State of Illinois Archives: on Gun Control
Alan Keyes:
Gun control mentality means crooks have all the guns
KEYES: I am a strong believer in the second amendment. The gun control mentality is ruthlessly absurd. It suggests that we should pass a law that prevents law abiding citizens from carrying weapons. You end up with a situation where the crooks
have all the guns and the law abiding citizens cannot defend themselves. I guess that’s good enough for Senator Obama who voted against the bill that would have allowed homeowners to defend themselves if their homes were broken into.
OBAMA: Let’s be honest. Mr. Keyes does not believe in common gun control measures like the assault weapons bill. Mr. Keyes does not believe in any limits from what I can tell with respect to the possession of guns,
including assault weapons that have only one purpose, to kill people. I think it is a scandal that this president did not authorize a renewal of the assault weapons ban.
Source: Illinois Senate Debate #3: Barack Obama vs. Alan Keyes
Oct 21, 2004
Ameya Pawar:
Require gun liability insurance
We cannot make guns illegal, but we can reduce the number of illegally purchased guns on our streets. Ameya believes we should license gun dealers and have gun liability insurance to end illegal straw purchases and encourage responsible gun ownership.
Gun liability insurance would also provide victims of gun violence with fair compensation when crimes or accidents occur.
Source: 2018 Illinois Gubernatorial website pawar2018.com
Sep 1, 2017
Anne Stava-Murray:
Proactive legislation to crack down on reckless gun owners
We need to be addressing gun violence where someone who shouldn't have a gun uses said gun to take someone else's life. There are several types of legislation that can work to reduce this outcome, including but not limited to:
passing and enforcing gun dealer licensing, incentivizing local law enforcement to disarm individuals whose FOID card has been revoked, and creating proactive legislation to deal with the looming era of 3D printed guns.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times on 2020 Illinois Senatorial race
Oct 22, 2018
Anne Stava-Murray:
We can reduce number of gun-related suicides
Reducing gun-related violence is a critical issue.
Nearly three in five gun-related deaths are self-inflicted and there are solutions we can implement to reduce this number.
Source: Chicago Daily Herald on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Oct 22, 2018
Barack Obama:
Bush erred in failing to renew assault weapons ban
KEYES: [to Obama]: I am a strong believer in the second amendment. The gun control mentality is ruthlessly absurd. It suggests that we should pass a law that prevents law abiding citizens from carrying weapons. You end up with a situation where the crook
have all the guns and the law abiding citizens cannot defend themselves. I guess that’s good enough for Senator Obama who voted against the bill that would have allowed homeowners to defend themselves if their homes were broken into.
OBAMA: Let’s be honest. Mr. Keyes does not believe in common gun control measures like the assault weapons bill. Mr. Keyes does not believe in any limits from what I can tell with respect to the possession of guns,
including assault weapons that have only one purpose, to kill people. I think it is a scandal that this president did not authorize a renewal of the assault weapons ban.
Source: Illinois Senate Debate #3: Barack Obama vs. Alan Keyes
Oct 21, 2004
Bruce Rauner:
Crack down on out of state gun traffickers
Firearm traffickers in Illinois will be punished with sentences of up to 30 years in prison under legislation Gov. Bruce Rauner signed, a move aimed at curbing Chicago's rampant gun violence. The new law seeks to address criminals
skirting Illinois' strict gun policies by purchasing firearms in other states where little screening is required. Investigators say more than half of the firearms recovered in Illinois crime scenes are traced back to other states.
Source: Newton Daily News on 2018 Illinois gubernatorial race
Jul 17, 2017
Bruce Rauner:
Restrict access for criminals/mentally ill; ban bump stocks
Gun Control: Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?Pritzker: Yes. Gun violence is "a public health epidemic." Supports banning assault weapons, bump stocks, and high capacity magazines; requiring gun
licensing; and implementing universal background checks.
