Kalish Continues Effort to Combat Gun Violence, Launches Petition to Pass Gun Reform

CHICAGO – In the wake of the tragic mass shootings in Dayton and El Paso, state Rep. Yehiel “Mark” Kalish, D-Chicago, is leading the fight to pass gun control legislation, launching a petition drive to build support for a series of gun law reforms including stronger background checks, fingerprinting for all gun owners and revoking firearm privileges from dangerous individuals.

“The senseless violence that has devastated communities across the country and touches countless Illinois families must end—we need to act now,” Kalish said. “There is a commonsense reform that is pending in the legislature that will save lives, the time to act is now.”

Kalish is leading a petition drive in support of the Fix the FOID Act, Senate Bill 1966, a proposal that is backed by gun-control advocates and law enforcement groups. The measure will prevent irresponsible gun sales and protect Illinoisans from future tragedies by:

• Instituting universal background checks
• Requiring all firearms sales to take place through licensed dealers
• Requiring mandatory fingerprinting for all gun owner applications and renewals
• Keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals by working with law enforcement to create a database of prohibited, dangerous individuals
• Strengthening enforcement of gun revocations performed by the Illinois State Police and requiring any gun revocations for felony indictments
• Modernizing the gun owner licensing system by increasing the period for approving or denying an application to 90 days and allowing for cancellations

Kalish helped pass the legislation out of the House during the spring legislative session, however, it did not receive a vote in the Senate. Kalish is launching a petition drive to help build support to pass the lifesaving reform.

“I refuse to stand by while gun violence threatens our families,” Kalish said. “We need to work together to get this proposal passed and reverse the alarming increased trend of tragic mass shootings.”

Kalish is urging residents to contact request a petition, sign the petitions over the phone, or to sign his petition online at bit.ly/KalishEndGunViolencePetition. For more information or to sign Kalish’s petition to combat senseless gun violence contact his office at 847-673-1131.