Lilly-Backed Law will Crack Down on Illinois’ Gun Dealers

CHICAGO – Gun shops will be held more accountable and be required to conduct thorough background checks under a new law back by state Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, establishing stricter licensing standards for all Illinois gun dealers.

“Illinois should continue to be a leader on gun safety and double down on policies that keep people safe from dangerous weapons of war while also actively rejecting the extreme agenda of the National Rifle Association,” said Lilly. “This new law is a victory for gun reform, but we must continue our work to strengthen our commitment to keeping our communities safe from gun violence.” 

 Lilly supported Senate Bill 337, which requires gun shops to be licensed with the state, similar to how other businesses, like hair salons and car dealerships, are held to a higher standards in order to conduct their business operations. Currently, gun shops only face minor federal scrutiny, but this new state law establishes new requirements to crack down on illegal gun transactions, ensure background checks on gun buyers and gun shop employees are conducted, and increase security measures for stores to prevent dangerous weapons from being stolen. Lilly will continue her advocacy on gun safety reform to help stem gun violence in Illinois and promote ideas like buying one gun per month, banning bump stocks and military-style assault rifles and banning lead from bullets.

 “We want to thank Rep. Lilly as well as all those who voted to keep illegal guns out of our communities,” said Kathleen Sances, Pres. and CEO of the Gun Violence Prevention PAC. “The new measure will require criminal background checks and training for gun shop employees to spot illegal gun traffickers and prevent theft by requiring video surveillance of brick and mortar stores. Our streets and communities will be safer now that SB 337 is the law of the land.”