if an individual buys over a certain amount of alcohol at one time and the inspections are done at least two times a year. So why shouldn’t there be more oversite for gun dealers??
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:12 am:
–Everything you think it means, gun bans, mag bans,–
How does this licensing requirement equal gun and magazine bans?
Believe me, I get the purpose for the regular hysteria out of ISRA. I imagine it’s been hard for you guys to raise money since you got conceal-carry. Gotta find a hook for those contribution pleas.
- illinois_citizen - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:13 am:
this does nothing to curb illegal gun sales. the key term in the previous statement is “illegal” this only affects folks that do things legally.
- Get a Job! - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:14 am:
Nothing precludes the State from investigating gun shops they believe are committing weapons crimes. Nothing precludes them from seeking the assistance of the Feds either.
This bill does nothing to prevent or reduce gun violence. The bill is designed only makes it more difficult for gun shops to operate in the State of Illinois…..That is why its and assault on our 2nd Amendment rights.
- steve - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:15 am:
- Brendan -
Good luck with amending the constitution. That would take a resolution of 2/3 in the House and the Senate and then 38 states would have to approve of it. Brendan : you are more likely to win the Powerball three weeks in row before that happens. Best of luck though.
- Juice - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:16 am:
Anonymous at 10am, a lot of those illegal guns started off a legal purchases.
From the post, “40 percent of guns used in crimes in Chicago came from negligent gun dealers within Illinois…”
Will keeping a closer eye on Chuck’s or other negligent dealers keep all of those purchases from occurring? Almost certainly not. But gun trafficking is a significant problem, and in many cases, federally licensed dealers have been the source of those illegally trafficked guns.
- yinn - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:16 am:
I see someones are being obtuse about the “well-regulated” part of the Second Amendment.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:17 am:
===multiple licensing as well on city, state & county level===
And the feds are part of that stew.
- Ill_citizen - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:21 am:
This legislation does nothing to curb illegal gun sales. The key term here is “illegal”. This only affects the honest dealer.
- TheGoodLieutenant - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:21 am:
== What in your right mind thinks its ok to have killing machines on the streets. And dont say the constitution, because that will be ammended as soon as democrats have control of all three branches of government and the NRA are exposed for the Russian funded terrorists they are. == Reynolds Wrap is on sale at Costco.
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:22 am:
I doubt JB will give much consideration to eliminating the FOID idea.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:24 am:
===jabba===
Classy. Thanks for elevating the debate and adding to the discourse in a positive and persuasive manner.
- SSL - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:28 am:
It would be good to see people come together in the interest of common good. This issue seems to be all or nothing, which prevents that from happening. I’m not a proponent of increased government regulation in most cases, but the level of gun violence and apparent ease of obtaining one is concerning. Not the worst piece of legislation JB will sign.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:33 am:
==Except for the thousand of dollars it costs to comply .==
Really?The state license is going to cost thousands of dollars? No snark here. I am just surprised. Who told you that? The FOID card takes 5 minutes to fill out and costs $10. Won’t the new license be somewhat in the ballpark?
- steve - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:34 am:
Gun violence isn’t a big problem in many places in Illinois. Just certain places. Funny how certain places don’t have an epidemic of gun violence. But, virtue signalling of more regulation will help solve the problem. Will Gov. Pritzker be signing another gun law in 18 months?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:34 am:
I’d like to see gun owners have to carry insurance just like automobile owners do.
- Birdseed - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:37 am:
=== - Da Big Bad Wolf - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:33 am:
Really?The state license is going to cost thousands of dollars? ===
$1,500 for the license, plus video surveillance and recording system covering the whole place, plus……
- Birdseed - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:38 am:
The requirements are in the law. Of course they won’t highlight those in these press pops.
- steve - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:39 am:
- Anonymous -
Why should gun owners have to carry insurance? The overwhelming majority aren’t causing any problems.
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:39 am:
Anon. How much liability would you like to see gun owner carry? $10 mill?
