Protect Illinois Communities Launches to Support Gun Safety Efforts
December 6, 2022
Chicago, IL — Protect Illinois Communities launched today in support of efforts to pass much needed gun reform in Illinois that will make our communities safer. The newly formed organization will provide resources to engage voters across the state as well as members of the state legislature as they consider the Protect Illinois Communities Act, which was introduced last week by Representative Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield).
The Protect Illinois Communities Act includes common sense measures to keep guns out of the wrong hands, starting with an assault weapons ban. Additionally the bill would raise the minimum age to obtain a FOID card to 21, and increase resources to enforce red-flag laws and stop the influx of illegal weapons into Illinois. Illinoisans are too familiar with the devastating toll of gun violence, and voters across zip codes and political affiliations know that now is the time to take action.
“Complacency and inaction leave the door open for bad actors to obtain weapons with only one purpose: to kill as many people as possible as quickly as possible. Communities across our state can’t afford to wait any longer to act on gun reform,” said Becky Carroll, Chair and President of Protect Illinois Communities. “Protect Illinois Communities is proud to join the efforts of lawmakers around our state as they work on passing this lifesaving legislation, and we will provide significant resources to communicate with communities across Illinois to ensure a successful outcome in January.”
Statistics and data overwhelmingly support a need for passing the Protect Illinois Communities Act immediately. Mass shootings using assault weapons result in nearly 22 times as many people wounded per incident on average. These excessively lethal weapons are capable of firing 30 rounds in 10 seconds and can hit bystanders one-quarter mile away. 18 to 20-year-olds commit gun homicides at triple the rate of adults 21 years or older, and current gun laws make it too easy for disturbed young people to access guns. The strength of our gun laws are undermined by weak laws in neighboring states, and we must empower the Illinois State Police to combat the influx of illegal guns into Illinois. Restricting who can access deadly weapons is crucial to protecting our communities.
