The Illinois chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today applauded the Illinois House of Representatives for passing SB 337, which would help reduce illegal gun trafficking and hold corrupt gun dealers accountable. The bill includes provisions from the Gun Dealer Licensing Act, which Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed in March despite strong grassroots support for the legislation from Illinoisans.
SB 337, the Combating Illegal Gun Trafficking Act, would:
Require background checks for gun store employees;
- Require gun dealers to keep their business premises open for inspection by law enforcement during business hours;
- Require training for gun dealers and gun store employees on responsible business practices and the laws applicable to selling firearms; and
- Require video surveillance and alarm systems for all brick-and-mortar locations.
The Illinois Senate passed SB 337 last week on a bipartisan vote, after years of advocacy from the Illinois Gun Violence Prevention Coalition and gun violence prevention groups across the state. After today’s 65-49 vote, it goes next to the Senate for concurrence, and then to the governor’s desk.
STATEMENT FROM LAUREN QUINN, VOLUNTEER CHAPTER LEADER WITH THE ILLINOIS CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“Lawmakers in both parties have worked together to address the governor’s concerns, and the result is a thoughtful, bipartisan bill. Across the state, people in Illinois are asking our legislators to do more to prevent gun violence, and today’s vote is the latest sign our elected officials are listening.”