Vetoed by Governor Bruce Rauner

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires a state-level dealer's license and state-level background check to sell firearms in Illinois, effective January 1, 2019.

Highlights:

• Prohibits selling, leasing, or otherwise transferring firearms within the state of Illinois without first obtaining a state-level dealer’s license from the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Sec. 10).

• Requires state-level background checks to be conducted in addition to the federal background checks already in place (Sec. 10).

• Specifies that this new state-level license will be required even if an individual already has an owner’s identification card or a concealed carry permit from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (Sec. 10).

• Requires an individual to be at least 21 to qualify for a state-level license, and prohibits anyone without such license from working at any type of firearms dealership in the state (Secs. 50 and 75).

• Establishes a fine of up to $10,000 for any violation, which will be in addition to disciplinary action against the licensee, such as revoking or suspending their firearms license (Sec. 85).

• Classifies obtaining a license fraudulently as a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for any subsequent offense (Sec. 10).

• Authorizes the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to begin accepting applications for the state-level dealer’s license on January 1, 2019 (Sec. 30).

• Authorizes the Gun Dealer Licensing Board, which will consist of 5 members appointed by the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation, to amend the requirements of this bill at a later date (Secs. 20 and 25).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires a state-level dealer's license and state-level background check to sell firearms in Illinois, effective January 1, 2019.

Highlights:

• Prohibits selling, leasing, or otherwise transferring firearms within the state of Illinois without first obtaining a state-level dealer’s license from the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Sec. 10).

• Requires state-level background checks to be conducted in addition to the federal background checks already in place (Sec. 10).

• Specifies that this new state-level license will be required even if an individual already has an owner’s identification card or a concealed carry permit from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (Sec. 10).

• Requires an individual to be at least 21 to qualify for a state-level license, and prohibits anyone without such license from working at any type of firearms dealership in the state (Secs. 50 and 75).

• Establishes a fine of up to $10,000 for any violation, which will be in addition to disciplinary action against the licensee, such as revoking or suspending their firearms license (Sec. 85).

• Classifies obtaining a license fraudulently as a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for any subsequent offense (Sec. 10).

• Authorizes the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to begin accepting applications for the state-level dealer’s license on January 1, 2019 (Sec. 30).

• Authorizes the Gun Dealer Licensing Board, which will consist of 5 members appointed by the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation, to amend the requirements of this bill at a later date (Secs. 20 and 25).

Full Bill Text