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ICHV Legislative Update April 30, 2008 In our last legislative update, we talked about what happened with a few bills we lost. We urged you to contact legislators who didnt support those bills, in order to voice your opinions about their votes. Now, we also want to make sure that we thank people who did support us. It is important to mention that in many cases, even when we fall short on House or Senate votes, we still receive considerable support from a wide range of legislators. For example, consider HB0758, which mandates universal background checks for people who want to purchase handguns. We needed to get 60 votes on this measure. In the end, 58 legislators voted "Yea" and 58 legislators voted "Nay." We urge you to contact the many legislators who supported this measure. All you have to do is click on the link below and youll find a list that indicates how specific legislators voted. This list is actually the roll call in the General Assembly for this piece of legislation, which was taken earlier this month: CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ROLL CALL This vote, of course, not only shows just how many legislators supported us but also how critical one or two votes can be. Other Measures May Be Considered SB 1007 -- a measure that would prohibit the sale of high capacity ammunition magazines. This bill has already passed through the Senate and a House Committee. It is currently in a position to be voted on by the entire House. HB4553 -- This measure, the Community Youth Employment Act, provides that the states Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will create a competitive grants program for 2,500 Illinois youth. Through the program, youth will receive stipends and supervision over a six-week summer work period. Community-based organizations would administer the program, which would reach youth in low-income communities. The bill sets forth criteria for receiving grants under the Act. This program has merit, according to ICHV, because it can help reduce gun violence by providing positive opportunities for youth opportunities that might not otherwise exist. Youth who dont have opportunities, especially in the summer, are more likely to engage in dangerous behaviors that might include getting involved with guns. HB 4553 has passed the House of Representatives and is currently in the Senate Rules Committee. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us via email at info@ichv.org. Thank you for your support and dedication to reducing gun violence. April 22, 2008 Republican House Members Stay Silent When It Comes to Preventing Gun Violence Take a close look at the Illinois legislature these days, and youll find the reason why several promising gun control bills have been defeated in the House this month. In the last couple of weeks, House Republicans from the suburban Chicago area prevented three key bills from moving forward in Springfield. In particular, 16 House Republicans from the suburbs voted against legislation that would have mandated criminal background checks on handgun sales and prohibited the sale of no more than one handgun a month. In addition, they also voted against another important measure. Currently, Illinois law states that parents are required to safely store firearms so that they are not accessible to children and teens under the age of 14. Another bill would raise that standard to the age of 18. We need to be absolutely clear about what happened here. This is not a planned uprising among Republicans in favor of specific pieces of gun legislation. It is, rather, a damaging blow against what voters want a blow largely caused by phone calls and emails delivered repeatedly by the NRA. During this legislative session, House Republicans from suburban Chicago have made decisions on the gun issue based on calls from a vocal and intimidating minority. If you are from Lake, McHenry, Cook, DuPage, Kane and Will Counties, its likely that a legislator who caved to pressure tactics on bills aiming to reduce gun violence represents your county. In a month when the deadly impact of guns is a major story in the news, this story is especially ironic. In Chicago alone during the weekend of April 18-20, 32 people were shot and 6 were killed. We should add, however, that this news is not especially surprising -- one could come up with a list of deadly, and often preventable, gun-related tragedies in Illinois every month of the year. We strongly believe that bills cited above are a positive example of measures that can make a difference in the lives of families and communities. Now, lets take a closer look. Keep in mind the following: We can place the loss of key pieces of legislation that aim to reduce gun violence squarely at the feet of these legislators: Intelligence from several sources indicated that at least ten Republicans would support the bill on universal background checks. Also, we believe it is important to note that Senate Republicans have been more supportive than their House counterparts various measures designed to reduce violence in the course of this General Assembly. Whats Next A couple of things are next. First, it will be critical for us to get out the word to these legislators and the public that we disagree strongly with these votes. One of the most powerful ways to do that, of course, is by making sure that people who are voting this November know all about how their local legislator failed to support legislation designed to make our communities safer. We can, for example, contact the media. We can encourage local media to ask legislators serious questions; perhaps they can ask them how many of the people sending emails and making phone calls to them on gun legislation are actually from their district. We also urge constituents of suburban Chicago legislators to contact them in the next week -- and ask them why they dont support consistent criminal background checks and other key measures. What their recent vote on universal background checks does is make it easier for prohibited people to find ways to buy guns. We need to call our legislators not just once, but many times. How we communicate what is at stake here in the coming months - and years - is critical. We can play a major role in raising public awareness about the impact of gun violence. Lets face reality: The people who oppose bills that could reduce gun violence may feel, however wrongly, that they have something to lose because they are gun owners. They are highly motivated. Meanwhile, there are many other issues that may be more immediate to most citizens