Some of the less-controversial proposals in Gov. Bruce Rauner’s public safety package have begun to move through the Illinois General Assembly as standalone bills ahead of the body’s adjournment on Thursday.

Among them, Senate Bill 3256, mandating a 72-hour waiting period following the purchase of a firearm, passed the Illinois House 72-44, a veto-proof majority, and heads to the Senate for approval.

The legislation is similar to an earlier bill that established a waiting period following the purchase of an assault weapon. That bill, House Bill 1468, was stopped in its tracks by Gov. Bruce Rauner a few weeks ago. Using his amendatory veto powers, Rauner essentially rewrote that bill, using it as a vehicle to propose a comprehensive package of public safety proposals.

Though Rauner included the 72-hour cooling period for all guns, he also added riders like the reinstatement of the death penalty for cop killers and mass murderers, banning bump stocks, and a “red flag” provision that allows for guns to temporarily be taken from those deemed a danger to themselves or others.

While lawmakers held hearings on Rauner’s proposal, they have largely dealt with the various items as separate issues, acknowledging the difficulty of forging a coalition to pass such a divergent menu of proposals.

The current iteration of the cooling period legislation combines Rauner’s language with that of the original bill. A notable difference from the governor’s language, however, is this bill closes a gun show loophole.

“This is common sense legislation,” said Rep. Kathleen Willis, D-Addison. “It is so common sense that the governor himself put it in his amendatory veto. So he feels this is a good piece of legislation.”

Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, the bill’s sponsor, said the bill represents “good language that both sides can agree with.”

Some Republicans objected, however, arguing the language was too different from Rauner’s proposal and worried about the effect it would have on gun shows in the state.

The bill heads to the Senate.

'Red flag' bill passes

In addition, House Bill 2354, a measure that would allow for firearms to be temporarily taken from those deemed to be a danger to themselves or others, passed the Illinois Senate.

Following a 43-11 affirmative vote, the measure goes to the governor’s desk.

The bill would allow for family members or law enforcement to petition a judge to have a person’s firearms taken away for up to six months.

“In far too many mass shooting events, family members identified disturbing behavior in their loved ones and didn’t know where to turn,” said Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Deerfield. “In some cases, when this behavior was reported, there was no legal mechanism to step in and prevent potential tragedy.”

Though the language differs slightly from Rauner’s proposal, it passed both houses with veto-proof majorities and administration officials have expressed support for the general concept.

“Families have got to take a more proactive role in addressing safety in this nation,” John Thompson of the Illinois State Police said a few weeks ago, testifying on behalf of Rauner’s proposal. “And I feel this proposal, the restraining order, does help achieve that goal.”

Gun dealer licensing passes again

A day after clearing the House, a bill that would require Illinois gun dealers to be certified with the state passed Senate Wednesday and now heads to Rauner’s desk.

Senate Bill 337 passed 35-20 with most Democrats and a few suburban Republicans voting yes.

If signed into law, it would require gun dealers to certify their federal license with the Illinois State Police. It also calls for a study of gun trafficking data and imposes a penalty on private dealers who fail to keep adequate records of private sales.

The effort rose from the ashes of a failed attempt to license gun shops at the state level. That bill, Senate Bill 1657, would have required gun dealers to register for a five-year license with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The idea was to ensure professional standards, like proper employee training and adequate video surveillance, were being met.

Rauner vetoed the measure, deeming it “unnecessary, burdensome regulation.” And after failing to yield enough votes to override, proponents began from scratch. The result was a compromise, led by Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, and Sen. Chris Nybo, R-Elmhurst.

“We’ve done what we could to address the governor’s concerns about red tape and bureaucracy and unnecessary burdens on small business,” Harmon said. “This is a much more streamlined way that gun dealers are certified with the state and follow best practice without creating a cumbersome process for them to follow.”

The effort was not enough for most Republicans and Democrats who represent downstate districts, however.

Opponents' concerns included the impact the bill would have on small gun shops and language in a late-added amendment — which would allow gun dealers to store records with the state police — they say would be a slippery slope to a gun registry.

But Harmon said that claim was “malarky” and “a convenient dodge to explain a 'no' vote.”

Nybo said the bill’s intention was not to create a registry, but to look at the “big picture” when addressing gun crime.

“When we catch someone with a gun they’re not supposed to have, there’s two criminals,” Nybo said, referring to person committing the crime and the person who sold him or her the illegal weapon.

Once the Senate sends the bill to Rauner, he will have 60 days to act on it.
