Illinois: Senate Passes Another Bill to Shut Down Your Gun Store Despite Veto of Previous Two

Today, the Illinois state Senate voted 35-18 to pass Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 337, which would shut down your local gun stores with onerous red tape and regulations.  Governor Bruce Rauner has previously vetoed two of these egregious dealer licensing bills, but anti-gun legislators are not giving up.  SA 3 to SB 337 will now go to the House of Representatives for further consideration, where anti-gun legislators are also attempting to override Gov. Rauner’s veto on a bill which would arbitrarily expand waiting periods for certain commonly owned semi-automatic firearms.  Please contact your state Representative and urge them to OPPOSE SA 3 to SB 337 and to OPPOSE overriding the veto of HB 1468.  Click the “Take Action” button below to contact your state Representative.

Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 337, sponsored by Senator Don Harmon (D-3), would create an onerous gun dealer licensing scheme within the state.  While the purported intent of this legislation was to enhance “responsible business practices,” these bills only prove that the intention is to close as many federally licensed firearm dealers (FFLs) as possible.  The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) licenses and closely monitors all FFLs and strictly enforces any violation of federal law.  SA 3 to SB 337 go so far beyond federal law in its mandatory regulations and red tape imposed at the state level that they would almost assuredly force the closure of most firearm dealers and prevent prospective owners from opening new ones.  This legislation seeks to create so many department divisions, anti-gun 5-member licensing boards, and licensing fees that dealers would be forced to close through oversight by anti-gun appointees or being priced out of business. 

House Bill 1468, sponsored by Representative Jonathan Carroll (D-57), would require a 72 hour waiting period for certain commonly-owned semi-automatic firearms and .50 BMG caliber rifles.  Current Illinois law requires a 72 hour waiting period for handguns and a 24 hour waiting period for long guns.  The arbitrary distinction in this bill will cause confusion among firearm sellers about which long guns require a 72 hour waiting period.  In addition, it would also ban the sale of these firearms to non-residents.

Again, please contact your state Representative and urge them to OPPOSE SA 3 to SB 337 and to OPPOSE overriding the veto of HB 1468.  In addition, you may click here to find your state Representative.