like education, health care or the price of gas. What we know, however, is the evidence that is right in front of us: 30,000 Americans die from gun wounds every year. We have no doubt that that number can be reduced in a major way and that, together, we can raise awareness in a way that makes a difference. Good News During this legislative session, one bill we supported received unanimous support in the House: HB4628. The bill focuses on what should happen when a child kills someone with a gun that was owned by an adult. If the bill becomes law, adults who are responsible for selling or giving a concealable firearm to a person under 18 years of age could face murder charges (adults in this case can include gun dealers). Currently, adults can face up to three years in prison. Its important to note here that HB4628 is a bill that received support from both sides, which shows that sometimes wide-ranging agreement can happen on gun-related bill. At a time when more and more teens are being killed by guns, this measure tries to focus on adults who may be providing those guns. HB4628 is now in the Illinois Senate. We urge people to contact state senators and support this measure. The senate sponsors are Kwame Raoul (D-13th District) and Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-16th District). Thank you for your support and dedication to reducing gun violence. March 20, 2008 The Illinois Legislature is out of session for two weeks, and will be back on Tuesday, April 1, 2008. During this break, many legislators will be in their district offices. Now is a critical time to contact them about gun control measures. On Tuesday, March 11, the gun lobby held a gLobby Day,h going to the capital with hundreds of people (many fewer, however, than it claimed). The Illinois State Rifle Association, National Rifle Association and gun manufacturers in Illinois descended upon Springfield to express their opposition to sensible gun control measures. Now is a good time for us to counteract their efforts by making calls to our districts, sending letters and emails, or stopping by your legislatorfs office. Bill Requires Handgun Safety Devices One key piece of news to report this week focuses on HB5227. The bill would prohibit the sale or transfer of a handgun without a handgun safety device. HB5227 would apply to the sale of handguns by private persons as well as federally licensed firearms dealers. The bill got out of committee during the week of Monday, March 10. Currently, when a handgun is sold by a federally licensed firearms dealer in Illinois, the handgun has to include an external safety lock or the gun has to have an internal safety lock (like an internal switch). The law mandating that handguns sold by federally licensed dealers contain handgun safety devices was passed in 2005. The current law would simply require the same for privately sold handguns. It is likely that more than one-third of all handgun sales are private. For purchasers and sellers, one advantage of dealing with a private sale is that there is no background check involved. In Illinois, a FOID Card (Firearm Owners Identification Card) must be provided in every sale. Private sellers of firearms, however, just have to keep a record of transactions | not report them. What this means is that we have very little information about gun sales involving unlicensed sellers. HB5227 ideally would ensure that gun owners have a safety device in their gun so that a gun wouldnft be used by others. For example, without these devices, we believe it would be more likely for accidental shootings or suicides to happen. Other key bills Other important bills being considered include: HB0758 -- This bill would require universal background checks on handguns. HB0758 is on the House floor and is ready for a vote. HB4357 -- This assault weapons bill has been voted out of committee and can be moved for a vote at any time. This bill prohibits assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. SB1007 -- This bill would ban the sale and possession of large capacity ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. In many of the recent highly-publicized shootings around the country, the guns used were equipped with large capacity magazines, giving shooters the ability to fire dozens of bullets in a matter of seconds. This measure is also in a position to be voted on in the House at any time. There's Still Time to Oppose "Conceal Carry" and Pre-emption Legislation Two bills would allow people to carry concealed firearms in public places: HB1304 and HB4544. One bill, HB5506, would prohibit counties in Illinois from regulating firearms in a way that would make county law stricter than state law. This bill is most likely a response to measures introduced in Cook County. We urge you to tell your legislator that you oppose these conceal carry and pre-emption legislation bills. For more information, you can also go to the website of the Illinois General Assembly, www.ilga.gov We will keep you updated as developments occur on these issues. If you have any questions or would like more information, please give us a call at 312-341-0939 or 217-744-7383. Thank you for your support and dedication to reducing gun violence. March 7, 2008 ICHV Legislative Udpate for March 2008 More and more activity on gun-related legislation will take place in the coming months as the Illinois Legislature moves forward with its current session. We will see activity on a number of key bills, and would like to share information about them in this ICHV Legislative Update. Meanwhile, when a bill warrants quick action, we will keep you informed about what is needed. Bills We Support Last week, committee hearings were held on two key bills that we support: HB4357 -- This bill prohibits assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. HB4357 was passed out of House Executive Committee during the week of Monday, February 25. HB4628 -- This bill would increase penalties for people over 18 who are convicted of selling or giving concealable firearms to anyone under 18 years of age. HB4628 has also been passed out of House Executive Committee. Other Bills We Support HB4393 -- This bill says that no more than one handgun can be sold to a person in a 30-day period. HB4393 also passed out of committee during the week of February 25. HB0731 | Currently, Illinois law states that parents are required to safely store firearms so that they are not accessible to children and teens under the age of 14. This bill would raise that standard to the age of 18. This law says that if a minor gets access to a gun, causes death or bodily harm, the