Rauner: Mixed. Supports some restrictions on access for criminals and the mentally ill, and ban of bump stocks. But vetoed bill on state licensing of gun sellers.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Illinois Governor race
Nov 1, 2018
Chris Kennedy:
Stricter gun laws in tandem with mental health care
Chris has called for an eight-point plan to combat gun violence including: reinvesting in high-risk communities and strengthening oversight of illegal gun access and unlawful gun use by licensing gun dealers, cracking down on "gun trains"
and creating a gun tracing program. He will support community-based diversion programs; fund and expand proven programs that reduce violence; and expand trauma and mental health care.
Source: 2018 Illinois Gubernatorial website KennedyForIllinois.com
Sep 1, 2017
Daniel Biss:
Support sensible gun laws
Daniel sponsored a bill requiring all gun dealers in Illinois to have a license; this is one of many policies addressing
gun violence by enforcing requirements that keep guns out of the wrong hands.
Source: 2018 Illinois Gubernatorial website DanielBiss.com
Sep 1, 2017
Darren Bailey:
Education is crucial for those opposed to gun rights
Darren is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and an advocate for the constitutional right to bear arms. In the Illinois State Senate, Darren voted against sweeping gun control legislation. Darren is an advocate on behalf of gun owners in
Illinois and believes that education is crucial for those opposed to gun rights. As an avid outdoorsman himself, he is a proud member of both the National Rifle Association and the Illinois State Rifle Association, as well as Guns Save Life.
Source: 2021 Gubernatorial campaign website BaileyForIllinois.com
May 30, 2021
J.B. Pritzker:
Supports 2nd Amendment AND the fight for gun safety
[On gun rights, Pritzker] admitted that his perspective on guns was colored by his suburban upbringing, and said conversations with his wife--raised in rural South Dakota--helped awaken his understanding of their importance for self-defense.
Pritzker said he's a Second Amendment supporter who believes "there are things we can do to fight for gun safety."
Source: Peoria Journal Star on 2018 Illinois gubernatorial race
Apr 27, 2017
J.B. Pritzker:
Enforce & enact commonsense gun laws
We will pay for the gun dealer licensing law that I was proud to sign during my first week in office, to take a reasonable step to end the scourge of gun violence in too many of our neighborhoods. We will take a more rigorous approach to getting guns
out of the hands of those who shouldn't have them in the first place. I'm committed to advocating for commonsense gun laws, and I'm committed to making sure that we are implementing the laws we already have on the books more effectively.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Illinois legislature
Feb 20, 2019
Kathy Salvi:
Favors some gun reform, but supports the NRA
Campaign manager Stephanie Hitt told the Sun-Times that Salvi "is the only solid conservative in this thing." Though Salvi's husband, Al, told the Sun-Times that Salvi wouldn't answer questions Tuesday,
Hitt said, "Kathy is a committed conservative who is pro-life. She also believes in limited government and reduced regulation .She believes in some measures of gun reform, but she is a supporter of the NRA."
Source: Chicago Sun Times on 2022 Illinois Senate race
Jun 28, 2022
Mark Curran:
Focus on mental health & video games, not guns
Curran, an opponent of abortion rights, was a longtime supporter of allowing concealed carry of firearms in Illinois. He was not opposed to universal background checks to purchase a firearm but contended issues involving mental health and video games
are more significant in dealing with gun violence than attempting to ban high-power weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. "There's a connection to the sanctity of life, that you could kill a baby in a partial-birth abortion," he said.
Source: Chicago Tribune on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Aug 7, 2019
Mark Curran:
Absent amendment, many proposed laws unconstitutional
Absent a Constitutional Amendment many proposed laws are not constitutional. However, I think it is important to get guns out of the hands of mentally ill and dangerous individuals. This type of legislation cannot be vague, nor can it be arbitrarily
applied as many proposed Red Flag laws currently read. I would support and help draft legislation directed at the mentally ill as well as dangerous.
