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Gun dealer licensing bill moves to House

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Illinois

(T)he Senate approved legislation that would allow Illinois to license gun dealers, an effort supporters say would crack down on irresponsible sellers behind the city’s gun violence. Opponents argue gun shops already are regulated by the federal government.

* But there was some horse trading involved to keep some powerful interest groups on the sidelines…

The measure would allow Illinois to license gun dealers, currently gun dealers are only licensed through federal regulations. The legislation creates exemptions for big box stores, whose gun sales are 20 percent or less of their overall sales, and small dealers who sell under ten guns a year. The exemption of big box stores caused controversy from those on the right, who say that exemption will cause small businesses throughout the state to shut their doors.

Bill Sponsor Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, acknowledged that provision was only included to help ease some of the opposition to the bill, but that was of no solace to members who fear what it would do to shops in their communities.

“I appreciate your honest and completely transparent answer as to why we have exempted out the big boys, but gosh darnit. I don’t represent the big boys. I represent mom and pop shops trying to put food on their tables, and by the way, they don’t just put food on their table. They sponsor those youth raffles, those habitat restorations. That money stays locally.” said Senator Chapin Rose, R-Champaign.

It’s likely, though, that those big box stores have some pretty strict corporate guidelines to follow, unlike smaller shops.

* Mayor Emanuel…

The Gun Dealer Licensing Bill passing the Senate is an important step to combat gun violence and hold those who enable it accountable. I want to thank Senator Don Harmon, Representative Kathleen Willis, and all our partners in the fight for sensible gun regulations, including the Joyce Foundation, Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, Brady Campaign and UCAN, for supporting this bill. I look forward to the House of Representatives passing this bill, as well, and codifying these commonsense laws so that we can keep guns away from children at schools, and hold those accountable who continue to sell guns that are used in crimes. Stopping straw buyers from giving guns to criminals is essential to improving public safety, not just here in Chicago, but in every corner of the state and across the Midwest.

Trouble is, just 30 Senators voted for the bill, which is the bare minimum. The House is generally more conservative on stuff like this, so it remains to be seen if they can get this to Gov. Rauner’s desk.

* Back to WAND TV…

“Not just in the City of Chicago, but in Oak Park. I’m lucky, I have colleagues in this chamber who see kids shot in front of their house. And dammit we do nothing. Over and over again, we do nothing. I’m not asking for much, I’m asking to give local law enforcement the ability to go into the bad apples and say why do you sell 50 guns to one guy last month. Is that too much to ask?” said Senator Harmon.

* Meanwhile…

The Illinois House passed a bill Thursday that would mean police could no longer arrest parolees just for having contact with a gang member.

By a 67-to-48 bipartisan vote, the House moved to change the law so parolees would need to be involved in gang-related activity to face arrest. The measure now goes to the Senate. […]

The Chicago Sun-Times reported Sunday that in recent years Chicago police have arrested thousands of parolees for having contact with alleged gang members. In communities with large populations of ex-offenders, many parolees have been locked up after walking down the street, visiting with neighbors or getting rides, though they were accused of no other criminal activity.

The story also reported that the cops were increasing those types of arrests because they could no longer bust people for simple pot possession.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 11:01 am

Comments

The democratic party needs to stop its war on gun owners. Gun regulations hurt law abiding citizens, NOT criminals

Comment by John Rawlss Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 11:04 am
So a (another) State Law to address a Chicago (area?) problem? Who seriously thinks the state statute will be enforced more closely than Federal dealer licensing requirements? Perhaps the problem isn’t with federally licensed gun dealers?? Then why this?

Comment by Behind the Scenes Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 11:15 am
Straw purchasing is already a federal offense, as the mayor should know.

Comment by Colby jack Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 11:19 am
It’s a lose-lose for Rauner if this passes. If he vetoes it, he looks like he is against reducing gun violence in Chicago. If he signs it, it would tarnish his phony Carhartt hunting image downstate.

Comment by DuPage Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 11:19 am
=The democratic party needs to stop its war on gun owners. Gun regulations hurt law abiding citizens, NOT criminals=

So tel me how I was able to get my CCL during the “war on gun owners”?

I have more freedom with my guns than I ever have in Illinois.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 11:24 am
Should have focused on high volume dealers or ones that have had a weapon used in a crime in the past 3 years.