- ChicagoVinny - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:41 am:
15 other states, including Alabama and Indiana, have some form of state gun dealer licensing.
The world isn’t ending folks.
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:42 am:
For those parroting the 2nd amendment.
Keep in mind it relates to your right to keep and bare arms.
Buying and selling guns isn’t mentioned anywhere in the 2nd amendment.
- striketoo - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:43 am:
This is the law we actually need but are not going to get. https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/bill-targeting-repeat-gun-offenders-passes-but-motion-stalls-it/
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:44 am:
===Why should gun owners have to carry insurance?T he overwhelming majority aren’t causing any problems.===
Then that insurance will be really cheap, won’t it.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:44 am:
–Why should gun owners have to carry insurance? The overwhelming majority aren’t causing any problems.–
Same is true for car owners. I’ve been paying car insurance for nearly 40 years and have never had a claim.
- steve - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:46 am:
- TheInvisibleMan -
I’m quite confident the Illinois legislature will make it quite affordable. They are excellent with math. Just look at how they run a pension system. They are so fantastic that Illinois leads the nation in losing population.
- muon - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:46 am:
Juice - The operative word is “negligent” and what that means. 40% of guns seized in Chicago crimes trace back to legitimate sales by Illinois gun dealers. That quote appears in the 2017 Chicago Gun Trace Report and may be the original source. The same report says that 92% of the guns traced to owners with only one crime gun. The report also states that 95% of those found with the gun in a crime were not the original purchaser. That makes it very likely that the vast majority of guns used in Chicago crimes were obtained by straw purchasers. Given that they are making only one purchase over four years, I suspect that they are pretty hard to spot by a dealer at the time of purchase.
So back to use of negligent as a description and the impact of this law. Given the data in the Chicago report, it isn’t clear where the negligence is, other than perhaps the inability to spot these straw purchasers. If negligent is just a word thrown out by a group opposed to guns overall, then I suspect that the act will do little to thwart those straw purchasers.
If this act does anything to curb Chicago gun violence, then somehow it has to help the dealers recognize this class of straw purchasers. That means training to spot a legal first time buyer who is in fact acting as a straw purchaser. Even with such training, it seems hard for the dealer to deny the purchase to a facially legit buyer. They may be stuck simply selling the gun and reporting the suspicious buyer to the ISP.
- Mason born - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:47 am:
Illegal guns are primarily a problem of Straw Buyers which we can usually track down but don’t have the will to prosecute many of them are impoverished & folks we’re normally sympathetic to. That’s a big rub & I’m not sure going all tough on crime with crazy sentencing is the fix. (Maybe someway of putting them on the NCIS so they can’t purchase but not ruining their life for a 1st mistake, repeated so be it)
As for compliance costs I think folks are talking past each other, for Chucks or a traditional Brick & Mortar store it’s not going to be a huge deal spread the cost around it’s not huge, but there are also dealers who work it more as a side job. Out of their garage etc. They obey the law check all the boxes but rarely carry inventory or even work like a shop. Usually their customers are people they know/work with who want to order a particular firearm they can’t get at walmart, etc. For those guys the cost will be a large percentage of their sales, video, fees, etc. If you only sell a dozen or so it’ll be big. Now you’re of course free to decide those dealers aren’t important but it will have an affect for them. Most of whom are definitely not a problem.
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:48 am:
Looks like this is just the first of possibly many costs pushed onto the backs of the working poor and middle class by JB. I will be counting.
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:52 am:
==They are so fantastic that Illinois leads the nation in losing population.==
IL doesn’t have the lead in losing population either in total numbers, or by percentage of total population.
Those rankings go to New York and West Virginia respectively.
But this of course has nothing to do with a gun licensing bill.
- Mason born - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:52 am:
Muon
I’m honestly not sure how you diferentiate a straw purchaser from a 1st time buyer who is nervous. Not knocking it I wish it was easy.
