Dupage Policy Journal

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) stayed true to her long-expressed gun rights views in assessing a pair of recent actions taken by Gov. Bruce Rauner.

“What is wrong about the current approach to gun laws are they focus on regulating lawful gun owners instead of rooting out the illegal gun owners through tougher enforcement when caught with illegal guns and longer sentences,” Ives told the DuPage Policy Journal. “We have enough laws on the books for preventing unlawful purchase and possession of guns. Illegal gun use is what needs to be the focus of law enforcement, prosecutors, the courts, and any new legislation.”

Ives took exception with Rauner signing House Bill 2354, also known as the “red flag” bill, into law. The legislation paves the way for firearms to be taken away from people thought to pose a threat to themselves or others.

“I voted against the restraining order bill,” she said. “It will be a cumbersome law to enforce and close family and friends should take guns away from those close to them that they feel may harm themselves or others without the court stepping in.”

Meanwhile, Ives said she agrees with Rauner’s decision to veto a proposal requiring state regulation of gun dealers. Rauner reasoned the legislation would impose hardships on small businesses owners while not proving much value to society in terms of curbing gun violence. 

“The veto on the gun shop bill is an easy decision,” Ives said. “Gun dealers are already heavily regulated by the federal government and Illinois does not have the resources to inspect gun shops for additional state oversight especially when it will yield little-to-no additional public safety. The bad guys get the guns illegally regardless of our gun-dealer laws already.”

At a press conference in Chicago to mark the two actions, Rauner also announced the signing of Senate Bill 3256, which imposes a 72-hour waiting period to purchase all guns, not just handguns.