Two bills that will drive local gun stores out of business currently sit on Governor Bruce Rauner’s desk. Senate Bill 1657 and House Bill 1273, the egregious dealer licensing bills, were passed by the Illinois state Legislature last night. Please contact Gov. Rauner (217-782-0244) and urge him to VETO SB 1657 and HB 1273. Click the “Take Action” button below to contact Gov. Rauner.





Senate Bill 1657, sponsored by Senator Don Harmon (D-39), was passed by the House with a vote of 64-52 and House Bill 1273, sponsored by Representative Kathleen Willis (D-77), was passed by the Senate with a vote of 30-23. These bills would create an onerous gun dealer licensing scheme within the state. While the purported intent of this legislation was to enhance “responsible business practices,” these bills only prove that the intention is to close as many federally licensed firearm dealers (FFLs) as possible. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) licenses and closely monitors all FFLs and strictly enforces any violation of federal law. SB 1657 and HB 1273 go so far beyond federal law in its mandatory regulations and red tape imposed at the state level that they would almost assuredly force the closure of most firearm dealers and prevent prospective owners from opening new ones. This legislation seeks to create so many department divisions, anti-gun 5-member licensing boards, and licensing fees that dealers would be forced to close through oversight by anti-gun appointees or being priced out of business.

SB 1657 & HB 1273 go far beyond federal law and are designed to shut down as many FFLs as possible.

Again, please use the “Take Action” button above to tell Gov. Rauner not to shut down your local gun store and VETO SB 1657 and HB 1273.