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* This might help change the subject next week…
In the wake of another tragic mass shooting claiming innocent lives at a Florida high school, Speaker Michael J. Madigan and House Democrats will advance a package of legislation next week that includes stricter regulation of gun dealers, restrictions on the purchase of military-style assault rifles, and stronger laws to keep individuals with a history of mental illness from obtaining guns.
“Young people and families whose lives have been forever changed by tragic school shootings went to their state capital and to Washington this week to demand their local legislators and President Trump get serious about enacting tougher gun laws. Their voices need to be heard because it’s now clearer than ever that while it’s the politicians who are refusing to act, it’s our children who suffer the consequences,” Madigan said. “Here in Illinois, Democrats will act on their plea. We will pursue legislation that limits access to the military-style assault rifles that were used to make schools in Florida and Newton into war zones. We will take steps to keep firearms out of the hands of people with a history of mental illness. And we will hold gun dealers accountable to ensure they are complying with the law.”
Madigan plans to call for a vote on gun dealer licensing legislation next week. The measure will hold gun dealers to the same standard as many other licensed professions including car dealerships, real estate agencies, and even beauty salons, to ensure gun shops meet basic levels of security and training and are complying with all state and federal laws.
“The tragic loss of life we witness on a daily basis on our streets, in our state and across our nation is a moral crisis that demands action,” said Cardinal Blase Cupich. “We must hear the voices of the children whose lives are forever changed and of the families who mourn and resolve to enact strong commonsense laws to help stop this madness. It is not too much to say that innocent people are dying as much from lack of courage and political will among our leaders as from bullets. Action is overdue and urgent.”
In addition to gun dealer licensing, Madigan plans to call a vote on a measure empowering family members and law enforcement to take steps to protect loved ones and the public. The Lethal Violence Order of Protection Act will allow family members or law enforcement officers to ask a court to temporarily intervene and prevent those who are a threat to themselves or others from possessing firearms.
House Democrats will also present legislation preventing people under 21 from purchasing military-style assault rifles, and enhanced screening requirements that will prevent people with a history of mental illness from purchasing firearms.
“Illinois can—and should—enact some of the strongest gun laws in the country, but those laws will only be keeping our children, families and communities safe from gun violence if gun dealers are following them,” said Kathleen Sances, president and CEO of the Gun Violence Prevention PAC. “Holding gun shops accountable is critical to preventing people with dangerous histories from obtaining guns, tracking lost and stolen firearms, and cracking down on straw purchasers.”
The Senate started dealing with the issue this week. Click here for that story.
* The governor has been asked a couple of times in recent days about what he wants to do about gun laws. Here his response at the Northwest Herald…
“We need to do what we can to keep guns from getting into the hands of the criminals and the mentally ill. We also need to respect our Constitution. And we need to talk together to talk, discuss what we can do.”
* From a Bloomington appearance…
Asked about how the state could better protect students and teachers in the wake of the recent mass shooting at a Florida high school, Rauner said Illinois already has some of the nation’s toughest gun laws.
“We need to be respectful of our nation’s Constitution while we work together to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill,” he said.
“I am certainly open to ideas” on how to better prevent gun violence in schools, he added.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 2:45 pm
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Stepping up on the gun issue might be a good way for the Governor to mend fences with Cardinal Cupich.
Comment by SAP Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 2:53 pm
The proposals as outlined make sense to this hunter. I will wait for the details. Last time they tried to define assault rifle it caught up some very old weapons I have that should not have been included.
The temporary taking of weapons is necessary but should be carefully worded. DCFS sees false child abuse claims arising from custody issues and divorces. Something similar could happen with weapons. I am not saying do nothing, just be careful.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 2:55 pm
== We need to do what we can to keep guns from getting into the hands of the criminals and the mentally ill. We also need to respect our Constitution. ==
Dear Governor,
SCOTUS recently refused to hear an appeal of a Circuit Court decision upholding the Maryland assault weapons ban.
Would you accept the Maryland rules as being consistent with the US Constitution?
Comment by Pan Droft Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 2:56 pm
Secure school buildings and more security personnel and measures in the schools. There are already more than enough guns out there to do more destruction, we need to keep the people that would do harm with them out of the schools. Passing tougher gun laws will not keep the millions of guns already out there out of schools, having secure schools will be a better deterrent.
Comment by Stand Tall Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 3:08 pm
If Rauner is a one-termer (and I hope he is), then he could use his lame duckness to actually do some good that would also help reinforce the criminal justice work his administration has done. But, if he instead keeps falling back on “let’s talk” and does nothing while he waits for Janus to be decided, then the GA needs to work around and over him to get things done on this issue. Thoughts and prayers and talk doesn’t save future lives.
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 3:11 pm
Ban assault weapons. Then I’ll take you serious.
