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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
SUBSTITUTE TO FILE 16-2302 (6-7-2016)
SUPPORTING AMENDMENT 7 TO ILLINOIS HOUSE BILL 1016, THE GUN DEALER & AMMUNITION SELLER ACT
WHEREAS, on average 1,000 people die each year from gunshot wounds in our state. The gun death toll in Illinois in 2013 included 576 homicides and 496 suicides; and
WHEREAS, guns are used in over 70% of all homicides in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, the price of one gun homicide costs an average of $441,000 in direct costs (including law enforcement, medical expenses, court costs, and prison), of which 87% is paid by taxpayers; and
WHEREAS, each gun death averages about $6 million in total costs, including both direct and indirect costs; and
WHEREAS, Chicago police officers recover more than twice the number of crime guns per capita than in Los Angeles, and more than seven times than in New York City; and
WHEREAS, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (“ATF”) almost all the guns recovered after being used in crimes were originally sold by retail dealers; and
WHEREAS, corrupt gun dealers represent a major source of illegally trafficked firearms, making oversight of dealers critical; and
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives (“ATF”) estimates that almost all guns used in crimes were originally sold by retail dealers; and
WHEREAS, between 2009 and 2013, four particular gun dealers, each located a short drive outside of Chicago, supplied 20% of all guns recovered from Chicago crime scenes; and
WHEREAS, firearms dealers are subject to very little federal oversight, and on average, are only inspected once a decade. ATF lacks the resources and authority to monitor the 138,000 gun dealers, manufacturers, collectors and others that it licenses; and
WHEREAS, lack of oversight makes it far too easy for gun dealers to turn a blind eye to “straw purchasers,” and other traffickers who fill out the paperwork and undergo background checks in order to provide guns to criminals or other people ineligible to possess guns; and
WHEREAS, states that do not permit or require law enforcement inspections of gun dealers are the sources of crime guns recovered in other states at a rate that is 50% greater than states that do, showing that illegal trafficking of guns could be substantially reduced with better oversight of gun dealers; and
WHEREAS, measures such as law enforcement inspections, background checks for employees, inventory inspections, video surveillance and improved security, and restrictions on the locations of gun dealers and ranges, would promote best practices, discourage theft, and thwart illegal sales and straw purchases; and
WHEREAS, the State of Illinois possess the infrastructure and resources to institute licensing and regulation of gun dealerships, by requiring them to obtain a state license from the Department of Financial & Professional Regulation; and
WHEREAS, the State of Illinois licenses and regulates a wide range of professions to promote public safety, health and welfare, including for example, acupuncturists, cosmetologists, real estate appraisers and geologists, but not gun dealers; and
WHEREAS, too many Illinois families have suffered the loss of a loved one and too many innocent people have been injured or lost their lives as bystanders or victims of gun crimes; and
WHEREAS, Illinois State Senator Don Harmon and Illinois State Representatives Kathleen Willis and Christian Mitchell have introduced Amendment 7 to House Bill 1016, the Gun Dealer Licensing Act (“the Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Act provides that it is unlawful for any person engaged in the business of selling, leasing or otherwise transferring firearms or ammunition without a dealer license issues by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; and
WHEREAS, the Act requires all applicants for a dealer license and their employees to have a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification Card and to have background check conducted; and
WHEREAS, the Act prohibits the consumption of alcohol on the premises of any firearm dealer and allows the Department of State Police to establish rules requiring employees and agents of licenses to undergo training regarding legal requirements and responsible business practices as applicable to the sale or transfer of firearms or ammunition; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County supports Amendment 7 to House Bill 1016, and encourages the Illinois General Assembly to pass both bills and for Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner to sign them; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this resolution be tendered to State Senator Don Harmon, State Representatives Christian Mitchell and Kathleen Willis, Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton and Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner.
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