Comment by thechampaignlife Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 11:28 am
Just another bill that doesn’t get a budget done.

Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 11:31 am
Having trouble finding how Biss voted on this.

Comment by Blue dog dem Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 11:34 am
Federal law severely limits ATF’s ability to take advantage of the current licensing procedure. The proposed state scheme gives law enforcement a bit more tools to investigate straw purchasers. It’s is 101% true straw purchasing is already illegal. But being able to do something about that illegal conduct is quite a different story.

Comment by DeeForThree Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 11:38 am
“So tell me how I was able to get my CCL during the “war on gun owners”?”
Because the Federal Court of Appeals forced the Democrats in the state legislature to pass the CCW law. But certainly, you knew that, didn’t you?

Comment by striketoo Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 11:38 am
If it passes in the House, Dem’s downstate will be hit for sure for allowing to pass. No matter how loud they argue against it.
Bruce can drown out the noise with the money to push his other agenda items that poll incredibly well downstate.
Plus what Dem candidate is going to actually be able to hit him with it in the general? Pritzker, Biss, Kennedy, Pawar all anti gun folks anyway.

Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 11:38 am
===cops were increasing those types of arrests because they could no longer bust people for simple pot possession===

We also need to change how cops are evaluated for doing their jobs. There should not be an arrest or fine quota. If anything, it should be based on some measure of citizen happiness, crimes per capita comparison to peer communities, and/or comparison to peers on the force.

Comment by thechampaignlife Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 11:39 am
Freshman GOP Senator Tom Rooney deserves huge kudos for his vote on this. Independent tough Legislators is what we need. Good for him. And he probably is a lock for re-election with a great vote like that!

Comment by Illinois Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 11:40 am
Just trying to help Dems out. If you want to improve on that 2 out of 5 union households vote, just stop with anything perceived as anti gun

Comment by Blue dog dem Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 11:48 am
=But certainly, you knew that, didn’t you?=

Well, as I stated, I do have my CCL.

And, after the appeal it was returned to the state for action. There was no “war” on guns and a compromise was reached.

You knew that right?

I am tired of the gun lobby hyperbole, I can carry my weapon now, something I couldn’t do legally before.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 11:53 am
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iYHGTaKuu5A

Case law new legal precedent

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 12:03 pm
Mill, there is a constant war on guns waged by Chicago area legislators who continually throw bills against the wall to see what sticks. That gun lobby you despise is the sole reason you can even own a gun, let along carry it in public.

Comment by Colby jack Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 12:10 pm
What a joke.

Comment by JDuc Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 12:11 pm
Why bother when they won’t actually hold those responsible and put them in jail where they belong.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170414/news/170419171/

Comment by Rebel13 Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 12:13 pm
Rebel13, I looked at that a while back. She cooperated with the cops. Put her life in danger one could say. That’s why her sentence was so lenient.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 12:21 pm
there is not a war on guns. there is a war on people who sell guns illegally and who take little care keeping track of to whom they sell guns. there are few federal resources to help and also few state resources. but adding a bit from the state will make dealers think more about to whom they are selling and keep better track. we own guns at my house. no one is coming after the guns.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 12:26 pm
Not sure how closing down small gun shops will stop violence. Like closing down small used car dealerships to stop drunk driving. The violence is caused by a lucrative drug trade and lack of opportunity.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 12:29 pm
Rich,

I was not aware that she assisted law enforcement and maybe that is why she got such a lenient sentence as the article made no mention of it.

Unfortunately we read time and again how people caught with illegal guns, or UUW and they are given probation, boot camp etc. all I am saying is if we just enforce the laws we have then we shouldn’t be needing new ones.

Federal prosecution for illegal guns has been abysmal here in Illinois for the last decade.

Comment by Rebel13 Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 12:32 pm
===as the article made no mention of it.===

That’s why Google exists.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 12:36 pm
Colby jack- “…there is a constant war on guns waged by Chicago area legislators who continually throw bills against the wall to see what sticks.”

Actually the worst language in gun bills like the criminal Duty to Inform and gun seizure in Brandon Phelps’ 2013 concealed carry bill comes from good old boys like Phelps and Sen. Forby giving the police unions everything they want on a platter, not Chicago area Reps. or the “Chicago Machine” politicians Richard Pearson & ISRA demonize in their press releases.