penalty for the parent goes from Class C to Class A misdemeanor. This measure is currently on the House floor -- and can be heard at any time. HB0758 -- Requires universal background checks on all handgun sales. This measure has also been moved to the House floor for a vote. HB0796 -- This bill provides for state licensing for any dealer selling handguns. It has been assigned to committee. Bills we oppose HB1304 and HB4544 (these bills are essentially the same) -- Both bills allow people to carry concealed firearms in public places. In the wake of the tragedy at Northern Illinois University, there have been individuals calling for the possibility of allowing students and teachers to carry concealed weapons on campus. We know that there is not a great deal of support for these measures, but we do feel it's extremely important to tell legislators how we feel about this idea. We urge you to oppose conceal carry. Please tell your legislators that you oppose any conceal carry legislation. Please note that Illinois is one of two states that has no form of "concealed carry" for loaded firearms. HB5506 -- This would prohibit counties in Illinois from regulating firearms in a way that would make county law stricter than state law. This bill is most likely a response to measures introduced in Cook County. This measure has been passed out of committee in the House. We will keep you updated as developments occur on these issues. If you have any questions or would like more information, please give us a call at 312-341-0939 or 217-744-7383. Thank you for your support and dedication to reducing gun violence. January 17, 2008 ICHV Joins Amicus Brief Filing in Support of DC Handgun Ban In January 2008, the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence (ICHV) joined with dozens of local, state, and national groups to file an amicus brief in the case of Heller v. District of Columbia, regarding the decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit last year to strike down the local ordinance in Washington, DC which prohibited the possession of handguns. The Supreme Court agreed to hear the Heller case after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit declared the city's handgun ban unconstitutional in a split ruling in March 2007. This marked the first time in history that a gun control law has been struck down on Second Amendment grounds. The Circuit Court's ruling could affect not just D.C.'s gun laws, but gun laws across the country. The amicus brief effort is being spearheaded by the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence and The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence. Along with all the supporters of the amicus brief, ICHV and the Educational Fund believe that D.C.'s gun laws are constitutional and assert that the Second Amendment preserves the ability of states to protect the lives, liberty, and property of their citizens through firearms regulation. We will keep you informed as developments occur on this brief. To view a copy of the amicus brief, please click here. To visit the website of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, please click here. January 3, 2008 Looking Ahead in 2008 State Level As we begin a new year, it is important to understand that "yes" votes in 2007 are not necessarily "yes" votes in 2008, and "no" votes are not necessarily "no" votes in 2008. Let's keep in mind that we are in many ways starting from scratch, and we must make our voices heard on key gun issues. We also need to acknowledge the dynamics that often come with an election year. The Illinois primary will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2008. That is the day on which the largest number of state primary contests will be held next year. How will this date impact the gun issue in Illinois? It is very likely that most gun votes will happen after the primary because the Illinois state legislature will only be in regular sessions a couple of times before the primary. The early primary date could be helpful for gun violence prevention issues because some legislators may want to vote on these issues in a way that helps prevent them from being criticized during the general election. After the primary, candidates will be faced with a general election on November 4, when supporting our position on a gun issue could help them. History also tells us that there is more going on in the state legislature in odd-numbered years. Another factor that could come into play is that several members in both chambers are retiring, and they have generally voted with the NRA. In some cases, when members retire, they may be more flexible about how they vote, as they no longer have political reasons to vote with the NRA. At the moment, there are two bills we will be focusing on. If other opportunities arise, we will consider them as well. These two bills are: SB1007: This bill would ban the delivery, sale, purchase, or possession of ammunition clips that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition (i.e., high-capacity magazines). Here is an example of a bill that has gradually made it through the process. SB1007 has already made it out of the Senate and a House Committee. It is only one step away from going to the governor. HB0758: This bill focuses on universal background checks on all handguns sold in Illinois. HB0758 was voted on this year and came up a little bit short, but people continue to talk about it and work for its passage. The bill got 58 votes in the House and was just two votes short. We feel that therefs a definite possibility it could get two more votes. Let's keep in mind as well that it is possible for other key pieces of legislation to emerge in 2008. In particular, we should not discount the possibility that a vote on assault weapons legislation could be held during the year. Weigh in with your opinion! Federal Level Fortunately, the better of the two versions is what passed -- House language was used in the final version of the bill. One key element of this bill is that it removed restrictions to accessing federal gun trace data outside of one's geographic jurisdiction. It is also worth noting another reason why it is a good thing the Senate version did not pass -- that version would have criminalized law enforcement officials who shared gun trace data in violation of the Tiahrt Amendment. The NICS Improvement Bill (H.R.2460) The NICS Improvement Bill has passed through the Senate and the House (the House voted on the bill during the week of December 17th). Opinions about how effective this bill will be are mixed, but there are a couple of important benefits we should