May 17, 2016 – Americans for Responsible Solutions, the national gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and retired NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, and the Illinois Gun Violence Prevention Coalition today applauded the Illinois House Judiciary – Criminal Committee for advancing a new proposal, the Gun Dealer Licensing Act (HB 1016), to help slow the flow of illegal guns in Illinois, and urged legislators to act to save lives.

The bill, which was introduced earlier this month, would give state authorities and law enforcement the tools to encourage better business practices among federally licensed gun dealers and hold corrupt dealers accountable to slow the flow of illegal gun trafficking in Illinois and help keep guns out of the wrong hands. Read more about the Gun Dealer Licensing Act here.

Negligent gun dealers within Illinois fuel the illegal gun trade. From 2009 to 2013, 40 percent of the guns used in crimes in Chicago came from gun dealers within Illinois. But thanks to loopholes in federal law and a lack of federal resources for enforcement, Illinois doesn’t have the tools and authority it needs to combat illegal or negligent business practices that threaten Illinois families.

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“This bill will help level the playing field for gun dealers throughout Illinois by promoting commonsense business practices that will curb the in-state trafficking of illegal firearms. So we applaud leaders in Illinois for advancing a commonsense proposal that will crack down on the illegal gun trade and help keep guns out of dangerous hands,” said Robin Lloyd, State Legislative Director, Americans for Responsible Solutions. “We thank the members of the Illinois House Judiciary – Criminal Committee who supported this commonsense legislation that will hold negligent gun dealers accountable while protecting responsible dealers and the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding people. We urge the leaders in the Illinois House to follow suit and support these responsible changes to Illinois’ laws.”

http://americansforresponsiblesolutions.org/2016/05/17/ilhb1016/