Using Firearms Restraining Order Act among solutions officials see to
combat gun violence
Send a link to a friend
[July 08, 2022]
By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – In the aftermath of
the Highland Park mass shooting that left seven dead and dozens injured
and the continued gun violence in other Illinois cities, some are
looking for concrete solutions.
After the shooting in Highland Park on Monday, where certain types of
weapons are already banned, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart
said more prohibitions should be implemented.
“As a public safety professional, as one of many individuals responsible
for the safety of the people in Lake County, we should have a statewide
and national ban on assault weapons,” Rinehart said
Republicans say such bans only impact the law-abiding gun owners.
State Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, said there should be more focus on
mental health and utilization of the Firearm Restraining Order Act.
While some in the Republican party opposed the Firearms Restraining
Order Act, Bailey said it should be tweaked if needed and utilized.
“Gun owners, let’s get real, the [Firearms Restraining Order Act] exists
and we need to stop pretending that it doesn’t,” Bailey said during a
news conference Thursday. “If we have to amend it to make sure that it
protects our constitutional rights, then let’s take a look at that. But
for Pete’s sake, let’s use it.”
Concerns over the act some refer to as “red-flag laws” are that it could
violate individuals’ Second Amendment rights and the right to due
process.
Bailey, who will take on incumbent Gov. J.B. Pritzker in November, said
there should be a special session ordered to find more solutions and
address “the breakdown in mental health.”
“Particularly among isolated young men, which was made immeasurably
worse during Pritzker’s lockdowns,” Bailey said, referring to the months
of COVID-19 orders closing businesses and schools to in-person service.
Pritkzer’s campaign said in a statement that Bailey voted against mental
health funding and strengthening gun violence prevention programs and
wants to get rid of the Firearm Owner’s Identification card.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2022/Jul/08/images/ads/current/charrons_bch_2022.png)
[to top of second column]
|
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2022/Jul/08/images/ads/current/graue_22SILVERADO_061822.png)
“Darren Bailey lacks the temperament and empathy necessary to lead our
state,'' said JB For Governor Press Secretary Eliza Glezer. “Darren
Bailey’s extremist agenda will not keep Illinoisans safe from America’s
gun violence epidemic.”
Bailey said the FOID card is just a money grab, isn’t working and needs
to go.
“We have the federal firearm background check, we have age limits, we
have waiting periods, we have the firearms restraining act which was
passed to take care of this very issue,” Bailey said.
The gunman in Monday’s Highland Park mass shooting passed multiple state
and federal background checks despite local police reporting him to
state police as a clear and present danger in 2019.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2022/Jul/08/images/ads/current/LPL_small%201.gif)
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said there were no
prohibitors found when Highland Park shooting suspect Robert Crimo III
applied for a FOID card in 2019 with his father as a sponsor.
Kelly said the Firearms Restraining Order Act can help inform law
enforcement of problemed individuals, but must be utilized when family
members have concerns.
“Friends, family, others that see things, that know things that are a
concern need to take the appropriate steps, because where we are frankly
depend upon that to be able to act,” Kelly said.
The act requires someone to go to a court and motion for an individual
to have their firearms seized if they show signs of being a threat to
themselves or others.
Illinois State Rifle Association Executive Director Richard Pearson
worries use of the law could lead to family members making false claims
about another person.
"Sometimes this is used in a vindictive way and not because someone is a
danger to themselves or their family," Pearson said. "When somebody just
wants to get even with somebody else, that becomes a problem."
Greg Bishop reports on Illinois government and other
issues for The Center Square. Bishop has years of award-winning
broadcast experience and hosts the WMAY Morning Newsfeed out of
Springfield. |