mention. For example, this bill will provide a financial incentive for states to enter records of prohibited purchasers of firearms into the system. This is especially important because we know -- after the tragedy at Virginia Tech and many other tragedies -- that many of these records are not currently in the NICS system. Because of this bill, we are likely to see a big improvement in the number of records the system maintains of people with mental health issues, and we might see some improvement in other areas as well. The bill will also provide the possibility for veterans who were disqualified from getting firearms for mental health reasons to petition state and federal authorities to get their gun rights back. The bill is likely to affect 90,000 veterans. At this time, we need to remember that these federal bills deserve our attention, but our best opportunity to make an impact is on the state level, not the federal level. Finally, just a word about how gun issues are often covered in the news -- and what impact that has on the process. When we research what happens in the aftermath of gun-related tragedies, we can say that, yes, public and media response to these tragedies have had an impact. What has the most significant impact, though, is who is weighing in on gun issues. As we look to 2008, let's remember that our voices make a difference. We will keep you updated as developments occur on these and other gun violence prevention issues. If you have any questions or would like more information, please give us a call at 312-341-0939 or 217-744-7383. Thank you for your support and dedication to reducing gun violence. October 4, 2007 Update on Federal Legislation It's time to revisit and address two key federal bills related to gun control that are receiving considerable attention in Washington, D.C. The first involves the Tiahrt Amendment, legislation that includes language severely restricting the release of information about guns traced to crime scenes. This information is contained in a firearms trace database by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The second involves a bill to improve the reporting of prohibited purchasers of guns. Both of these bills are very much up in the air at the moment. What has happened is that both chambers have developed different language for these bills. We don't know when, or how, they will be resolved. Tiahrt Amendment The bad news is that the Tiahrt Amendment will not be repealed this year. Nevertheless, there is certainly positive news in the continuing story of this bill. In Illinois, Republican Rep. Mark Kirk was a leader in the movement to repeal this bill, and one of the few Republicans in Congress to oppose it. In addition, key organizations in Illinois wanted to repeal the bill, including the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police. In Washington, the National Rifle Association supported the Tiahrt Amendment. The organization claimed that if information related to trace data became available to government agencies or the public, certain law enforcement investigations could be compromised. Let's keep in mind - now, and for the future - that there is no evidence to show that any type of investigation conducted by law enforcement agencies that is related to the release of trace data has been compromised. Ultimately, Tiahrt was not repealed by either chamber. However, the Senate passed a version that was worse than what we already have. Why? Because it would have authorized the criminalization of law enforcement officials who shared information related to trace data. To that, we ask: Do we really want our law enforcement officials to receive criminal penalties for sharing information related to trace data? Of course not. We want just the opposite - to give law enforcement agencies the tools they need to help make our communities safer. Meanwhile, the House version of this bill did feature one improvement by authorizing the sharing of trace data without geographic restrictions. The Tiahrt Amendment is part of a Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations bill, which means this issue will have to be resolved this year. Mental Health Records Another key piece of federal legislation centers on a bill proposed by Reps. John Dingell (D-Michigan) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY). The bottom line for this bill is that it focuses on how to ensure that records - including, but not excluded to mental health records -- of prohibited purchasers go into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System in a timely way. The bill would provide resources for states to accomplish this goal - although we don't know at this point how much might be allocated to states. This bill emerged in response to the tragedy at Virginia Tech last April. Also contained in the bill is a provision that would allow for individuals, including thousands of veterans, to petition states to regain their rights to own a firearm. The NRA has pushed for this aspect of the bill, which passed in the U.S. House in June. As is the case with the Tiahrt Amendment, there are different versions of this bill that have passed in the Senate and the House. As a result, both chambers will have to agree on language before a version of the bill goes to the president. The Senate, for example, added language to its version - but much of it had to do with general school safety issues, not firearms. The significance of this bill is that it has been portrayed as the first significant piece of federal gun control legislation since legislation banning assault weapons in 1994. Note: This bill is not an appropriations bill - it is what is called a "substantive" bill. That means Congress is not obligated to deal with it this year. Illinois If this bill sounds familiar to people in Illinois who have been following gun control issues, that's not a coincidence. This summer, Illinois became the first state to enact any type of legislation of this nature when the General Assembly passed and Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed SB 0940, which would help ensure that when someone is prohibited from having a firearm due to mental health issues, that information would be reported to the state police in a more expedient way. Court Case Court to hear an appeal on a case that was voted on in federal district court earlier this year. That ruling concluded that the gun ban in Washington, D.C. is null and void. This case is significant because if the Supreme Court upholds the lower court's ruling, Chicago and other cities could face pressure to change laws that bar ownership of