CHICAGO – State Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, is highlighting a new law signed last week that aims to keep illegal firearms out of the wrong hands by establishing licensing standards for gun dealers in Illinois.

“Our state has required licenses for businesses that sell alcohol and tobacco, car dealerships and even beauty salons for years, while gun dealers were subject to only minimal regulations,” Slaughter said. “Requiring licensing standards for gun shops is a commonsense approach to addressing gun violence in Illinois and is an important move for improving public safety and reducing the number of illegal gun sales in our state.”

Slaughter’s Senate Bill 337, also known as the Combating Illegal Gun Trafficking Act, was signed into law last week by Gov. JB Pritzker. The bipartisan measure creates new regulations for gun dealers, including background checks and mandatory safety training to help employees spot gun traffickers. The new law also grants greater authority for law enforcement to inspect gun-selling businesses and requires the use of video surveillance systems to prevent theft.

“I want to thank Rep. Slaughter and all the members of the Illinois General Assembly who voted to keep illegal guns out of our communities,” said Kathleen Sances, President and CEO of the Illinois Gun Violence Prevention PAC (GPAC). “Our streets, communities and families will be safer now that SB 337 is the law of the land and we are grateful to all of the legislators who put public safety first.”

CHICAGO – Fighting back against gun violence and cracking down on gun dealers, state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is highlighting new gun safety measures that are now law. 

“Gun violence occurs too often in my district and across Chicago, and it is about time we made new rules and regulations for gun dealers in Illinois,” said Harper. “Even hair salons undergo rigorous safety requirements for their customers, and leveling the playing field for firearm sellers is the least we can ask of them in order to keep the public safe from future violence.”

Harper worked to pass Senate Bill 337 in 2018, and the bill was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker today. Harper’s new law creates new safety requirements for gun dealers across Illinois. Sellers and dealers of dangerous firearms will now be required to perform background checks on their gun buyers, be required to install new security methods to prevent guns from being stolen and finally cracks down on illegal gun trafficking in the state.

Harper has worked to pass related gun safety laws, including a three-day waiting period to obtain a gun and the Lethal Violence Order of Protection, which allows family members to interevene on behalf of individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and their guns temporarily confiscated while seeking help. 

“We want to thank Rep. Sonya Harper 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.”

Harper represents the 6th District, which includes all or portions of Armour Square, Bridgeport, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Gage Park, Back of the Yards, Canaryville, New City, West Englewood, and Marquette Park.

HILLSIDE, Ill. –A measure backed by state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside aimed at curbing gun violence and saving lives be creating commonsense licensing standards for gun dealers was signed into law Thursday. 

“This new law is an important step in the right direction to combat the senseless violence that has caused so much pain for families throughout the state,” Welch said. “However, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to reduce violence and heal our communities by keeping dangerous weapons off our streets, ensuring access to job training programs, and fully funding mental health services and after school programs for at-risk youth.”

Welch cosponsored the bipartisan Senate Bill 337, also known as the Combating Illegal Gun Trafficking Act, to require the Illinois State Police to certify firearm dealers as well as better track private gun sales. The new law requires criminal background checks for gun dealer employees, institutes an annual training on how employees should handle background checks, mandates video surveillance at gun shops and provides additional authority for law enforcement to inspect locations. The legislation was signed into law by Gov. Pritzker on Thursday. 

“I want to thank Rep. Welch and all the members of the Illinois General Assembly who voted to keep illegal guns out of our communities,” said Kathleen Sances, President and CEO of the Illinois Gun Violence Prevention PAC (GPAC). “Our streets, communities and families will be safer now that SB 337 is the law of the land and we are grateful to all of the legislators who put public safety first.”

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – A measure backed by state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, aimed at curbing gun violence and saving lives be creating commonsense licensing standards for gun dealers was signed into law Thursday.

“We are all aware of the alarmingly commonplace, senseless tragedies caused by gun violence across our country,” Manley said. “We have to take every step possible to prevent similar tragedies from happening here at home.”

Manley supported the bipartisan Senate Bill 337, also known as the Combating Illegal Gun Trafficking Act, to require the Illinois State Police to certify firearm dealers as well as better track private gun sales. The new law requires criminal background checks for gun dealer employees, institutes an annual training on how employees should handle background checks, mandates video surveillance at gun shops and provides additional authority for law enforcement to inspect locations. The legislation was signed into law by Gov. Pritzker on Thursday.  

“This new licensing process will create greater accountability for dealers who have failed to make the effort to keep guns out of the hands of criminals,” Manley said. “Gun violence is a complex problem that has no single fix, but today’s signing was a positive step forward that will have a lasting impact and save lives.” 

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. – Helping to curb gun violence in Illinois, state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Buffalo Grove, is highlighting a new law that establishes measures to crack down on gun dealers and illegal gun trafficking.

“These are the types of commonsense, bipartisan gun reforms Illinois needs more of,” said Carroll.  “Our new law will send a message to the rest of the country that Illinois is a leader on gun safety.”

Carroll backed Senate Bill 337 to  require criminal background checks on all gun purchases, demands increased accountability from gun retailers by requiring the presence of video surveillance, new security methods to keep dangerous guns from being stolen and helps crack down on illegal gun trafficking. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed this bill into law today.

 “I want to thank Rep. Carroll and all the members of the Illinois General Assembly who voted to keep illegal guns out of our communities,” said Kathleen Sances, President and CEO of the Illinois Gun Violence Prevention PAC (GPAC). “Our streets, communities and families will be safer now that SB 337 is the law of the land and we are grateful to all of the legislators who put public safety first.”