Gong-Gershowitz Bill Holding Gun Manufacturers Accountable Signed into Law

GLENVIEW, Ill. – Gun manufacturers who recklessly market firearms as tools for unlawful violence and paramilitary activity can now be held liable for their actions in court following a new law passed by state Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview.

“Gun dealers who put profits over innocent lives by marketing weapons to children – who prioritize sales figure over the safety of our communities by promoting violent and criminal use of weapons – these bad actors will now be held accountable for the carnage they cause,” Gong-Gershowitz said. “These marketing practices are not tolerated in any other industry. Thanks to Governor Pritzker and my colleagues in Springfield, we are putting bad actors in the gun industry on notice – Illinois will not tolerate promoting violence in the name of profits.”

Advertising by gunmakers frequently glorifies illegal and violent use of their product. It often touts a weapon’s ability to cause extreme bodily harm, promotes criminal paramilitary activity, and markets dangerous firearms to children. This legislation follows a court ruling in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary mass shooting, which found that parents have a reasonable claim against the gun manufacturer for using advertising dollars to promote such “illegal offensive use of the rifle.”

Gong-Gershowitz led the effort to pass House Bill 218, which will make it clear that those affected by gun violence can bring similar civil legal action against gun manufacturers when that advertising results in real-world violence.

 “While this signing is a major victory for those fighting in the interest of public safety, it’s vital we continue to pursue more measures to effectively address the epidemic of gun violence,” Gong-Gershowitz said. “As long as I stand for my community in Springfield, preventing further gun violence tragedies will be a priority.”