Chicago, IL: A third background check and mandatory training for firearms purchases would be mandated by law in the state of Illinois.
Even though nearly four million background checks will be conducted on Illinois gun owners in 2023, the passage of a proposed bill would require Illinoisans who wish to purchase a firearm to complete three background checks and state-approved training.
A proponent of the Second Amendment asserts that the purpose of this most recent gun restriction measure is to prevent law-abiding citizens from obtaining firearms.
Sponsored by state Representative Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, House Bill 3239 would require eight hours of training and other prerequisites for Illinoisans to purchase a firearm. The bill is currently in the Criminal Committee of the House of Judiciary, which is scheduled to convene in Springfield on Tuesday. She will not be calling the bill this week, according to her office.
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The measure, according to William Kirk, president of Washington Gun Law, would require residents who wish to purchase a firearm to appear before their local law enforcement agency for a background check and fingerprinting.
“They would have a period of 180 days from the date they were issued the permission slip to purchase a firearm.” They are required to present that document to the [licensee of federal firearms]. It is required that the FFL obtain a receipt for it. Kirk compared it to purchasing a punch card; one can be obtained per permission form.
“Illinois also has the ridiculous “Firearm Owners Identification” card, which means that anyone with a FOID card is required to undergo a background check; additionally, anyone who has ever purchased a firearm is aware that any FFL will conduct a federally mandated background check; and finally, you are required to undergo a background check when you receive your permission slip from local police.”
Residents of Illinois are required to possess or acquire firearms and ammunition with a valid FOID card. Nearly 19% of the state’s 12.7 million inhabitants, or more than 2.4 million individuals, possess FOID cards, according to data from the Illinois State Police. Cook County has produced the highest quantity of these cards, exceeding 730,000 active cards as of the conclusion of 2023. The county of Champaign had issued 34,144.
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In regards to firearms, Illinoisans are already subjected to some of the most comprehensive background investigations. According to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigations on firearm background checks, Illinois underwent 248,767 background checks in February. 163,355 of those were categorized as “permit rechecks.” This ranks second nationally, trailing only the 321,300 total inspections and 294,377 rechecks issued by Kentucky. Utah ranked third in terms of the greatest number of February rechecks, with 50,486.
According to FBI statistics, Illinois conducted 3,961,236 firearm background investigations nationwide in 2023. Kentucky’s 3.6 million total checks are nearly 300,000 fewer than the amount of checks presented by every other state.
Kirk stated that the eight-hour mandatory course mandated by the proposed Illinois legislation is a significant issue. He has observed this in other jurisdictions, such as California, where state certification is typically required for the courses.
To purchase a firearm, Illinois residents would be required to complete eight hours of mandatory training approved by the director of the Illinois State Police, per HB3239.
Kirk stated that this measure would require permission from the government before Illinoisans could exercise an inalienable right. The Supreme Court of the United States would almost certainly strike down HB3239 and the FOID card, he predicted.