Protect Illinois Communities Act: Gun violence survivors push for critical gun safety laws
People hurt by gun violence voiced powerful support Monday for legislation designed to increase gun safety in Illinois.
By Sally Schulze and FOX 32 News
December 12, 2022
CHICAGO - People hurt by gun violence voiced powerful support Monday for legislation designed to increase gun safety in Illinois.
"We stand together right now to say enough is enough. Something needs to be done," said Continna Patterson. She was shot along with 10 family members at a vigil in October, and still suffers from an injury to her leg.
Others speaking out at the news conference have less visible scars, like Gwendolyn Baxter who lost her son in 2016.
"I can't call myself a survivor because I haven't survived this. It still hurts," she said through tears.
Many hurt by gun violence stood with Democratic lawmakers who are pushing for House Bill 5855, called the "Protect Illinois Communities Act."
"Throughout the pandemic, Illinois led the country in gun sales and today there are more guns in Illinois households than ever before," said state Representative Maura Hirschauer, (D) 49th District.
"Republicans and Democrats must work together for the common good, for life over guns and pass House Bill 5855," said state Representative LaShawn Ford, (D) 8th District.
On Monday, the first committee hearing was held on the bill. It would raise the minimum wage for most to get a FOID card to 21, address illegal gun trafficking, improve implementation of the Firearm Restraining Order law, as well as ban assault weapons. That part of the measure is fueled by the Highland Park July 4th shooting, when seven were killed and dozens injured in a barrage of gunfire.
"We should all be ashamed that we haven't taken action sooner," said state Representative Bob Morgan, whose district includes Highland Park.
The families that gathered to support the law are outraged it is such a struggle to make changes that they feel will save lives.
"We can't be that heartless. We shouldn't have to have these representatives come up here and fight and demand and command. This should be something natural, but we are becoming numb," said Baxter.
Representative Morgan said his goal was to get the bill passed by January 10 or sooner.
