Gun Dealer Licensing Act Advances, Aims to Curb Gun Violence in Illinois

OAK PARK, IL — The Gun Dealer Licensing Act was advanced out of the Illinois Senate by Senator Don Harmon, a Democrat from Oak Park more than a decade after the bill was first introduced. Senate Bill 1657, which was advanced in a narrow 30-21 vote, aims to crack down on corrupt gun dealers in continuing efforts to eliminate the gun violence that plagues Chicago and Illinois. More than 1,000 people have been killed victims of gun violence in Chicago in 2017.

“I appreciate the support of every senator who was able to put children and families ahead of the NRA,” Harmon said after the gun licensing bill passed out of the Senate. He acknowledged that backlash from the NRA has made gun regulation increasingly difficult to federally regulate dealers who sell large numbers of guns to criminals.“The NRA owns Washington,” Harmon said during the hearing, expressing frustration that it took since 2003 for this gun bill to pass.

SB 1657 seeks to allow the state of Illinois to license gun deals in addition to their required federal license. The provisions call for Illinois to organize a Gun Dealer Licensing Board of five people to be appointed by the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation. The Gun Dealer Licensing Board would be responsible for setting up “policies, procedures and rules relevant to the administration and enforcement of the Act.” The gun licensing bill also provides for strict penalties for dealers who violate the Act.

During the Senate debate, Harmon urged senators to vote in favor, saying, “Can you help us, in our neighborhoods, where 14-year-olds are shooting each other because guns are so easily available?” He added, emphatically “We’ve got to do something.” Harmon hopes that the Gun Licensing Dealer Licensing Act will be that “something” that will help put an end to gun violence in Illinois.

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