Source: Chicago Sun Times on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Jan 22, 2020
Mark Kirk:
Both major-party Senate candidates support gun restrictions
Q: On Gun Control: Support more restrictive gun control legislation?
Duckworth: Yes
Kirk: Yes
Source: CampusElect Voter Guide to 2016 Illinois Senate race
Oct 9, 2016
Mike Bost:
More enforcement on laws on purchase and possession of guns
Bost indicates support of the following principles concerning gun issues.
- Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
Source: 2000 Illinois National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2000
Mike Bost:
Right to bear arms must be preserved and defended
Guaranteeing 2nd Amendment Rights: We have a constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms and it must be preserved and defended at all levels of government.
Just as he has done as a member of the Illinois legislator, Mike will be a strong advocate for the 2nd Amendment.
Source: 2014 Illinois House campaign website, BostForCongress.com
Nov 4, 2014
Napoleon Harris:
No concealed carry on private property, unless posted
Senator Harris co-sponsored legislation SB1313: Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that a person shall not carry a concealed firearm onto private real property of any type without prior permission
from the property owner. Provides that a real property owner shall indicate permission to carry concealed firearms onto the property by clearly and conspicuously posting a sign at the entrance of a building, premises,
or real property under his or her control, except this posting is not required if the property is a private residence.
Provides that the sign shall be at least 4 inches by 6 inches in size (rather than exactly that size). Effective immediately.
Source: VoteSmart synopsis of 2015-2016 Illinois voting record
Nov 1, 2015
Napoleon Harris:
Ban 3D-printed handguns for personal use
Senator Harris co-sponsored legislation SB1379: Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of unlawful use of a three-dimensional printer to create a firearm. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she knowingly
uses a three-dimensional printer to create a fully functioning firearm. Adds exemptions for:- a person who possesses a license to manufacture firearms under the federal Gun Control Act of 1968;
- a person who is actually engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling any piece or part of a firearm, but only with respect to the activities which are within the lawful scope of that business; or
- a person who uses a three-dimensional
printer to create a prototype of a firearm.
Adds definitions of "prototype" and "three-dimensional printer". Provides that a violation is a Class A misdemeanor.
Source: VoteSmart synopsis of 2015-2016 Illinois voting record
Nov 1, 2015
Pat Quinn:
Comprehensive plan for gun safety & violence prevention
Last December, our hearts broke along with the parents of the children who died in the horrific massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. In the Old Testament, the prophet Jeremiah wept day and night for the slain of his people. But as elected officials, we're
in a position to do something about it. We must move forward with a comprehensive plan that includes gun safety legislation, mental health care, and violence prevention strategies. - We must prohibit the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity
ammunition magazines in Illinois.
- Of course, we must abide with the second amendment. But there is no place in our state for military-style assault weapons designed for rapid fire at human targets at close range.
- We must ensure that guns are kept
out of everyday public places, because guns don't belong in our schools, shopping malls, or sports stadiums.
- We must empower our law enforcement to keep guns from falling into the wrong hands. That means we need reliable mental health records.
Source: 2013 State of the State speech to Illinois Legislature
Feb 6, 2013
Paul Schimpf:
Sponsored bill expanding apprentice hunting program
Illinois lawmakers have approved a measure to make it easier for aspiring hunters to learn the ropes of the sport while offering more opportunities to harvest deer. "Youth and apprentice hunting programs have proven to increase participation and help
grow the next generation of hunters," said state Sen.Paul Schimpf, a sponsor of the measure. "A strong field of hunters is essential for maintaining the state deer herd at appropriate levels and is a major economic engine for Illinois."
Source: Guns.com blog on 2022 Illinois Gubernatorial race
Jun 7, 2019
Peggy Hubbard:
Guns save lives; I will defend our Second Amendment rights
Guns save lives, but many on the extreme left are out to eliminate our Constitutional right to keep and bear arms. This is unacceptable and extremely dangerous. Restricting the gun rights of law-abiding citizens has had a disastrous impact in Illinois.
