Slaughter Backs Measure to Close Dangerous Loopholes in FOID System

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the tragic mass shooting in Aurora earlier this year, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, backed legislation that would update gun safety laws to provide law enforcement with tools to prevent guns from getting into the wrong hands and close loopholes in the Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) system that enabled the Aurora gunman to obtain a firearm.

“The mass shooting in Aurora demonstrated Illinois’ need for an overhaul of its gun laws to protect citizens and prevent further tragedies,” Slaughter said. “Although the shooter was ineligible for gun ownership in Illinois, inefficiencies in our system enabled the gunman to commit this act of senseless violence. We must do everything we can to make sure that mass shootings do not become the norm.”

Slaughter supported Senate Bill 1966, also known as the Fix the FOID Act, which would update current gun laws by mandating universal background checks for all FOID applicants and streamline the revocation process for law enforcement. The legislation also increases FOID card fees with dollars allocated toward mental health services and revocation services. The measure received the backing of the Illinois State Police and gun safety advocates.

“As gun violence continues to ravage our state and country, it is absolutely critical that we take action now and support the Fix the FOID Act,” Slaughter said. “If we are serious about our commitment to stop gun violence, we cannot leave such dangerous loopholes in our gun laws.”