SPRINGFIELD — Members of the Illinois Senate Black Caucus to the governor’s unwillingness to support commonsense measures to curb gun violence and help sweep unregistered firearms off the streets.
Succumbing to pressure from the NRA, Gov. Bruce Rauner today vetoed the Gun Dealer Licensing Act, which would have permitted the state to license and inspect gun dealers in an effort to assist the federal government in holding corrupt dealers accountable for illegal firearm sales.
Rauner vetoed the measure less than 24 hours before a national walkout to protest school gun violence and call on lawmakers to enact stricter gun laws.
Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood), who also chairs the joint Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, delivered a clear message: “Leave it to Governor Rauner to put politics before public safety. If his goal was to curb gun violence in our state he would have appointed a commission his first day in office, not over three years into his term. There is too much at stake to continue stalling for personal advancement.”
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