With research showing 60 percent of guns used in Chicago street crimes have come from outside the state – a third of them from Indiana – Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin said tougher penalties ought to be a deterrent. About 20 percent came from IN, where no permit is required to buy firearms and private sellers don’t have to conduct background checks.
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But the idea has gone nowhere in the General Assembly, stalled in part by Illinois’ different geographic views on guns, and Rauner on Tuesday said the mayor hadn’t called him on it.
“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. “In the past nine years, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center has identified almost 30,000 trafficking victims”.
“We must stand up and help our kids and our communities find safety from violence”, said Governor Rauner in a press release announcing the signing of HB 6303. It is a solution that will fix little because it ignores the fact that it was already illegal for people without FOID cards to buy guns in other states and bring them into IL – particularly into Chicago – to sell. The state also requires that all gun holders obtain a FOID card to buy guns and ammunition.
Politically, the bill was a victor because it wasn’t opposed by the powerful gun-rights lobby.
“I think the federal government needs to do something; I hope they do something”, Durkin said.
One of Rauner’s top Republican legislative allies, Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, urged the TRS board to delay a vote Friday to give the public time to weigh in on its possible actions. Rauner, however, was cagey.
Rauner appoints the other members, though three of the seats he fills are vacant.
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“I don’t know what’s going to happen”. A recent poll by our bipartisan organization showed 94% of IL voters support this type of policy and stronger reentry practices, and we expect the state to continue down a path of reform.
