HR1127 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1127 LRB100 22114 MST 40455 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Gun violence continues to plague the United States and devastate families, schools, workplaces, and communities; in 2016, 38,658 people died by firearms in the U.S., including 1,490 in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, 4,349 people were shot in Chicago in 2016, and 3,457 were shot in 2017, 625 of who were killed; and

WHEREAS, The recent sustained surge in mass shootings has further revealed the depth of the gun problem in the U.S.; since the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, over 400 people have been shot in over 200 school shootings nationwide; 2017 saw the most deadly mass shooting in U.S. history when 58 people were killed at a Las Vegas music festival; and

WHEREAS, In addition to efforts to enact gun control legislation at the local and federal levels, the private sector can also contribute to the effort to reduce gun violence in the United States; and

WHEREAS, In the wake of the Parkland shooting, a number of companies have taken steps to restrict gun sales: Dick's Sporting Goods raised the minimum age for gun sales to 21 and ceased sale of all assault-style riles; Walmart also raised its minimum age for gun sales to 21; and

WHEREAS, In New York State, the Comptroller has encouraged credit card and banking companies to consider reclassifying gun sales as high-risk sales, handling them as they would pornography or illicit drug purchases; this is yet another way that private companies can work to reduce the number of gun sales in Illinois and the United States; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Bank of America, and J.P. Morgan Chase to reclassify gun sales as high-risk and implement the appropriate precautions; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be sent to the Governor, and to the CEOs of Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Bank of America, and J.P. Morgan Chase.