handguns and assault weapons. We will keep you updated as developments occur on these and other gun violence prevention issues. If you have any questions or would like more information, please give us a call at 312-341-0939 or 217-744-7383. August 31, 2007 Governor Blagojevich Signs SB 940 into Law Earlier today, Governor Blagojevich signed SB 940 into law. This new law will help ensure that information regarding individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms due to mental health issues would be reported to the state police in a more expedient way. The bill will also require Illinois mental health authorities to share information with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) about persons who have been barred from buying or owning guns because of mental health issues. Fewer than half of all states -- only 22 -- currently share such information with the federal NICS system. Please take a moment to call the Governor's office today and ask THANK HIM for signing this bill into law and standing up for gun violence prevention. The number to call is: 217-782-0244. August 31, 2007 Gun Lobby Loses Key Court Case in Cook County ICHV is pleased to report that the Circuit Court of Cook County recently rejected a legal challenge to the ban on assault weapons in Cook County. The lawsuit, brought by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) against the Cook County Board of Commissioners, alleged that the ban on assault weapons "exceeded [the Board's] home rule authority" to enact local ordinances that are stricter than state law. The Cook County Board passed the ordinance to strengthen the existing ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines late last year. The ISRA recently challenged the ordinance, but the Circuit Court essentially upheld the ordinance by dismissing the case. This is good news for gun violence prevention advocates. For the past several years, the gun lobby has been working hard to chip away at state and local law around the nation that place any type of restrictions on the manufacture, sale, possession and use of firearms, including assault weapons and handguns. They have been using their lobbying dollars and political influence to work state legislatures across the country to repeal home rule laws that allow local governments (cities and counties) to pass ordinances that place additional restrictions on firearms. This recent ruling by the Circuit Court of Cook County shows that the gun lobby's strategy is faulty and that there can be reasonable regulations placed on the right to bear arms. This is a big victory, and we can celebrate that the communities of Cook County will not be havens for assault weapons manufacturers and dealers. This ruling also sends a message that challenges to home rule ordinances can withstand a legal challenge by the gun lobby. August 2007 Update on Federal Legislation: The Tiahrt Amendment For the past four years in Congress, legislation making appropriations to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has contained language severely restricting the release of information about guns traced to crime scenes contained in the agency's Firearms Tracing Systems database. This restriction is known as the "Tiahrt Amendment" (named after Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kansas). The problem with this restriction on crime-gun information is basic: Law enforcement officials, among others, absolutely need this kind of data to do their jobs. The House version of this bill is bad, but the Senate version (from the Senate Appropriations Committee) is even worse when it comes to protecting law enforcement access to crime-gun tracing information. Despite strong efforts by law enforcement and gun violence prevention groups, an effort to repeal the Tiahrt Amendment was denied this month by the U.S. House of Representatives. However, the two chambers will come together and agree on a version later this year, though that will not happen until the fall. There is positive news here, however. In terms of reaching Illinois members, our efforts have been successful. Two members of the Illinois delegation who serve on the committee voted for the repeal - Rep. Mark Kirk (R-10th District) and Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-2nd District). In fact, Rep. Kirk was one of only two Republicans who voted against his party on this amendment. People in Illinois should thank these legislators for their support of the repeal. In the Senate, Sen. Dick Durbin also voted to repeal Tiahrt. The majority of the Illinois House delegation, in fact, as well as both Illinois senators, are on our side. Your calls and efforts in trying to influence members of the Illinois delegation have made a difference. What This Means for Gun Violence Prevention Overall, the news about the Tiahrt Amendment tells us that, while we have seen a change in power from Republican to Democratic in Congress, the NRA continues to have significant control over both the Congressional agenda and votes. One reason for this is that only about half of all states have state groups working on gun violence issues, and many of these groups are small and have limited resources and staff to work on the multiple issues that they are facing at any one time. In other words, in half of the country the NRA doesn't get any opposition at all; there is no comprehensive grassroots network to challenge or counter what they say and do in many states, and that is one reason why it is difficult to have an impact at the federal level. The situation with the Tiahrt Amendment also tells us that there are many members of Congress in both chambers who don't seem to care about the fact that law enforcement agencies around the country, who are on the front lines in fighting gun violence, strongly oppose the Tiahrt amendment and have been working to repeal it. Even though the Tiahrt amendment was defeated by this House committee, our efforts have led to a collection of allies working together to oppose the Tiahrt amendment on a national level. A number of key legislators, many law enforcement agencies, and more than 200 mayors around the country, led by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, have joined forces to oppose this amendment. We know from our experience in Illinois that mobilizing on such issues makes a difference. Illinois is one of the only states where the NRA is continuously on the defensive as we push a progressive agenda on gun violence. As we have seen in the Illinois legislature, both this year and in previous years, we are always within a handful of votes from passing key bills.
