People for a Safer Society
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has" - Margaret Mead
Gun Sense Progress
Federal Policies
On the national stage, President Biden and Vice President Harris have begun making policy to address gun violence.
In April of 2021, the administration announced initial actions to address what they termed the "gun violence public health epidemic".
Click here for the fact sheet.
In June of 2021, the administration announced a comprehensive strategy to prevent and respond to gun crime and ensure public safety. You can read comments made by Attorney General Garland and President Biden here and view the fact sheet here. Among other issues, this strategy addresses the proliferation of "ghost guns". You can ask the ATF to regulate ghost guns by submitting a comment here.
We are also watching to see if the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) will be renewed. It was allowed to lapse in 2019, but was recently passed for reauthorization in the House. This piece of legislation includes multiple protections for women, including protection from dating partners who have a history of domestic violence. According to The Hill, "It would further close the so-called boyfriend loophole to prevent dating partners convicted of domestic violence or abuse from buying or owning guns. Current law only applies the gun purchase restriction to spouses or formerly married partners convicted of abuse or under a restraining order."
Now we are waiting for the Senate to follow the House's example and reauthorize this legislation.
State Policies
Before the legislature broke for the summer, two gun violence prevention bills were passed.
HB1092 (HB3483 amended) strengthens our existing FRO (Firearm Restraining Order) law by ensuring that ammunition is also collected when a firearm is temporarily removed from a home and by allowing people with a child in common to be eligible to request a FRO even if they were not married. You can see a fact sheet for the bill here. You can also visit Speak For Safety Illinois to learn how to obtain a FRO.
HB562 will help to regulate gun ownership by instituting several measures including:
Sources: Whitehouse.gov, TheHill.com, GPAC Illinois, Everytown for Gun Safety, Denyse Stoneback, Representative, 16th District
On the national stage, President Biden and Vice President Harris have begun making policy to address gun violence.
In April of 2021, the administration announced initial actions to address what they termed the "gun violence public health epidemic".
Click here for the fact sheet.
In June of 2021, the administration announced a comprehensive strategy to prevent and respond to gun crime and ensure public safety. You can read comments made by Attorney General Garland and President Biden here and view the fact sheet here. Among other issues, this strategy addresses the proliferation of "ghost guns". You can ask the ATF to regulate ghost guns by submitting a comment here.
We are also watching to see if the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) will be renewed. It was allowed to lapse in 2019, but was recently passed for reauthorization in the House. This piece of legislation includes multiple protections for women, including protection from dating partners who have a history of domestic violence. According to The Hill, "It would further close the so-called boyfriend loophole to prevent dating partners convicted of domestic violence or abuse from buying or owning guns. Current law only applies the gun purchase restriction to spouses or formerly married partners convicted of abuse or under a restraining order."
Now we are waiting for the Senate to follow the House's example and reauthorize this legislation.
State Policies
Before the legislature broke for the summer, two gun violence prevention bills were passed.
HB1092 (HB3483 amended) strengthens our existing FRO (Firearm Restraining Order) law by ensuring that ammunition is also collected when a firearm is temporarily removed from a home and by allowing people with a child in common to be eligible to request a FRO even if they were not married. You can see a fact sheet for the bill here. You can also visit Speak For Safety Illinois to learn how to obtain a FRO.
HB562 will help to regulate gun ownership by instituting several measures including:
- Requires background checks on all gun sales, including between private individuals
- Records of gun sales must be stored with a federally licensed gun dealer for 20 years
- Provides $9 million of funding for mental health programs
- Removes firearms from individuals with revoked FOID cards that have not yet surrendered them
- Incentivizes fingerprinting for all FOID applicants
- Allows for a stolen firearms database
- Requires Illinois State Police to monitor state and federal databases for prohibited firearm purchasers and update the records with FOID card holders
- Improves processes to secure more funding for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)
Sources: Whitehouse.gov, TheHill.com, GPAC Illinois, Everytown for Gun Safety, Denyse Stoneback, Representative, 16th District
Gun Sense Candidates
Finally, a reminder of Illinois's gun sense legislators in the General Assembly.
