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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
PROPOSED ADVISORY REFERENDUM REGARDINGTHE ILLINOIS PUBLIC SAFETY ACT
WHEREAS, gun violence results in nearly 1,000 deaths each year in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago in the County of Cook confiscates more illegal guns per capita than New York or Los Angeles; and
WHEREAS, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, since being adopted, background checks conducted by licensed firearm dealers have prevented more than two million dangerous individuals from purchasing guns; and
WHEREAS, current state and national law requiring background checks for purchase of firearms only applies to licensed firearm dealers estimated to cover only 60 percent of total gun sales; and
WHEREAS, studies have shown that universal background checks significantly reduce the number of guns entering the illegal market; and
WHEREAS, semi-automatic military style weapons and high capacity magazines are designed to increase a shooter's ability to fire the maximum number of rounds in a shorter amount of time, thus increasing the likelihood of mass casualties or injuries; and
WHEREAS, a review of mass shootings by Mayors Against Illegal Guns found that when an assault weapon or large capacity magazine was used it resulted in 135 percent more victims and 57 percent more deaths, compared to other mass shooting; and
WHEREAS, requiring universal background checks and banning the sale of semi-automatic, military style assault weapons and high capacity magazines would help to prevent dangerous or mentally unstable individuals from obtaining deadly weapons; and
WHEREAS, the result of an advisory referendum would constitute the opinion of the residents of Cook County on whether, in the State of Illinois, universal background checks should be required and semi-automatic, military style assault weapons and high capacity magazines should be banned; and
WHEREAS, it is deemed to be in the public interest to submit this question of public policy to the voters of Cook County.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, THAT:
Section 1. The following question of public policy shall be submitted to the voters of this county as an advisory referendum in the general election scheduled for November 4, 2014, consistent with the applicable provisions of the Illinois Election Code; to wit;
"Shall the Illinois General Assembly enact the Illinois Public Safety Act (Senate Bill 3659) which would require universal background checks for firearm transfers and prohibit the sale and transfer of assault weapons, assault weapon attachments and high capacity ammunition magazines?"
Section 2. This advisory referendum shall be conducted in accordance with provisions of the Illinois Election Code pertaining to the conduct of the general election scheduled for November 4, 2014.
Section 3. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and approval.
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