West Joins Effort to Close Loopholes in FOID System, Prevent Gun Tragedies

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In response to the tragic workplace shooting that took place earlier this year in Aurora, state Rep. Maurice West II, D-Rockford, is supporting a series of reforms aimed at closing loopholes in the Firearms Owners Identification (FOID) card system to make sure an individual like the Aurora shooter cannot maintain easy access to guns.

“We need to be proactive in keeping guns out of the hands of those who are a clear danger to others,” said West. “I’m backing a commonsense plan that gives law enforcement the tools they need to remove firearms when needed in order to prevent tragedies like Aurora from happening again.”

West is sponsoring Senate Bill 1966, known by advocates as the Fix the FOID Act, which would require mandatory finger printing for all FOID applications and renewals, require universal background checks for all firearm transfers, streamline and strengthen the revocation process to ensure law enforcement removes firearms from individuals who have lost their privileges, as well as require FOID renewal every five years. The FOID application free would also be raised, with dollars allocated toward mental health services and revocation services. The measure has received the backing of the Illinois State Police and gun safety advocates.

“As gun violence continues to plague our state and nation, we are proud advocates of the Fix the FOID Act that would prohibit people with violent criminal histories from buying guns,” said Kathleen Sances, president and CEO of the Illinois Gun Violence Prevention PAC (G-PAC). “We stand by West and more than 170 organizations who have joined a coalition to put a stop to preventable tragedies, like the recent shooting in Aurora, Illinois.”