Illinois Senate:
Antonio Munoz (Senate District 1), Kimberly Lightford (Senate District 4), Sara Feigenholtz (Senate District 6), Heather Steans (Senate District 7), Robert Martwick (Senate District 10), Celina Villanueva (Senate District 11), Robert Peters (Senate DIstrict 13), Jacqueline Collins (Senate District 16), Cristina Castro (Senate District 22), Karina Villa (Senate District 25), Laura Murphy (Senate District 28), Melinda Bush (Senate District 31), John Connor (Senate District 43), Meg Loughran Cappel (Senate District 49),
Illinois House of Representatives:
Aaron Ortiz (District 1), Theresa Mah (District 2), Eva Dina Delgado (District 3), Delia Ramirez (District 4), Lamont Robinson, Jr. (District 5), Chris Welch (District 7), Lakesia Collins (District 9), Jawaharial "Omar" Williams (District 10), Ann Williams (District 11), Margaret Croke (District 12), Greg Harris (District 13), Denyse Wang Stoneback (District 16), Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, (District 17), Robyn Gabel (District 18), Lindsay LaPointe (District 19), Edgar Gonzalez, Jr. (District 21), Kambium Buckner (District 26), Justin Slaughter (District 27), Thaddeus Jones (District 29), Mary Flowers (District 31), Andre Thapedi (District 32), Will Guzzardi (District 39), Jaime Andrade (District 40), Janet Yang Rohr (District 41), Anna Moeller (District 45), Terra Costa Howard (District 48), Maura Hirschauer (District 49), Mark Walker (District 53), Michelle Mussman (District 56), Bob Morgan (District 58), Dan Didech (District 59), Joyce Mason (District 61), Sam Yingling (District 62), Suzanne Ness (District 66), Maurice West II (District 67), Kathleen Willis (District 77), Camille Lilly (District 78), Anne Stava-Murray (District 81), Barbara Hernandez (District 83) and Dagmara "Dee" Avelar (District 85).
Illinois Senate:
Antonio Munoz (Senate District 1), Kimberly Lightford (Senate District 4), Sara Feigenholtz (Senate District 6), Heather Steans (Senate District 7), Robert Martwick (Senate District 10), Celina Villanueva (Senate District 11), Robert Peters (Senate DIstrict 13), Jacqueline Collins (Senate District 16), Cristina Castro (Senate District 22), Karina Villa (Senate District 25), Laura Murphy (Senate District 28), Melinda Bush (Senate District 31), John Connor (Senate District 43), Meg Loughran Cappel (Senate District 49),
Illinois House of Representatives:
Aaron Ortiz (District 1), Theresa Mah (District 2), Eva Dina Delgado (District 3), Delia Ramirez (District 4), Lamont Robinson, Jr. (District 5), Chris Welch (District 7), Lakesia Collins (District 9), Jawaharial "Omar" Williams (District 10), Ann Williams (District 11), Margaret Croke (District 12), Greg Harris (District 13), Denyse Wang Stoneback (District 16), Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, (District 17), Robyn Gabel (District 18), Lindsay LaPointe (District 19), Edgar Gonzalez, Jr. (District 21), Kambium Buckner (District 26), Justin Slaughter (District 27), Thaddeus Jones (District 29), Mary Flowers (District 31), Andre Thapedi (District 32), Will Guzzardi (District 39), Jaime Andrade (District 40), Janet Yang Rohr (District 41), Anna Moeller (District 45), Terra Costa Howard (District 48), Maura Hirschauer (District 49), Mark Walker (District 53), Michelle Mussman (District 56), Bob Morgan (District 58), Dan Didech (District 59), Joyce Mason (District 61), Sam Yingling (District 62), Suzanne Ness (District 66), Maurice West II (District 67), Kathleen Willis (District 77), Camille Lilly (District 78), Anne Stava-Murray (District 81), Barbara Hernandez (District 83) and Dagmara "Dee" Avelar (District 85).
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About UsPeople for a Safer Society is a gun violence prevention organization that was founded in early 2013, shortly after the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. The organization aims to educate people and raise awareness on gun violence.
The organization facilitates education, awareness and advocacy that can make a difference on local, state, and federal levels. In addition to pushing for common sense gun laws, People for a Safer Society informs communities about non-legislative solutions, such as divestment from gun manufacturers. People for a Safer Society is based in Skokie, Illinois, and has engaged communities throughout the Chicagoland area. |
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