South Cook News

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has vowed to sign off on a bill that paves the way for gun sellers to be sued for marketing to young people. on May 19th.

“Gun violence is a public health epidemic, and those who encourage unlawful use of a firearm or target sales of firearms to minors worsen the scourge of gun violence in our communities,” Pritzker said in a statement. “This legislation finally protects Illinoisans from predatory actions by the firearms industry.”

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) noted that gun violence should be considered a public health epidemic. Stanford University wrote that studies showed states with tighter policies save lives.

With Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul leading the charge, the House previously approved the bill and it now goes to Pritzker, after GOP lawmakers stood against the proposal in mass.

Forbes reported a poll from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research noted half of polled Republican voters said they wanted stricter gun control laws.

Approved nearly two decades ago in 2005, the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act widely exempts gun makers from being sued for injuries caused by criminal misuse of their products, though it provides exceptions that include an allegation that the manufacturer or seller violated state or federal law on the sale or marketing of firearms.

Amnesty International wrote that approximately 500 people died daily from gun violence.

Senate President Don Harmon, a Democrat from Oak Park, said the proposal makes clear that the industry must comply with Illinois law, including a prohibition on marketing guns to anyone under 18. Before Thursday’s vote, Harmon referenced advertising campaigns for a “JR-15” rifle that dubbed the weapon “smaller, safer and lighter.”