Before a proposed gun dealer license law was approved by the House, Rep. David Harris (R-Arlington Heights) already had amendments made to the bill.
Harris brought up several concerns during last week's floor debate involving SB1657, presented by Rep. Kathleen Willis (D-Addison) on behalf of Rep. Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park), which would require gun dealer to pay $1,000 every five years for a license, videotape firearm owners identification (FOID) card purchases and perform background checks for employees who sell firearms.
The concerns included the cost of the license fees and language about the restriction on a gun dealer being allowed to locate within 500 feet of a daycare facility; however, unlike many of his peers, Harris said the bill does not infringe on Second Amendment rights to own a firearm.
“Does licensure make sense?” Harris asked, questioning why SB1657 would exempt any commerce that sells less than 20 percent in firearm sales from certification. Along with his concerns, Harris shared the anxieties from the village of Arlington Heights and Mayor Thomas Hayes over SB1657 excluding large stores like Walmart or Cabela from the new law while reading a letter the constituents sent him Feb. 26.
“This big-box thing does bother me,” Harris said.
Harris then addressed the straw purchases and a dealer’s responsibility if the firearm he sold was lost or stolen and later used for a crime.
Harris said he has discussed the issues with Willis and filed an amendment to the bill that brings in the big-box stores and also increases the penalties for not reporting lost or stolen firearms.
Though Harris made some amendments to the new legislation, he ended handing other concerns back to Willis for research.
“You really do need to look at that issue about the 500-foot range of a dealership opening up after the enactment of this bill,” Harris said.
SB1657 passed the House in a 64-52 vote and was sent to Gov. Bruce Rauner.
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