- SaulGoodman - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:55 am:
**This is the law we actually need but are not going to get. https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/bill-targeting-repeat-gun-offenders-passes-but-motion-stalls-it/**
Uh… that bill already passed and was signed by Rauner.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:55 am:
===I will be counting===
Lol. JB Pritzker: scourge of the poor and middle class firearms dealers.
- Get a Job! - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 10:57 am:
@TheInvisibleMan
Yes, the 2nd amendment deals with gun ownership/use. That being said, if the government can successfully limit the access to purchase guns, isn’t that an infringement on the right to own a gun?
A real similarity could be made to voter right and access. If your State created a system in which you had to drive 50 miles to vote wouldn’t you feel that system was an attack or infringement on your right to vote? I sure would.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:06 am:
==regulating guns out of existence in Illinois===
You can always count on people to come out of the woodwork saying they are going after our guns any time any gun related law passes. It’s automatically “they’re trying to ban guns.” Bull. That’s nothing but nonsensical hyperbole who think any gun regulation is an attack on the 2nd Amendment.
==many costs pushed onto the backs of the working poor and middle class==
I wasn’t aware anyone was required to purchase a firearm. How can a cost be “pushed” if you have a choice in that cost?
- steve - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:10 am:
- TheInvisibleMan -
The meaning of the 2nd Amendment might be changing and not to your liking . Once, Alito incorporated the 2nd via the 14th : he took away much of gun law from the states. Justice Alito has said the 2nd Amendment isn’t the poor first cousin of the 1st Amendment. That could mean many things in the future like any institution receiving federal dollars might have to allow concealed permit holders the right to carry in the future. Teachers might be packing in the future. Who could object to a teaching protecting herself in a dangerous neighborhood school?
- Demoralized - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:14 am:
==Who could object==
I would object. I don’t want a gun in the classroom with my child.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:18 am:
Anyone think they will change their stance on gun control based on a comment they read here?
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:18 am:
===I would object.===
He’s trolling. Don’t fall for it.
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:20 am:
47th. As you know, these regulation costs will be passed on to the consumer. Most firearm consumers are the working poor and middle class.
- muon - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:22 am:
Mason born - I agree that it is hard to recognize first-time straw purchasers. Yet clearly they are the problem based on the stats. If the act doesn’t address them, I don’t see how it will do anything to impact gun violence.
One parallel may be in the type of training required to sell alcoholic beverages. When people are trained for liquor sales, one part of that is to know the signs that would be associated with a person buying drinks for a minor. If it was training for a volunteer at a summer fair, then the advice might be to tell a cop that you suspect a straw purchase happened. It’s then up to the officer’s discretion to take further action.
- Shevek - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:26 am:
Believe it or not, all “illegal” guns were sold legally at some point. While this law will not stop the reselling of guns by legal purchasers to criminals, it will help. First, the law will provide law enforcement with enhanced ability to determine illegal activity by an unethical dealer. Second, the recordkeeping and surveillance will ensure that law enforcement will have documentation and video of persons who purchase guns that ended up with criminals, making it easier to track down who used the gun. Third, the law puts criminal penalties on private sellers who do not maintain proper recordkeeping of sales they conduct. Finally, the sponsor and supporters of this law are correct, the ATF has no ability to regularly inspect firearm dealers to ensure compliance with the state and federal laws. This law requires regular inspections, which will help, not only keeping dealers on the straight and narrow, but will also ensure that any unintentional deficiencies by the dealer are corrected.
Pharmacies are licensed and inspected regularly, why shouldn’t gun dealers? This is just common sense.
- Pundent - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:26 am:
=That being said, if the government can successfully limit the access to purchase guns, isn’t that an infringement on the right to own a gun?=
The state also requires establishments to hold liquor licenses. Based on your logic the state has also limited our ability to have a cold one.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:27 am:
Your concern for the working poor and middle class is noted.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:27 am:
===these regulation costs will be passed on to the consumer===
Or, more likely, the dealers will eat those costs, or find ways to economize. Prices are very competitive out there. And I can easily check the Interwebtubes to comparison shop.
