IL Rifle Association Sues State Over Gun Licensing Law

ILLINOIS — An Illinois pro-gun group is suing the state over a new law which requires federally licensed gun dealers to be licensed in the state as well. The Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) said in a release that the "terrible" law targets the firearms industry.

According to the law, each federally licensed gun dealer "shall file with the Department of State Police a copy of its license, together with a sworn affidavit indicating that the license presented is in fact its license and that the license is valid," the new law says.

Illinois is the 16th state to establish its own certification for firearm dealers in an effort to reduce the amount of illegal guns on the street.

The ISRA's claim is that the bill "should have died in the 100th General Assembly," as legislators held it back from former Gov. Bruce Rauner knowing he would veto it.

See more on Patch:

• Gun Dealer Licensing Bill Signed Into Law By Gov. J.B. Pritzker
• Illinois Gun Dealer Licensing Laws Now Among Strictest In Nation
• Gov. Bruce Rauner Vetoes Gun Dealer Licensing Bill

See the full text of the gun dealer licensing law here.

A "certified licensee operating without a retail location," must pay up to a $300 licensing fee, and dealers with a retail location must pay a fee of up to $1,500.

The bill, SB0337, passed both houses in the General Assembly on Jan. 8, 2019. On Jan. 18, 2019, Gov. Pritzker signed the bill into law.

A similar bill, SB1657, was vetoed by former Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2018.

The release from the ISRA said Illinois has 2,351 federally licensed gun dealers, 1,211 of which haven't yet obtained state licenses.