2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. More Guns Do Not Stop More Crimes, Evidence Shows
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.

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

11. idvrs - Weapon Type Homicides Suicidesm # per 100,000

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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 –
Continuing relationship with the IL Coalition on Gun Violence Prevention