Point being, not all costs are passed along.
- Mason born - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:30 am:
Muon
I get that & we need some sort of fix but I’m not sure how we can do it. If they solve the riddle more power to them.
- shanks - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:31 am:
…Because gun dealers are the ones illegally trafficking guns…I doubt it. Just another penalty for doing business in Illinois.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:39 am:
Im a gun owner. I dont really see these regulations as restrictive. The power of the State to enforce existing laws is improved. Nothing was actually banned ny this legislation.
If we can protect my rights and cut down on gun violence and crime.. That is an easy decision.
Great call, Guv. I hope this is a signal for how Illinois will address gun violence.
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:40 am:
Can someone direct me to the Gun Trafficking portion of this. I cant get specifics on this.
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:42 am:
Looking for clarification of ‘private sale’.
- Amalia - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:51 am:
Gun Dealer Licensing was first proposed about 1998. Think it was a proposal that came from Chicago elected officials. this is a long time coming.
- Flapdoodle - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:52 am:
BDD asks what “Harmon’s comment of ‘theres more work yet to be done’ means?” Pretty obviously, it means a lot of different things to different people — just look at the responses on the blog.
Practically speaking, I suspect we can look forward to attempts at regulating of magazine sizes (10 rounds or less), long guns that use an AR-15 type pistol grip, amount of ammunition purchased at one time, and tracking ammunition purchases. Perhaps also increased training requirements and more frequent FOID/CCW renewals.
Federal and State constitutional protections will block the extreme measures alleged by frothing gun organizations.
- Anoneeemus - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:52 am:
I have two general problems with this, or any, law that further regulates firearm ownership or sales.
The first is that this is another duplicative layer of law - the feds require it… the other being the FOID card. Federal background checks are already required when purchasing a firearm… these are both just an additional layer of bureaucracy that have not, and probably will not reduce gun violence significantly. It’s addressing the problem of gun violence from an ineffective angle. Which leads me to my second issue.
It seems that most issues of gun violence boil down to two main issues: poverty related, or mental health related. I see very little in the way of legislation to address these two issues as they relate to gun violence. I don’t want to sound like a parrot when I say this, but Chicago has maybe the most restrictive gun laws in the country. As do a couple of other big cities that have a gun violence epidemic. It would seem that more laws further regulating the gun industry probably ain’t gonna do the trick.
However, there are some programs that have had an impact. Granted, they are unconventional, but we should be more concerned with solutions that work than doing more of the same, which is how I view this law.
- Anon-WHY-mus - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:59 am:
The cost of this bill can be passed on to the public in the form of what it will cost the state to now regulate this business, train new inspectors, paperwork, etc. etc. Even during the hearings on this bill, the office of professional regulation said it is not ready for this, that this was not their thing and the infrastructure to manage this was going to be costly. So, while the dealer might have to pass on the cost to the consumer, the cost of the licenses alone is not going to feed this machine.
- Flat Bed Ford - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 12:10 pm:
Well, I certainly feel safer now walking the streets of Chicago. /s
Willing to wager that shootings per year do not stray from the historical data. Same for firearm related convictions. This is a feel-good piece of legislation that will have zero impact on criminal conduct. Our streets are no safer now than they were 24 hours ago.
- Minnie Pearl Jam - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 12:13 pm:
Thank you, Senator Harmon.
Thank you for building a coalition, keeping the coalition together and keeping this bill alive through Rauner.
Again, thank you, Senator Harmon.
- Cornfed - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 12:34 pm:
The lack of ethics on display by holding a bill until you get your governor of choice is obviously lost on Illinois Democrat’s.
- Ike - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 12:41 pm:
Cornfed - the lack of ethics on display by refusing to seat (or even having having a hearing for) a supreme court nominee until you get your president of choice is obviously loss on republicans.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 12:43 pm:
===The lack of ethics on display===
I think maybe you should learn the meaning of “ethics” before commenting again. This is a legit legislative tactic. They even held one for Rauner back in 2015.