“That gun lobby you despise is the sole reason you can even own a gun, let along carry it in public.”

Nonsense. NRA members in Illinois are 95% white, which is why none of them lift a finger to help the black folks in Chicago remove the public transportation ban in Phelps’ carry bill. NRA & ISRA do love to use black people from Chicago like Otis McDonald as face men for their lawsuits though. It’s a race hustle.

The only reason NRA & ISRA would oppose state dealer licensing is because it affects the good old boys who live in all-white small towns like Chatsworth, home of ISRA World Headquarters.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 12:42 pm
=Mill, there is a constant war on guns waged by Chicago area legislators who continually throw bills against the wall to see what sticks.=

Again with the hyperbole.

=That gun lobby you despise is the sole reason you can even own a gun, let along carry it in public.=

First, no the NRA and/or gun lobby is not the reason I can own a gun. I see their indoctrination has been effective for you.

Just as those that would try to ban all guns are a left side of the spectrum outlier, so are some of the gun lobby organizations and their pearl clutching shrieks of imminent doom.

Second, despise? That is your word, and just as an aside you are a poor mind reader. I do not despise the NRA or the gun lobby, I am just tired of their hyperbole. It is old and tired. Does more to hurt the cause of responsible gun ownership and hunting than it does to help.

Pay more attention to the meaning of words next time.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 12:43 pm
= small towns like Chatsworth, home of ISRA World Headquarters.=

First- you need a name.

Second, if the above is true I was not aware of that. Interesting, Chatsworth also has a horrible heroin problem. Rural poverty is a quiet but serious problem.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 12:46 pm
ISRA World Headquarters, funny name for a state organization.

Also, nice job of injecting racism where none exists.

Comment by Colby jack Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 12:52 pm
# why none of them lift a finger to help the black folks in Chicago remove the public transportation ban in Phelps’ carry bill #

And WHO insisted on those restrictions ?

Comment by Colby jack Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 12:55 pm
OAK FOREST, IL — Approximately 40 guns were stolen from the Eagle Sports Range overnight. Oak Forest police responded to the business at 5900 W. 159th Street at 4:30 a.m. Friday after a glass break alarm, according to a news release from the city.

A large cinder block was used to break the window at the front of the business, and inside there was a broken display case that had about 40 guns missing. The items were not found anywhere on the premises.

A video security system shows three suspects — all men wearing backpacks — entering the business and removing the firearms. They were all shown fleeing in a blue vehicle. The make and the model of the vehicle is unknown.

Police continue to investigate as of late Friday morning.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 1:09 pm
>>>> And WHO insisted on those restrictions ?
The Liberal Dems including all of the Black Caucus.

Comment by Chicago Guns Matter Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 1:30 pm
I do not see where this Bill will address the issue at hand.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 1:55 pm
Be sure to keep up the annoyances on the law abiding. You know, the ones that actually pay taxes. Which just so happen to pay for, well, all of it. How many left for other states recently? Don’t believe me? Let’s give it six months and revisit the numbers.

Comment by Puddintaine Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 2:06 pm
=That gun lobby you despise is the sole reason you can even own a gun, let along carry it in public.=

So if was you guys that wrote the 2nd Amendment?

Geez, give it another look next time. It’s awfully confusing as written.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 2:06 pm
Anonymous at 12;42 as an ISRA member I would like to inform you that we are opposed to the public transportation ban on concealed carry. We supported a bill, HB0367, to allow for concealed carry on public transport last session the bill did not get out of rules.

Comment by Rod Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 2:12 pm
–Anonymous at 12;42 as an ISRA member I would like to inform you that we are opposed to the public transportation ban on concealed carry. We supported a bill, HB0367, to allow for concealed carry on public transport last session the bill did not get out of rules.–

That’s just swell. Do you ride public transportation a lot?

What are you doing about gun shows that don’t allow conceal-carry of your “daily gun?” That allow open-carry, but unloaded, of your daily gun? They actually confiscate ammunition at the door! What good is an unloaded gun?

Heck, some gun shows don’t allow your daily gun at all.

What are you going to do about those threats to the rights of law-abiding citizens?

