SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –
The Illinois chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today applauded the Illinois Senate’s final passage of 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 the Illinois Gun Violence Prevention Coalition and gun violence prevention groups across the state advocated in support of for years. Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed that bill 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 House of Representatives passed SB 337 Tuesday with a 65-49 vote that included support from members of both major parties. It goes next 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 have taken the governor’s concerns seriously, and they’ve sent him legislation with significant revisions and bipartisan support. The governor now has a decision to make: Will he find a new excuse to carry the gun lobby’s water, or will he listen to the people of Illinois and enact these sensible steps to reduce gun trafficking?”