- Cornfed - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 12:50 pm:
The two issues aren’t even in the same ballpark, but ok. When the GA is dissolved, all unsigned bills should die with it.
- Donnie Elgin - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 12:51 pm:
“the dealers will eat those costs, or find ways to economize”
Hundreds of FFL dealers in Illinois run their business out of the licensee’s home. Not sure how they can economize anymore; and even without a retail location the state will require a $300 fee annually.
“Provides that the fee may not exceed $300 for a certified licensee operating without a retail location.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 12:52 pm:
===Not sure how they can economize anymore===
Then they’ll eat the costs. Point being, I doubt anyone has a right to run a gun-dealing operation out of their garage.
- Anon - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 12:54 pm:
Missouri looks better and better
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 12:57 pm:
===Missouri looks better and better ===
If you think you’re gonna change peoples’ minds on this by threatening to move to Illinois after gun dealers were licensed, then you need to think again.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 1:19 pm:
I consider this law mostly unnecessary but it won’t really affect the dealer I use. He already complies with all the requirements except the new one of having a state level license.
I do see it affecting the hobbyist type gun seller.
- seenthebigpicture - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 1:22 pm:
We have two FFL dealers working out of garages in my town.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 1:28 pm:
== Federal and State constitutional protections will block the extreme measures alleged by frothing gun organizations. ==
Historically, 2A rights have not stopped bad gun legislation. Legislatures have passed bad / unconstitional bills and 2A supporters have had to sue in court to get the bad laws negated. Part of the reason groups like the NRA, ISRA and GSL exist.
- Lane Change - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 1:30 pm:
I feel safer already…. We’ll see what happens, with gun violence, in Chicago a year from now. Hopefully, it gets better… I’m not holding my breath.
- Former Resident - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 1:33 pm:
I thought they fixed all these private sale problems when they required a private seller to check the FOID card and wait 72 hours.
https://www.ispfsb.com/Public/Firearms/FOID/PersonToPersonFirearmTransfer.aspx
- FormerParatrooper - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 1:39 pm:
The legislation states the cost of implementation and administration of the law. I may be somewhat cynical to think that in order for the continued administration of this would create incentives to find minor infractions and fine them beyond what is reasonable.
As written, the law only raise costs, and for those legal firearms dealers operating on a slim margin this may prove too costly to continue business.
As for the traffickers in firearms, it does nothing to stop them. Just as the drug laws did nothing to stop that trafficking, this law will not do anything in my opinion to slow violent people from getting their tools.
- Truth Squad - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 1:48 pm:
Look at the insane blood lust Republicans squirm.
—-
Give me a break. I’m a pro-2nd Amendment conservative that supports gun control. So, I don’t want to hear it.
My question about this bill is this: what does it do to curb gun violence? The answer is nothing. It’s just more empty rhetoric from Chicago Democrats.
- Duty to Complain - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 1:52 pm:
This legislation is designed to punish the 4 or 5 gunshops surround the city that sell 90% of the guns purchased by city dwellers over the past 35 years. Great. What it will do is drive the small gun dealers not of business, not these guys.
There will be no small gun shops south of I-80 or West of IL-47.
This will drive new federal litigation challenging the ATF’s regulation banning interstate purchase of handguns.
- Shevek - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 1:55 pm:
@RNUG - I can’t remember ever disagreeing with you, but there is absolutely no way this law gets overturned on constitutional grounds. Obviously, requiring a license to sell firearms is constitutional, otherwise there wouldn’t be a federal law requiring it, right? All the other provisions do is allow state and local law enforcement to enforce federal laws already required of firearm dealers.
Now, if you were not commenting on the law at issue but rather “extreme measures”, then I have no disagreement.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 2:20 pm:
Shevek, re-read what I said. I never said THIS law would be over turned.
What I said was constitutional protections don’t block invalid laws from being enacted.
