Illinois Legislature Unanimously Approves Cook County State’s Attorney’s Gun Trafficking Bill
A tough new firearms trafficking bill drafted by the Cook County State’s Attorney that will target straw purchasers who bring guns into Illinois from other states and attempt to sell them on the streets has unanimously passed both houses of the Illinois Legislature and awaits the signature of the Governor, State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez announced today.
House Bill 6303 will create an additional tool for law enforcement by targeting straw purchasers who do not have a valid FOID card and who obtain firearms or ammunition out of state and bring them into Illinois to sell them in the illegal black market. The measure creates a new criminal charge for the offense of firearms trafficking and makes the offense a Class 1 Felony for trafficking a firearm and a Class X Felony if a defendant has a prior conviction for firearms trafficking, gunrunning or any felony offense for delivery of a firearm.
“We know that illegally trafficked guns contribute directly to the excessive rate of gun crime here in Chicago and we must continue to work to identify and implement new strategies that target these offenders,” said State’s Attorney Alvarez.
“With shootings and gun violence at epidemic levels here in Chicago, this measure could not come at a more important time. I thank all of the bill sponsors and urge the Governor to sign this important new legislation.”
A recent University of Chicago Crime Lab study demonstrates a staggering trend in the flow of illegal firearms into Illinois from other states. In 2010, approximately 60 percent of the firearms recovered from crime scenes in Chicago were originally purchased outside of Illinois.
According to the study, the number of firearms coming into Illinois increased consistently between 2001 and 2010. In addition, the study revealed that the “time to crime” for guns recovered at crime scenes steadily increased over this time period as well, meaning that the firearms coming across the Illinois border were quickly used in a crime less than one year from the time of purchase.
The measure specifically targets gun traffickers who already cannot legally possess a firearm. It does not apply a penalty to law abiding gun owners.
State Representative and House Leader Jim Durkin was the chief sponsor of the measure in the House and Senate Leader Christine Radogno was the chief sponsor of the measure in the Senate.
