SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –
The Illinois chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today applauded the Senate for passing 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 Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed in March. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Just yesterday, Sens. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) and Chris Nybo (R-Elmhurst) held a press conference to introduce SB 337, the bipartisan Combating Illegal Gun Trafficking Act. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday on an 8-3 vote. SB 337 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.
Today’s vote follows years of advocacy from the Illinois Gun Violence Prevention Coalition and gun violence prevention groups across the state, and comes just weeks after Gov. Rauner vetoed SB 1657, the Gun Dealer Licensing Act, despite strong grassroots support for the legislation from Illinoisans.
STATEMENT FROM ELLY HANAUER, VOLUNTEER WITH THE ILLINOIS CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“The victory in the Senate today feels even sweeter knowing how far we’ve come to get here. After the Gun Dealer Licensing Act was vetoed a few months ago, it was clear that the fight for reasonable gun safety laws was not over. We saw past our disappointment to continue advocating. Thankfully, lawmakers matched our efforts and passed SB 337. We urge the House to act quickly to get this important bill to Gov. Rauner and give him another chance to show that he takes public safety seriously.”