Remember, a court will give any law the presumption of being valid because a Legislature enacted it. If someone thinks a law is illegal or violates their rights, they have to prove it to a court.
- Lawman - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 2:28 pm:
Any gun legislation seems to bring out the crazy talk from both sides. I remember when concealed carry was passed and we were assured that there would be gunfights in the street, returning to the Wild West, etc. Did any of that happen. Not that I recall.
This legislation is not the death of the 2nd amendment either.
- muon - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 2:35 pm:
Duty to Complain - I think you are largely correct, and the sponsors hope to do something about some big sellers that have gotten a lot of press. If I go back to the Chicago Gun Trace Report for the period between 2013 and 2016, there are two shops that are the source of a disproportionate number of recovered guns. They are located near the city in Cook County and accounted for 6.7% and 4.5% of the recovered guns, which is over a quarter of the guns that originated in Illinois.
However, beyond those two it gets hard to find a target. The 3rd and 4th largest sellers are both in NW Indiana and beyond the reach of any Illinois act. After that it drops off rapidly. To complicate matters the report notes that there is a considerable ebb and flow to sales after the top two. For example the 4th highest source dealer in 2013 dropped considerably by 2016, while a dealer that was out of the top 10 rose to number 4 over the same period.
I see this as mobility in the straw purchase community. The straw purchasers shift their business to locations that are more favorable, and can do so quickly. This goes back to my earlier point that any effective program to curb gun violence has to hone in on straw purchases, not just licensing the dealers.
- Dave W - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 2:50 pm:
This BS law won’t save a single life. But white liberal politicians can slap each other’s backs and pretend that they’ve made the inner city black communitites more safe. Then they will go back to their safe communities while absolutely NOTHING will change to stem the gun violence in the inner city.
- JDuc - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 3:56 pm:
Will do nothing to decrease gun crimes in Illinois. Just a way to harm gun dealers and start the war on law abiding gun owners.
- Nonbeleiver - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 4:18 pm:
A very reasonable law.
But is there more to come, and if so what?
And that is what many reasonable people are concerned about.
Won’t stop gun violence in those selected areas of Chicago where it is such a problem.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 5:14 pm:
To quote from another story: - JoanP - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 2:53 pm:
“Y’know, whenever someone describes a proposal as “common sense legislation”, my bs meter starts to beep.”
In this case, she’d be right.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 5:37 pm:
== imposes penalties on individuals who fail to maintain a record of a private sale. ==
This is one feel good part of the bill. It was already law.
From the back side of my current FOID:
b) Any person within this State who tesnsfrrd or causes to be transferred any firearm shall keep a record of such transfer for a period of 10 years from the date of transfer. Such record shall contain the date of the transfer, the description, setisl number of other information identifying the firearm if no setisl number is available, and, if the transfer was completed in this State, the transferee’s FOID number. …
- RNUG - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 6:03 pm:
For everyone complaining about the FOID, a bit of historical perspective. Back when the State hit serious snout gun control, licensing the gun owner (FOID) was the compromise; the alternative was the State maintaining a database literally licensing each individual firearm by make / model / serial number … which is how a lot of states do it. Personally, I’ll take the FOID approach.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 6:40 pm:
So $300 for five years for garage dealers, $1500 for five years for retail gun shops, this isn’t going to hurt anyone.
- Flapdoodle - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 8:29 pm:
@RNUG 1:28: See your point, but I think we actually agree. Not saying bad legislation won’t be passed, just that it is (usually) unlikely to pass constitutional muster.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 8:41 pm:
Couple of interesting stories that popped up in my news feed on this subject … Link in first story takes you a second one.
https://tinyurl.com/ya267×35
- RNUG - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 9:07 pm:
Posted link doesn’t work … but when I copy and paste in my browser it does work.
Oh well … not going to post the long one and blow up the page
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 11:38 pm:
- Minnie Pearl Jam –
That’s one heckuva twisted handle. Well done.