I will defend our Second Amendment rights oppose all efforts to infringe on the rights of law-abiding citizens and their ability to protect themselves and their families.
Source: 2022 Illinois Senate website PeggyHubbardForSenate.com
Apr 19, 2022
Peggy Hubbard:
2nd amendment about single mother defending herself & family
I believe in background checks and reasonable laws that do not impede the rights of law-abiding citizens. I'm running to defend our Second Amendment and the rest of the Bill of Rights. To me, this isn't about hunting or a high-minded
Constitutional debate. It's about making sure a single mother living in the projects, surrounded by gang bangers, can defend herself and her family.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times on 2022 Illinois Senate race
Jan 29, 2020
Raja Krishnamoorthi:
Common-sense gun laws, plus fund gun research
Raja supports common-sense gun laws to keep guns out of the wrong hands and reduce the epidemic of mass shootings that are occurring across the U.S. Among the measures he supports are closing the "gun-show loophole" by extending background
checks for gun purchases to gun shows; reinstating the expired federal ban on assault weapons; and improving the reporting system to help keep guns out of the hands of terrorists, convicted felons, and those with severe mental illnesses.
Raja would also allow the government to fund research on gun deaths and gun safety.
Too many young people are dying from an epidemic of gun violence, and we must do what we can do protect the public from guns in the hands of those who would seek to do harm.
Source: 2016 Illinois House campaign website RajaForCongress.com
Nov 8, 2016
Raja Krishnamoorthi:
Expanded real-time background checks
The challenge to our nation is to respond to the threat of international terrorism without sacrificing American values. Here at home, Raja knows we must redouble our efforts to identify and stop those individuals who have been radicalized and intend
to commit terrorist acts. That starts with keeping weapons out of their hands through expanded background checks that work in real time, as well as banning the purchase or possession of guns by individuals on the no-fly, terrorist watch list.
Source: 2016 Illinois House campaign website RajaForCongress.com
Nov 8, 2016
Richard Durbin:
Endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety for gun-sense majority
Everytown for Gun Safety threw its support behind 11 Democratic Senate candidates including incumbent Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin (IL). "Everytown is going all-in to flip the Senate and elect leaders who will treat America's gun violence epidemic
like the crisis it is," the Everytown President said. The group has targeted a number of key races in the House and Senate, emphasizing the need to protect what it calls a "gun sense majority," which is mostly comprised of Democratic candidates.
Source: The Hill e-zine on 2020 Illinois Senate endorsements
Jun 9, 2020
Richard Irvin:
Supports background checks; fix Firearm Owners ID system
Irvin was in office in February 2019 when a gunman killed five people and himself at a manufacturing plant in Aurora. He cited this experience as an influence on his views on gun control. Irvin suggested that the FOID system in Illinois needs reform in
order to function. "The system is broken and it definitely needs fixed," said Irvin. "But we need background checks to ensure that guns don't get in the hands of criminals and folks with mental illnesses."
Source: State Journal-Register on 2022 Illinois Gubernatorial race
May 25, 2022
Sharon Hansen:
Don't bow down to money instead of our rights
Both Illinois Senators Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk refused to join 50 US Senators that signed a letter last week opposing ratification of the UN Arms Trade Treaty. In order for this treaty to be ratified, it would need 60 of the 100 votes in the Senate.
Those signing onto the letter include every Republican senator but Senator Kirk.This fall, the Obama administration signed the UN Arms Trade Treaty, which would effectively undermine 2nd Amendment rights, place international law on a pedestal
above the US Constitution and encourage the creation of a national gun registry.
Sharon Hansen commented: I am challenging Durbin in 2014. I won't run as a Democrat or a Republican. Both parties are dirty. I'm running as a Libertarian. If I don't win
against Durbin, I'll run in 2016 against Kirk, unless another Libertarian wants to run. We have to get these people out who bow down to money instead of the rights of the people given to us by our Creator and our Constitution.
