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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
COMPREHENSIVE GUN CONTROL
WHEREAS, According to national statistics, every year in our country, a firearm is used in nearly 500,000 crimes, resulting in the deaths and injuries of more than 110,000 people, and
WHEREAS, According to statistics from USA Today, between 2006 and 2017 there were mass shootings approximately every 16 days in the United States, with the most recent incident in Parkland Florida sparking a renewed and broad sweeping national conversation on the need for common-sense gun solutions to keep our citizens safe while protecting the 2nd Amendment, and
WHEREAS, In Chicago and Cook County, particularly minority communities that often have the greatest economic needs, gun violence is a traumatic and daily occurrence that has reached a crisis point, prevents economic growth and leads to increased incarceration and the perpetuation of the cycle of violence, and
WHEREAS, According to statistics in 2017, there were 743 homicides as a result of gun violence in Chicago and Cook County, and,
WHEREAS, Gun violence has taken a massive toll on Cook County, taking the lives of countless men and women, many young, leaving physical, psychology, emotional scars for the victims and their families that survive, and producing untreated and pervasive trauma in communities, individuals and children, and
WHEREAS, The effects and costs of gun violence can be seen throughout the county in our criminal justice system, included but not limited to the offices of the Sheriff, State’s Attorney, and Public Defenders, the hospital system, and Medical Examiner’s Office.
WHEREAS, The time is now for comprehensive gun control laws. It is time for our federal and state representatives to take a stand on this crisis, and
WHEREAS, Cook County echoes President Donald Trump’s call for strengthened background checks, the ban of bump stocks and raising the age from 18 to 21 for the purchase of assault-style weapons, and
WHEREAS, Cook County calls upon its residents to reach out to their elected officials to urge the passage of a variety of common-sense gun control policies in Springfield, including but not limited to requiring gun dealers to be licensed, strengthened background checks, and banning the use of military-style weapons, high capacity magazines and the civilian sale of body armor , and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, A step toward more comprehensive gun safety laws is a step in the right direction because every gun death, is one too many.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The Cook County President and the Cook County Board Commissioners call upon Washington D.C. and the State of Illinois to pass comprehensive gun control laws immediately to protect all residents of our country.
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