Cassidy Introduces Legislation to Hold Gun Owners Accountable

CHICAGO – As gun violence in the city continues to rise at a devastating pace, state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, recently introduced legislation that would strengthen the repercussions against gun owners who are irresponsible with their weapons.

“Many of the people in Chicago engaging in gun violence are individuals who do not have legal authority to buy guns in the first place – but those weapons have to be coming from somewhere,” Cassidy said. “If FOID card holders are consistently losing their guns or having them stolen, it’s only a matter of time before their weapons ends up in the hands of someone who shouldn’t have them.”

Cassidy introduced House Bill 3390, which would allow the Illinois State Police to revoke an individual’s Firearm Owner Identification Card (FOID) if they report firearms lost or stolen three times within two years. The legislation would also strengthen the penalties against FOID card holders who fail to report missing firearms to local authorities. Additionally, the attempt to purchase a gun with a revoked FOID card would become a Class Four felony.

“Everyone needs to take responsibility for making our city a safer place to live – and that includes legal gun owners,” Cassidy said. “It’s my hope that this legislation will encourage people who own firearms to be vigilant with their weapons. Individuals who put families at risk by being irresponsible with their guns do not deserve to keep them.”