Believe it or not, you can’t even bring your gun to Trump’s speech at the NRA show. How hypocritical is that? Trump will have Secret Service protection; those law-abiding citizens will be unprotected.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 2:21 pm
# So if was you guys that wrote the 2nd Amendment? #

No, but it does need defended from the likes of your state senator from time to time, who would ban everything he could get the votes.

Comment by Colby jack Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 2:22 pm
So a law restricting small legal FFL dealers (checked often by ATF) will significantly decrease armed violence in Chicago seems quite a stretch. Prosecuting illegally armed felons properly would be more successful.

Comment by Slippin' Jimmy Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 2:23 pm
–No, but it does need defended from the likes of your state senator from time to time, who would ban everything he could get the votes.–

Based on the clarity of your response, you could have wrote it.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 2:24 pm
Wordslinger

In the interest of accuracy I’d like to point out that the NRA is not banning CCW at the convention. The Secret Service is banning firearms for the duration of the bloated Traffic Cones appearance. The rest of the time it’s allowed. Just being accurate.

Comment by Mason born Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 2:47 pm
Unclear language??

“A healthy diet being necessary to the proper function of a human body, the right of the people to cultivate and consume green vegetables shall not be infringed.”

Seems like its only unclear when someone wants it to be.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 2:48 pm
wordslinger I ride the CTA most days to Chicago and State Street using the Red line. I do not carry a weapon on the train it would be a violation of law. If the ban were lifted I would likely not carry during the peak hours I travel because my office also has a ban on concealed carry and without a car on site I would have to ask that a lockable box be installed for the weapon, which in my opinion would be burdensome for my employer.

I was replying to a post that stated the ISRA did not support lifting the public transportation concealed carry ban, which was not true. In fact the post claimed the ISRA did not care about minority people who took the CTA and could not defend themselves due to the ban.

Comment by Rod Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 2:49 pm
With you 100% JSM.

Comment by Arthur Andersen With Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 3:21 pm
The only reason ISRA types oppose dealer licensing is because the local gun shops provide a place for the good old boys to hang out in burgs like Chatsworth. They could care less about the crime rate in Chicago, they’re too scared to go there.

Check the ‘tudes of these commenters:
JS Mill @ 11:24 a.m.- “I have more freedom with my guns than I ever have in Illinois.”

These guys are actually happy with Illinois gun laws. It works for them, as long as they never leave the trailer park.

The good old boys drive everywhere, so they don’t care about the public tranpo ban. Duty to Inform w/criminal penalties is okay, because why wouldn’t you tell the police you are armed and dangerous? Cops would never shoot you down like Philando Castile in Minnesota, because “everyone knows me around here.” Ambulance drivers and cops can seize your licensed gun during a traffic stop, but they would never shoot you “accidentally” while forcibly disarming you, because you can trust authority figures in your small town to do what’s best for you. Etc.

Check the level of legislative comprehension from the NRA & ISRA brain trust here and you’ll know why Brandon Phelps and Todd Vandermyde still have jobs.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 4:10 pm
# The good old boys drive everywhere, so they don’t care about the public tranpo ban #

Can you read ? The ban is there because of Chicago legislators, at least one of which promptly went out and obtained a CC License after railing against it during the entire process. Hypocrite much ?

Comment by Colby jack Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 4:16 pm
Gun dealers are already federally licensed and highly regulated. This bill does nothing but add more hurdles for law abiding citizens. It will drive up the cost of firearm ownership even more and the criminals will still have easy access to firearms from smash & grabs like what was detailed earlier and from other black market avenues. The criminals aren’t buying their firearms from an FFL.

Comment by Kevin Highland Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 4:28 pm
–The criminals aren’t buying their firearms from an FFL.–

Huh? A straw buyer is not a criminal now?

I’m sure the folks at Chucks are just too trusting. After all those decades of being in business on the South Side, they haven’t spotted a straw buyer yet.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 28, 17 @ 4:34 pm
My personal and frequent experience with my gun shop is that they run the shop by the book. No one even looks at a firearm without a FOID card. The workers are long time employees and adhere to all rules, as stringent as they are, and make NO exceptions. This bill is just another BS attempt to drive gun shops out of business. Its awful.

Comment by JDuc Wednesday, May 3, 17 @ 9:56 am