Though Governor Bruce Rauner’s veto of the egregious dealer licensing bills was sustained last week, anti-gun legislators are still attempting to pass the same language as Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 337. The Senate Judiciary Committee will be hearing SA 2 to SB 337 today, May 1st, at 4:15PM. Please contact committee members and urge them to OPPOSE SA 2 to SB 337. In addition, please sign the witness slip for SB 337.
Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 337, offered 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 2 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. (Click here to sign witness slip for SB 337)
Again, please contact committee members and urge them to OPPOSE SA 2 to SB 337.
Senate Judiciary Committee
Chair: Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-13) 217-782-5338
Vice Chair: Sen Elgie Sims (D-17) 217-782-3201
Sen. William Haine (D-56) 217-782-5247
Sen. Don Harmon (D-39) 217-782-8176
Sen. Michael Hastings (D-19) 217-782-9595
Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-40) 217-782-7419
Sen. John Mulroe (D-10) 217-782-1035
Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-8) 217-782-5500
Minority Spokesperson: Sen. Jason Barickman (R-53) 217-782-6597
Sen. Michael Connelly (R-21) 217-782-8192
Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-58) 217-782-8137
Sen. Jill Tracy (R-47) 217-782-2479