Gun Sense Candidate Victories

With the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, we are hopeful that gun violence issues that have been neglected at the federal level will finally be addressed.  You can check out President-elect Biden's stance on various gun issues on his website.
​We will update you as policies are introduced at the federal level.

And here in Illinois, MANY gun sense candidates were elected or re-elected to the General Assembly.  Congratulations!

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), 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).   

And a special shout-out to Denyse Wang Stoneback (District 16), founder and past president of People for a Safer Society!

COVID-19 Concerns

Once again, Illinois's COVID numbers are increasing.  The governor is calling on residents to scale back their activities and to wear masks outside the house and to social distance in public.  
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The Illinois General Assembly has cancelled its fall sessions and will not meet again until January 2021at the earliest

With increased anxiety over COVID, financial concerns and work challenges, we know that depression is on the rise.  Many homes also have more children home due to remote learning. Having a firearm in your home increases the risk of suicide as well as the risk of domestic gun violence.

If you are worried about someone who has access to a gun, please go to Speak for Safety Illinois for information on getting a firearms restraining order

Ongoing actions 

  • We will continue to work towards passing the BIO (Blocking Illegal Ownership) Bill once the General Assembly is back in session.  SB1966 (formerly known as Fix the FOID).  This legislation has passed the Illinois House and we are now looking for support in the Illinois Senate.  Click here for information about the bill and directions to contact your state senator.
  • Please contact these committee members and ask them to support this life-saving legislation.
Senator                          District                             Springfield Phone                            District Phone
Rachelle Crowe               56                                    (217) 782-5247                             (618) 251-9840
Elgie R. Sims, Jr.             17                                     (217) 782-3201                             (773) 933-7715
Ann Gillespie                   27                                     (217) 782-4471                             (847) 749-1880
Don Harmon                   39                                     (217) 782-8176                              (708) 848-2002
Michael E. Hastings      19                                      (217) 782-9595                              (815) 464-5431
Robert F. Martwick        10                                      (217) 782-1035                             (773) 286-1115
Jason A. Barickman.     53                                     (217) 782-6597                             (309) 661-2788
Paul Schimpf                  58                                     (217) 782-8137                             (618) 684-1100
Jil Tracy                           47                                     (217) 782-2479                              (217) 223-0833

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About Us

People 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.

GREAT NEWS!
​The Combating Illegal Gun Trafficking Act and the Firearms Restraining Order Act are now laws in Illinois!
​Recently, changes were proposed to the Gun Dealer Certification legislation.  Many organizations, including PFSS, signed on to a letter to the Illinois State Police to support the changes.  You can read the letter here.
​The Combating Illegal Gun Trafficking Act will encourage best business practices among gun dealers and hold corrupt gun dealers accountable in Illinois. The bill: 
  • requires the licensee and employees of gun shops to undergo background checks,
  • allows law enforcement to inspect gun shops, and
  • requires video security for gun shops to prevent theft 
This bill will help stem the flow of illegal guns to Chicago. 

Click here to read the Act. 
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The Firearms Restraining Order (FRO) allows people to get a judge-issued court order to temporarily remove firearms from a person who is a safety risk to themselves and/or others.

Click here to go to Speak for Safety Illinois for more details about FRO.
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Thanks to everyone who made phone calls, signed petitions, and filed witness slips! Your actions were effective! 

Fast Facts
  • Gun violence in the United States claims over 37,000 lives annually
  • A gun in the home makes the likelihood of homicide three times higher, suicide five times higher, and unintentional firearm death four times higher.
  • In the United States guns kill twice as many children and young people as cancer