On Tuesday, November 7, the Illinois Senate is scheduled to consider Senate Bill 333, a gun dealer licensing bill that slightly amends Senate Bill 1657, in an attempt to gather more votes for this gun control legislation. SB 333 does nothing to alter the most egregious aspects of this bill, merely reducing fees and creating a phase-in period. SB 1657 remains an attempt to run gun dealers in Illinois out of business entirely. It is important that you contact your state Senator and state Representative and strongly urge them to oppose Senate Bill 333 and Senate Bill 1657 respectively.
Senate Bill 1657/ Senate Bill 333 would create onerous mandatory regulations, fees and costs potentially in the thousands of dollars and excessive amounts of red tape that would almost assuredly force the closure of many firearm dealers, and prevent prospective owners from opening new ones. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) already licenses and closely monitors all federally licensed firearm dealers (FFLs) and strictly enforces any violation of federal law.
Again, please contact your state Senator and state Representative and strongly urge them to oppose Senate Bill 333 and Senate Bill 1657 respectively.