Statement from President Preckwinkle on Gun Safety and Votes in Springfield

Today, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle issued the following statement in advance of scheduled votes on gun legislation in Springfield:

“A step toward more comprehensive gun safety laws is a step in the right direction because every gun death is one too many. 

I'm heartened that the state house will be taking action today on a variety of gun bills. But a vote is not enough. We must not stop pushing for commonsense change until it is law and we cannot stop at the state house because we are also in dire need of federal action. 

I support, as always, Springfield’s efforts to pass the Gun Dealer Licensing Act, which is long overdue and would take the common-sense approach that gun dealers should be licensed like any other business. In Illinois, we require businesses that want to sell liquor, cars or tobacco to have licenses. It is unconscionable that we do not already require this for gun dealers, as it would promote public safety without infringing on gun owners’ Second Amendment rights.

I also support a ban on military-style assault weapons, a ban on high capacity magazines and a ban on civilian sale of body armor because the accessories of war have no place in the general population. 

I hope Springfield does the right thing, that Washington pays attention and that we can move forward together so no child—not a teenager in a high school in Parkland, Florida or a young person on the streets outside school in Chicago—has to fear for their lives."