Other News: Developments at the State Level Meanwhile in Illinois, an important gun violence bill has gone to the governor and awaits his signature. SB 0940 would help ensure that when someone is prohibited from having a firearm due to mental health issues, that information would be reported to the state police in a more expedient way. The bill would also require Illinois mental health authorities to share information with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System about individuals who have been barred from buying or owning guns because of mental health issues. Fewer than half of all states - only 22 - currently share such information with the federal NICS system. We urge people to call the governor and voice support for this bill. Just call 217-782-0244. We will keep you updated as developments occur on these and other gun violence prevention issues. If you have any questions or would like more information, please give us a call at 312-341-0939 or 217-744-7383. May 14, 2007 Action resumes in Springfield As you likely have already heard, a tragic shooting took place late last week where a young and promising high school student was shot and killed on a CTA bus. This young student was a relative of ICHV Honorary Board member Michael Robbins, a former Chicago police officer and a victim of gun violence himself. This tragedy shows us not only how important it is for ICHV to continue our important work, but also the value of implementing legislation to make firearms less lethal and accessible to society. In Springfield, some of our legislators have been supporting several bills that would help decrease injury and death caused by firearms in a variety of ways and to help protect our most innocent members of society. Some of the most relevant proposals and updates on activity are included below. Good news in Senate Last week, a key bill passed out of the Senate, SB1007, which would prohibit the sale and possession of large capacity ammunition magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. The bill now moves to the House, and could be heard in committee this week or next week. One reason this news is especially important is that there was bipartisan support for this bill in the Senate. Another reason why the passage of SB1007, in the Senate is encouraging is simple: this bill would make firearms less deadly by limiting the number of bullets in each magazine to 10 or fewer, thereby reducing the likelihood of exacerbated injury and death. This bill is especially timely because some of the deadliest shootings in this country, including the tragedy at Virginia Tech, have been committed with weapons that were equipped with high capacity magazines. We should also emphasize a key point about firearms in relation to this bill. There is a misconception among some people that handguns would not be affected by this bill. That is completely false. As we have seen in numerous recent tragedies, handguns can often hold magazines with more than 10 rounds of ammunition, and such firearms would be subjected to the requirements of this bill when it passes. Simply put, regardless of what kind of weapon is used-whether military-style assault weapons or handguns-more people are killed or wounded because these large capacity magazines are available. One final note about SB1007, and similar attempts to reduce access to high capacity ammunition magazines: in the past, some members of the gun industry have claimed that this kind of bill would hurt their business or even force them to leave the state. Let's face it. Regardless of any law such as this passing in any state, the gun industry has continued to survive, if not thrive. We can safely describe concerns that this bill will hurt the gun industry as nonsense. Update on House Activity In the House last week, we thought there might be action on two key bills, but neither was called for a vote because the House spent all of Wednesday and most of Thursday hearing testimony on the gross receipts tax issue. The two bills we are referring to are: HB0758, which would require criminal background checks on all handgun sales and HB1696, which would require reporting of lost and stolen guns. We believe that one or both of these bills will be voted on in the near future and could possibly be voted on this week. Please contact your legislator to voice your support for these bills. For information about how to reach your legislator, go to www.ilga.org and click on "House" and "Members." Let's keep in mind that this is a two-year General Assembly. While we do not know with certainty when these bills would be voted on, the first important step in the process is for them to be voted out of the House. Gun lobby bill still short of votes HB1304, a bill that would allow the carrying of concealed, loaded handguns in public places, is still short of the number of votes it needs to pass out of the House. The deadline for voting on this bill continues to be extended. We strongly encourage you to weigh in on this legislation. Call your legislator and remind him or her that you oppose allowing individuals to carry loaded, hidden handguns in public. We will keep you updated as developments occur on these issues. If you have any questions or would like more information, please call our office at 312-341-0939 or 217-744-7383. April 9, 2007 Recess for Legislators The General Assembly went on recess on March 30th. The Senate will return on April 18th; the House will return on April 17. Once the General Assembly returns, the attention for the immediate future will turn to the House until about April 27th - the date of the third reading deadline in the House. Deadline Extended for Key Bills in Senate Prior