Comment by Rutro Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 3:12 pm
Banning the AR15 is not the solution. The AR is no different than any other semi auto rifle. What needs to be regulated is magazine capacity. Most semiautomatic rifles used for hunting have 5 round mags. 100 round mags are available for AR’s. Several school shooters have been subdued when their weapon malfunctioned or when they had to reload.
Comment by Pacman Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 3:19 pm
—Stepping up on the gun issue might be a good way for the Governor to mend fences with Cardinal Cupich.—
I don’t know that the Cardinal is into tit for tat on the killing of unborn children.
Comment by don the legend Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 3:21 pm
== Holding gun shops accountable is critical ==
Think they need to start holding the criminals in Chicago / Cook responsible first by prosecuting the gun law violations (both State and Federal) instead of bargaining them down.
Comment by RNUG Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 3:31 pm
GVRO is important
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 3:32 pm
The AR is an assault rifle, designed for efficient human destruction. Taken together as a system, including it weight, cartridges, muzzle velocity, magazine capacity, it is most effective in a military situation.
When I carried an M-16 in combat, I kept it on semi-automatic by preference, as did many of my comrades. Whether or not the AR 15 is semi-automatic does not remove it from the category of especially efficient people killer.
If you like the AR because “it’s fun to shoot” (as I often hear,) then lock them up securely at shooting ranges, and knock yourself out.
Comment by walker Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 3:34 pm
This press release really puts Rauner’s chocolate milk event in perspective. Rauner participating in a goofy feel good exercise and Madigan and team putting this together. Madigan gets well deserved criticism, but at least he seems to know how to atone for his sins.
Comment by Swift Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 3:51 pm
This madness must stop. Increase protection at the schools immediately, and get about the business of restricting access to guns. Our nation is so far behind the rest of the world on this issue it is ridiculous. Either we address it in a serious way or it is meaningless. Band aid approaches won’t make any difference. If that means amending the constitution so be it.
Comment by SSL Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 3:51 pm
From a political perspective, it’s a good move for Madigan. Stuff most people can agree on. Plus it changes the subject from harressment.
Comment by RNUG Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 3:55 pm
Assault weapons are full auto and have not been legal for ordinary citizens without special stamps for a long time.
I’m fine with keeping those with serious mental illnesses and those convicted of violent crimes from owning any firearm; but most of these discussions miss the real solutions like the following.
http://www.businessinsider.com/one-teachers-brilliant-idea-to-stop-future-school-shootings-has-nothing-to-do-with-guns-2018-2
Comment by logic not emotion Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 3:58 pm
Making schools more secure can be done. There are ways to make doors into the classroom more secure at reasonable cost.
Teachers might be given two shot tasers with laser sights. I prefer these over firearms for many reasons:
1. If stolen by a child they are not as dangerous.
2. The teachers are more likely to use them than a firearm. Firearms are scary to many and require practice to be useful.
3. Most school shootings in the US are one person operations. Occasionally 2. Disabling the shooter stops the attack.
4. Taser misses don’t ricochet and kill or wound bystanders.
5. At close range, teachers desk to classroom door, tasers are effective.
As Florida showed, even having an armed guard on site is not always effective. I know people who have been in scores of firefights. Them I would trust with weapons in a school situation. Most others are questionable even with training.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 4:01 pm
Like the license program at local as they need to have a Federal License also. I am a gun owner and hunter. Close the loop and set accountability as a Dr. is required to be licensed as our many professionals. Revenue also for State.
Comment by Bear 3 Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 4:07 pm
This sentence simply and clearly explains why Republicans are so frustrated by this man:
And we need to talk together to talk, discuss what we can do.
Comment by I Miss Bentohs Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 4:27 pm
–“We need to do what we can to keep guns from getting into the hands of the criminals and the mentally ill.–
Then, as chief executive, enforce current state law and take the guns of those whose FOID cards have been revoked after due process of law.
You are in charge. Do your job.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-illinois-guns-foid-cards-revoked-met-20170206-story.html
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 4:39 pm
good steps. all assault weapons should be out of civilian hands.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 4:46 pm
Amalia- Illinois gun owners agree with you, military style assault weapons and military equipment should be out of civilian hands. Start by disarming local police departments and state police that possess fully automatic assault rifles.
Since police are civilians, and since only members of the U.S. military and activated National Guard and Reserves are not civilians, militarized police forces must be disarmed. Illinois gun owners will turn in their semiautomatic rifles as soon as the police turn in their fully automatic rifles and armored vehicles. Militarized police forces with military weapons and vehicles pose the greatest domestic threat to the Constitution and the rule of law in America.
Comment by Payback Monday, Feb 26, 18 @ 10:50 am
Payback, you have some delusions of grandeur as to the number of people you speak for with your fractured logic.
Got one of those Napoleon hats, too?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Feb 26, 18 @ 11:45 am