State of Illinois Considering Dealer Licensing Legislation Bill SB 1657

The state of Illinois is considering enacting state level firearms retailer legislation. In its current form the bill would likely cause closure of most firearm retailers in the state.

Here is a basic overview:

  • Dealers would be licensed by a by a five-member board consisting of a police chief, a state police officer, an officer of an anti-gun organization, a lawyer, and an FFL holder.
  • All licensed firearm retailers would be subject to inspection and the licensing board would retain the power to close a retailer at any time based on their definition of public safety reasons.
  • In order to apply for a dealer license the applicant must have worked in a licensed gun shop.
  • The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation would establish dealer licensing fees without any oversight.

 

 

If you care about firearms and live in Illinois you need to take action.

Here is a link to the bill:

SB 1657

Here is a link an NSSF document that details the basics and contact numbers of all Illinois state senators. Illinois residents please call your state senator and let them know you oppose this bill. You have to take action.

NSSF SB1657 document

 

NSSF Announces Results of their FixNICS Campaign

Today the National Shooting Sports Foundation announced the results of their ‘FixNICS’ campaign. Their goal was to help states become reporting members of NICS, especially as related to mental health records.

NICS is the FBI’s background check system used by firearm retailers in most states. The system is only as good as the data it contains and most states were not sending information about individuals who due to their mental health status would be prohibited from owning a firearm.

Please read more details about the goal of the FixNICS campaign and the results here:

FixNICS campaign.