1990 LWV Convention League of Women Voters of Illinois proposes a concurrence statement on adopting a position on gun control. The League of Women Voters believes that the proliferation of handguns and semi-automatic assault weapons in the United States is a major health and safety threat to its citizens. The League supports strong federal measures to limit the accessibility and regulate the ownership of these weapons by private citizens

LWV position on Federal Legislation Universal background checks control the proliferation of handguns Ban semi-automatic assault weapons institute a 5 day waiting period and background check for the purchase of handguns.

close the Gun Show Loophole to require all dealers to run criminal background checks at gun shows. licensing procedures for gun ownership by private citizens to include a waiting period for background checks, personal identity verification, gun safety education and annual license renewal. The license fee should be adequate to bear the cost of education and verification.

Recent positions Support Gun Dealer Licensing Ban multiple magazines Ban bump stocks or any devices that will modify a gun to deliver rapid fire capability Higher minimum age for purchase Removing guns from people with mental disturbances or domestic violence convictions Improve mental health reporting for background checks Support funding for gun violence research

U.S. Supreme Court Ruling - 2008 Individuals have the right to own guns for self-defense. Justice Scalia: The decision should not be taken to cast doubt on longstanding prohibitions.

Some of those prohibitions Possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill Carrying firearms in schools and government buildings Conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms

More Guns Do Not Stop More Crimes, Evidence Shows 2015 - a combined analysis of 15 different studies found that people who had access to firearms at home were nearly twice as likely to be murdered as people who did not.

“Stand Your Ground” Laws In Florida, the monthly homicide rate went up by nearly a quarter. A 2012 study found that states that adopted these laws experienced an abrupt and sustained 8 percent increase in homicides relative to other states.

idvrs - Weapon Type Homicides Suicidesm # per 100,000

ATF The A.T.F. says it remains unable to fulfill even basic regulatory responsibilities, including inspections of firearms dealers — something the bureau says presents a “significant risk to public safety.” One funding provision, for example, forbids the A.T.F. from using electronic databases to trace guns to owners. Instead, the agency relies on a warehouse full of paper records.

What about the NRA? Opposes legislation requiring secure gun storage Dickey Act on Gun Violence Research Ban lawsuits against gun manufacturers Maintains lobbyists Influence elections and legislators

LWV is not a single issue organization Gun violence is only a piece of the puzzle Poverty Equity in Education Affordable Health Care including Mental Health Affordable housing

Recent TFA’s and Witness Slips on Gun Violence Prevention SB 1657 – Gun Dealer Licensing Bill HB 3390 – lost or stolen firearms HB 0772 – Lethal Violence Order of Protection [LVOP] HB 1465, 1467, 1468 – Witness slips and fB alerts

How does a multi-issue organization respond? Track legislation for maximum effectiveness What about emergency legislation? Join Coalitions Schedule interviews with local legislators Post updated information on social media

What’s the role of an Issues Specialist Monthly national teleconferences Liaison with Coalitions Weekly IL teleconferences Attend workshops, conference and hearings Monthly and Annual Reports

Hopeful Signs , 69 percent of Americans think gun laws in the United States should be made stricter. Overall, 90 percent of Democrats, 54 percent of gun owners and 50 percent of Republicans now favor stricter gun control laws. U. of CA at Davis Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago 2017 – 30 laws on gun regulation in states

What is the League doing now? Partnering with IDVRS – IL Death by Violence Reporting System Gun Violence as a Public Health Crisis Gun Dealers in your community Google Group on GVP – gvp@lwvil.org Continuing relationship with the IL Coalition on Gun Violence Prevention