Manley Applauds Signing of Gun Dealer Licensing Bill

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – A measure backed by state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, aimed at curbing gun violence and saving lives be creating commonsense licensing standards for gun dealers was signed into law Thursday.

“We are all aware of the alarmingly commonplace, senseless tragedies caused by gun violence across our country,” Manley said. “We have to take every step possible to prevent similar tragedies from happening here at home.”

Manley supported the bipartisan Senate Bill 337, also known as the Combating Illegal Gun Trafficking Act, to require the Illinois State Police to certify firearm dealers as well as better track private gun sales. The new law requires criminal background checks for gun dealer employees, institutes an annual training on how employees should handle background checks, mandates video surveillance at gun shops and provides additional authority for law enforcement to inspect locations. The legislation was signed into law by Gov. Pritzker on Thursday.  

“This new licensing process will create greater accountability for dealers who have failed to make the effort to keep guns out of the hands of criminals,” Manley said. “Gun violence is a complex problem that has no single fix, but today’s signing was a positive step forward that will have a lasting impact and save lives.”