HILLSIDE, Ill. – In the wake of the nation’s deadliest acts of domestic terrorism, that left almost 60 people dead and over 500 wounded, state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, is calling for the passage of gun safety reforms that would oversee the sale of high-powered weapons and ban military-style assault rifles.

“It is devastating every time we learn about a new mass casualty event in the news,” Welch said. “Too often the weapons that are used in these tragedies are purchased legally through loopholes in our gun laws. While we can’t get members of Congress and President Trump to stop this at a federal level, we must stop the sale of dangerous firearms in Illinois.”

Welch is a sponsor of House Bill 4107, which would ban military-style assault weapons like those used in the mass shooting in Las Vegas. His measure also bans “bump stock” modifications that the Las Vegas shooter used to turn his semi-automatic rifle into an automatic weapon capable of firing up to 800 bullets per minute. Military-style assault weapons were not only used in the Las Vegas shooting, but have been used in numerous shootings across the United States, including last year’s Orlando nightclub shooting, the 2015 San Bernardino terrorist attack, and the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.

Welch is also highlighting additional legislation that he supports to make it harder for people to purchase guns. Senate Bill 1657 would require any entity that engages in the selling, leasing and transferring of firearms to be licensed with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Responsibility (IDFPR). If entities or dealers fail to register or refuse to do so, the bill details appropriate repercussions on them. Welch believes this measure will promote safer and responsible sales of firearms and provide a barrier for those who seek to illegally obtain and sell guns.

“Senseless attacks can occur anywhere. In Illinois, we have an opportunity to lead the charge and pass statewide reforms that will help keep our communities safe,” Welch said. “I urge all of my colleagues to have an honest and frank discussion about what we can do to protect our fellow citizens without the gun lobby getting in the way. We can and must do better.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is leading the charge to license gun dealers in Illinois in an effort to increase public safety and enhance responsible gun ownership.

“At a time when Chicago’s gun violence is on the rise, we have to be smarter about how people obtain guns and ensure that weapons do not fall into the wrong hands, causing mayhem,” Harper said. “My legislation would accomplish that, by asking gun dealers to become licensed in order to continue engaging in firearm transactions.”

Harper is sponsoring Senate Bill 1657, which creates the Gun Dealer Licensing Act. This measure would require any entity that engages in the selling, leasing and transferring of firearms to be licensed with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Responsibility (IDFPR). If entities or dealers fail to register or refuse to do so, the bill details appropriate repercussions. Harper believes this measure will promote safer and responsible sales of firearms and provide a barrier for those who seek to illegally obtain guns.

“This is a common-sense measure that asks people or entities who conduct gun transactions to be licensed to do so,” said Harper. “If someone becomes licensed then they can responsibly sell firearms to willing buyers. If not, then they will be prohibited from engaging in future transactions, allowing sellers who adhere to the law to continue their business.”