Dupage Policy Journal

Sen. Chris Nybo (R-Elmhurst) recently stood with Democratic lawmakers in Springfield in support of legislation that Second Amendment advocates warn would put hundreds of independent gun dealers across the state out of business.

“This is a way for the state to get its meat hooks on gun dealers and force them to shut down,” Todd Vandermyde, executive director of the Federal Firearms Licensees of Illinois, said May 16 on “Chicago’s Morning Answer” radio show.

Vandermyde also said that it was “disheartening” to see Nybo and other Republicans side with the Democrats especially after Gov. Bruce Rauner had vetoed another version of the bill this year. Republican Sens. John Curran of Downers Grove and Tom Rooney of Rolling Meadows, and Republican Rep. David Olsen of Downers Grove appeared in support of the bill as well.

Todd Vandermyde

“It’s like the movie 'Friday the 13th,'” Vandermyde said of the bill. “It keeps getting resurrected.”

An amendment to SB 337 would require gun dealers to pay up to $1,500 to become certified by the Illinois State Police.

Vandermyde said dealers are already licensed by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and are required by law to comply with its safety rules.

A state law would only add another level of bureaucracy and cost on the dealers, and give the State Police unbridled enforcement authority, he said.

“If this bill passes, everyone will be buying their guns from Walmart and Dick’s,” he said.

The National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legal Action also chimed in on the bill: “While the purported intent of this legislation was to enhance ‘responsible business practices,’ these bills only prove that the intention is to close as many federally licensed firearm dealers (FFLs) as possible. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) licenses and closely monitors all FFLs and strictly enforces any violation of federal law.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee adopted the gun dealer amendment to SB 337 on May 15. Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) sponsored it.