Illinois Veto Session Showcases Anti-Gun Bills

Bullet Serialization and Dealer Licensing Bills Moving View this email in your browser Action Needed — Bullet Serialization Hearing Scheduled for Tomorrow

Two weeks ago, the Judiciary - Criminal Committee held an "informational only" hearing on Rep. Sonya Harper's House Bill 6615. This unworkable legislation seeks to create a serialization system for all handgun ammunition in the State of Illinois. Fast forward to today and the bill has now been scheduled for another hearing by the same committee tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 1:30 p.m. in Room D-1, Stratton Office Building in Springfield. Based upon the make-up of the committee, if a vote is taken it will most likely pass out of the committee and go to the floor on Wednesday or Thursday.



Bullet serialization is essentially a de-facto ban since manufacturers cannot serialize ammunition, as it impedes the production process and violate patents. The massive reduction in ammunition production would translate into a severe shortage of serialized ammunition for all consumers, including federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. HB 6615 would lead to substantial price increases per cartridge sold.



Action Needed — Possible Floor Vote This Week on Dealer Licensing



In May, House Bill 1016, which would create the Gun Dealer Licensing Act, one of the most onerous assaults on gun rights seen in Illinois in years, was defeated by a 55-43 vote. Undeterred, anti-gun legislators are bringing the bill back during the veto session and a floor vote is expected on Wednesday or Thursday of this week.



In the name of increasing public safety, legislators seek to mandate elaborate security standards and other costly operating procedures. The heart of HB1016 is the requirement that all firearm dealers must have a state-issued license in order to operate. Here are some of the specifics on what this legislation seeks to implement:



Dealers must obtain permission from the local sheriff to operate their business.



Family members may not participate in the family business if under age 21.



A licensing process administered by a five-member board consisting of: a police chief; a state police officer; an officer of an anti-gun organization; a lawyer; and an FFL holder.



The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation would be empowered to establish dealer licensing fees without oversight.



Every sale is to be video recorded, available for inspection by State and Federal authorities, which is tantamount to firearm registration.



Firearm retailers will be subject to unlimited inspections by administrative authorities while also granting the board the ability to shut down a retailer at any time for "public safety" reasons.



NSSF is urging all retailers, manufacturers and gun-owners to contact your state representative http://bit.ly/2fab369 to voice your opposition to HB 6615 and HB 1016 before it is voted on this week.