“We must stand up and help our kids and our communities find
safety from violence,” said Governor Rauner. “Children are often in
the crossfire. They’re vulnerable and impressionable. They deserve
to see better things in the world. They deserve to feel safe in
their own homes. They should not fear that guns will take the life
of their friends, their family members, or even themselves. They
should not live in fear or have their innocence shattered.”
The Governor signed the bill at the Illinois State Police (ISP)
crime lab in Chicago and was joined by House Republican Leader Jim
Durkin (R-Western Springs) and Senate Republican Leader Christine
Radogno (R-Lemont), the chief legislative sponsors of the bill.
“425 people have been murdered by firearms in Chicago this year and
another 2320 have been shot and wounded. Each weekend in Chicago is
bloodier than the last,” House Republican Leader Durkin said. “Many
of the shootings involved illegally acquired guns by Chicago street
gangs. It is estimated that approximately 60 percent of guns used to
commit violent crimes in Chicago were purchased outside of Illinois.
The laws are more focused on holding the shooter accountable, but
not the person who armed the shooter. That changes today with House
Bill 6303.
“This law targets straw purchasers – those who skirt Illinois
firearm laws by buying guns in other states with the intent to
resell in the illegal black markets of Illinois,” Leader Durkin
added. “The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office brought this
legislation to me and I am honored to have sponsored the bill in the
Illinois House of Representatives. I thank the Illinois General
Assembly for their bi-partisan unanimous support.”
“The statistics clearly demonstrate a continuing and increasing
trend that jeopardizes public safety in Illinois,” Senate Republican
Leader Radogno said. “People who cannot legally purchase guns in
Illinois are going to states with more lax background check
requirements and bringing them back into our state with criminal
intent. These weapons are quickly used in the commission of crimes
and add to the unconscionable gun violence here. This new law will
be another tool to stop the flow of these illegally transferred
weapons.”
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HB 6303 makes it a felony for a person who has not been issued a FOID card to
bring firearms into the state with the intention of selling or delivering them.
Furthermore, if the individual trafficking in gun sales has previously been
convicted of an unlawful use or delivery of a firearm, gunrunning or firearm
trafficking, they will face even stiffer penalties. It is important to note that
this bill does not take guns out of the hands of anyone that safely and legally
has or carries a firearm. It exempts FOID card holders specifically for that
reason.
This bill is designed to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and off our
streets.
"Gun violence takes innocent lives and disrupts peaceful communities. The
Firearms Trafficking Bill enhances penalties for those who choose to support gun
violence while protecting the rights of law abiding citizens," said ISP Director
Leo Schmitz. "The Illinois State Police is working closely with local, county
and federal law enforcement to keep Illinois communities safe. Together with the
help of good citizens, we can keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals.
If you See Something, Say Something.”
[Office of the Governor Bruce Rauner]
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