to the recess, a lot of work was done by ICHV in support of the assault weapons
bill (SB016) and .50 caliber sniper rifle bill (SB1471) in the Senate. Due
to various reasons, a few key supporters were not able to make it to Springfield
for a vote, including Senate President Emil Jones and other legislators who
were absent. House of Representatives In the House, there are a number of
bills to watch. We have talked about these bills in previous Legislative Updates.
Here's a quick recap:
All of these measures are alive in the House of Representatives and will likely be heard between April 17 and April 27. Many Bills Dealing with Gun Violence Issues Without a doubt, many people are familiar with efforts to pass bills that prohibit military-style assault weapons in Illinois. It is important to emphasize that other bills - including the other five House bills listed above - are just as important when it comes to attacking the problem of gun violence.Legislation to prohibit assault weapons can be challenging to pass for a few reasons. Proposals to ban certain classes of weapons target the heart of the gun industry. When that happens, the gun lobby often responds by saying that one proposed ban will only lead to another, and that any type of weapons ban criminalizes legal firearm ownership. That claim is not true, but they use it to build their case. Research Shows Public Support for Changes in Gun Laws Important measures supported by ICHV are supported by the public, according to a statewide survey conducted by the Legal Community Against Violence (and cited by the Illinois Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence) in February of this year. People polled for the research were registered voters in Illinois.
Key findings showed that:
Meanwhile, 69% of those polled said they would strongly favor banning the sale and possession of semi-automatic assault weapons as well as the sale and possession of powerful, military-grade 50-caliber sniper rifles. Clearly, there is major support for strong measures that would help us prevent gun violence. We will keep you updated as developments occur on these issues. If you have any questions or would like more information, please give us a call at 312-341-0939. Bills supported by ICHV One new bill that has come up for support in the House is HB1696. The bill says that if a person fails to report the loss or theft of a firearm, he could lose his FOID (Firearm Owners ID) Card and be charged with a petty offense. When information about the loss or theft of a firearm is properly reported to a law enforcement agency, that can greatly aid an investigation. This bill passed out of committee on Wednesday, March 7 and is now on the House floor. Two other House measures that we support also moved out of committee this week: HB3633 - This bill would require that a FOID Card be revoked when individuals are served an order of protection. HB0796 - Handgun Dealer Licensing Act. Handgun dealers would be licensed by the Department of State Police. A Senate version of the bill, SB1399, is still in committee. Now that these bills are on the House floor, you can make your feelings know to your representative about why they should support these bills. If you don't know who your legislator is, go to http://www.ilga.gov/ (the home page for the Illinois General Assembly), and then go to "Legislative Lookup," on the bottom right corner of the page. Meanwhile, all other bills supported by ICHV have been assigned to committees in the state legislature, and we expect them to be heard in the next couple of weeks. We are cautiously optimistic that we will see these bills move out of committee. They include: HB0731 - Storage of Firearms. Bill would raise age at which minors can have access to stored firearms from 14 to 18. HB0758 - Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Requires universal background checks on all handgun sales. HB0873 - Assault Weapons. Bill details broad measures prohibiting possession, sale, manufacture, delivery or purchase of assault weapons. A Senate bill on this issue (SB016) is also being considered (See "Senate bills," below, for more). HB1078 - Bill would prohibit multiple sales of handguns within a 30-day period. In the Senate, SB102, a version of the same bill, is also being considered. Both the House and Senate bills are currently in committee. Senate Bills: Assault Weapons Ban Bill Moves to Senate Floor We had some very good news come out of a Senate committee this week. SB016-- the Senate version of the assault weapons ban, was passed out of committee and now moves to the Senate floor. Other news in the Senate: SB1471 - Prohibits sale, manufacture, purchase, possession, or carrying of 50 caliber sniper rifles. This bill is still in committee. Pro-Gun lobby bills Conceal and Carry Illinois is one of only two states in the country that does not allow the carrying of concealed