Illinois Congress members say residents favor gun control laws, own more guns

[March 27, 2021]    By Cole Lauterbach

(The Center Square) – Amid record firearm sales, two members of Illinois’ Democratic congressional delegation say their constituents favor tightening gun control measures.

Rep. Bill Foster, D-Ill., speaks as Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar testifies to the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. 

AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, Pool

U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, D-Illinois, and Bill Foster, D-Illinois, joined in a panel Friday to speak about their efforts in Washington.

Though both representatives’ districts extend from urban to rural communities, both made clear that their constituents now take a different tone about gun safety measures and their opinions on firearms in general.

“Hunting is becoming less a part of peoples’ self-image throughout the United States,” Foster said. “Even in rural areas, it’s much less common. It used to be, if you talked to a 70-year-old person even in the suburbs, they have fond memories of going hunting with their parents. That is not an experience of young kids today.”