Slaughter Backs Legislation to Keep Firearms Away From Dangerous Individuals

SPPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To keep weapons out of the hands of individuals who pose a threat to others or themselves, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, recently supported legislation that will enhance the ability of law enforcement, family and household members to apply for a firearm restraining order.

“The issue of gun violence has become more prevalent during the pandemic as we saw increased rates of crime across the city and our communities,” said Slaughter. “People have a right to be safe and free from intimidation from dangerous individuals who have easy access to a firearm. When used to their fullest extent, red flag laws are a valuable tool to prevent gun-related tragedies by limiting access to firearms in the first place.”

The Slaughter-backed House Bill 1092 strengthens Illinois’ red flag law by allowing more family members to petition the court to temporarily restrict a person’s access to guns if they are believed to be at risk for committing violence. Additionally, the bill creates a public awareness campaign to educate community members on the existing firearms restraining order law and the types of situations in which it may be used. This life-saving gun violence prevention measure passed the House last week and now awaits consideration in the Senate.

“In the fight to make sure our communities are protected from gun violence, this legislation is absolutely critical,” said Slaughter. “I appreciate the continued support from my colleagues in the General Assembly for the work we are doing to get guns out of the wrong hands and keep families safe.”