weapons. We want to get the word out about these bills to raise awareness of the kind of legislation the gun lobby is eager to pass. HB1304 - This bill establishes statewide, uniform standards for the issuance of permits to carry concealed firearms in this State. In essence, more citizens would be able to carry concealed guns. HB1320 - This "conceal carry" bill would authorize the county sheriff to issue concealed firearms permits to Judges, State's Attorneys, Assistant State's Attorneys, Public Defenders, and Assistant Public Defenders. Why oppose these conceal and carry bills? The problem we have with these bills is very basic: the more concealed guns there are in society, the greater the chance will be that they lead to gun death or injury. We should add that at certain points, the gun lobby may try to create the impression that there has been a groundswell among judges and state's attorneys and other citizens to carry concealed weapons. In reality, there is a very small number of people who support this legislation. Preemption HB0704 - This bill would invalidate local ordinances and resolutions that regulate firearms legal for hunting under the Wildlife Code. This bill is on third reading in the Illinois House. An identical Senate bill, SB0458, has also been introduced. HB1757 - Transportation of weapons. This bill would invalidate any local ordinance that regulates the transportation of weapons. A Senate version of the bill, SB0721, has also been introduced. Note: Preemption bills need a three-fifths majority to pass. Why oppose? Changes to Firearm Owners Identification Card Act HB1606 - This bill would amend the law to say that a person 18 years of age or older may apply for a Firearm Owner's Identification Card without the consent of a parent of legal guardian (currently, persons between 18 and 21 must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian to obtain a card). Why oppose? What's next? The month of March should be a very active one on gun issues in Illinois. We will be in touch again soon. For more information, give us a call at 312-341-0939. To see a synopsis of any bill, go to ilga.org and click on "Bills & Resolutions" (under Legislation & Laws, at the top of the page). Plus: For more information on how to contact members of the General Assembly, you can also go to http://www.ilga.gov/ and click on "House" or "Senate" members. We will keep you updated as developments occur on these issues. If you have any questions or would like more information, please give us a call at 312-341-0939. Can you make a difference? The short answer to that question is a resounding "Yes." We say that not only because we need your support - but because of what is happening with key bills in Springfield. In most cases, key pieces of gun legislation are only a handful of votes short of passing in the Illinois House and Senate at this time. Our challenge is to find these votes. Many "swing" votes in the House and Senate will be legislators who serve Cook County and various collar counties. More Bills that can have an impact Here is a short list of some additional bills being considered that can 1) make it harder for people to get access to handguns and 2) make it easier to put bad apple gun dealers out of business. House bills to keep in mind: HB0731 - Storage of Firearms. Bill would raise age of minors who have access to stored firearms from 14 to 18. HB0758 - Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Requires universal background checks on all handgun sales. HB0796 - Handgun Dealer Licensing Act. Handgun dealers would be licensed by the Department of State Police. HB0873 - Assault Weapons. Bill details broad measures prohibiting possession, sale, manufacture, delivery or purchase of assault weapons. HB1078 - Bill would prohibit multiple sales of handguns within a 30-day period. Senate bills: SB1471 - Prohibits sale, manufacture, purchase, possession, or carrying of 50 caliber sniper rifles.
Bills promoted by the NRA/gun lobby: HB0228 - Shortens period of time gun owner must keep record of gun transfer. This bill reflects a pattern of the gun lobby to support legislation that would destroy gun records. HB0704 - Firearms preemption. This is the gun lobby's way of preempting an assault weapons ban. HB1304 - Carrying concealed firearms. This bill would allow the carrying of concealed, loaded handguns in public places.
Who should you contact? To find out how to contact members of the General Assembly, go to House or Senate at http://www.ilga.gov/ and click on "Members." Calls, faxes and letters to our legislators make a difference. When you contact them, you can also ask for their email address.
What happens in Illinois is key! Why pay attention to what is happening in Springfield these days on handgun issues? There are many reasons - but one reason is certainly that states, including Illinois, are in a better position that our federal government to address handgun violence. Based on how Congress has debated - or failed to debate - issues related to handgun violence in recent years, we are confident that states like Illinois are more likely to make a difference. If we want to make positive changes to gun laws, we need to make those changes on a statewide level.
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