Source: Illinois Review on 2014 Illinois Senate race
Oct 22, 2013
Sharon Hansen:
Opposes more gun restrictions
Question topic: More restrictive gun control laws are needed now to protect public safety.
Hansen: Strongly Disagree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Illinois Senate race
Sep 30, 2014
J.B. Pritzker:
We need to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines
The challenge is that, for red flag laws to work, family members had to step forward and sign an affidavit, go to court, do something to make an affirmative action, so that those red flag laws would actually go into effect. They didn't.
The police were there. They confiscated weapons but the father claimed that the son was simply storing them for him. So there were warning signs, but nothing that reached the probable cause or preponderance of the evidence required for there to be a
red flag.We need to ban assault weapons, not just in the state of Illinois, but nationally, and high-capacity magazines. There's no reason why someone should have 90 bullets at the ready. That's just something that I don't think civilians should
have. I have talked to police who would tell you that the size, the caliber of the bullets that were being fired is much larger than the size, caliber and speed of bullets that even police carry with them. Why do civilians need this?
Source: CNN SOTU interviews on 2022 Illinois Gubernatorial race
Aug 7, 2022
Kathy Salvi:
Implement laws on the books before any new laws
[Democratic Sen. Tammy] Duckworth said she supports reinstating a ban on what have been called assault rifles and instituting a ban on high-capacity bullet magazines, saying she's heard from law enforcement the "common denominators in mass shootings are
an assault weapon and a high-capacity magazine." She argued Salvi would never vote in any way to curb access to firearms because of her "A rating" from the National Rifle Association. Duckworth received an F from the gun lobbying group.
Salvi wouldn't directly say if she would vote to reinstate what's called an assault weapons ban. She said local, state and federal Democrats failed to follow existing laws, and that has led to an increase in crime. "Before we consider passing any new
and additional laws, we should let the laws that are on the book be implemented and employed," Salvi said. "The only thing holding us back in this state is poor single-party government, and it's hurting; it's crushing us here."
Source: Crain's Chicago Business on 2022 Illinois Senate race
Oct 3, 2022
Tammy Duckworth:
Ban assault rifles and high-capacity magazines
Duckworth said she supports reinstating a ban on what have been called assault rifles and instituting a ban on high-capacity bullet magazines, saying she's heard from law enforcement the "common denominators in mass shootings are an assault weapon and a
high-capacity magazine." She argued [GOP opponent Kathy] Salvi would never vote in any way to curb access to firearms because of her "A rating" from the National Rifle Association. Duckworth received an F from the gun lobbying group.
Duckworth, a retired Army helicopter pilot who lost her legs when she was shot down in Iraq in 2004, said current laws don't do enough to curb gun violence. "I carried an
M16 for 23 years in the military," she said. "I know what those weapons are supposed to do. They are supposed to shred a human body. They don't belong on the streets."
Source: Crain's Chicago Business on 2022 Illinois Senate race
Oct 3, 2022
Juliana Stratton:
We must enact common sense gun laws, stricter policies
As we struggle to process all that is happening today, we must again say ENOUGH. There are too many guns on our streets and we must enact common sense gun laws, stricter policies, and put resources in place to build the safe, healthy communities
everyone deserves. Today we mourn with the people of Highland Park, and we make it clear that we see them and all who are impacted by gun violence in our state by remaining committed to healing from such immense pain.
Source: The Chicagoland Journal on 2026 Illinois Senate race
Jul 4, 2022
Robin Kelly:
Hold gun dealers accountable for sales to straw purchasers
For Robin, it's never been about splashy headlines--it's about putting her head down and doing the work. She wrote legislation with then-state Senator Barack Obama to hold gun dealers accountable for illegal sales to straw purchasers.
She led a sit-in on the House floor to protest inaction on gun violence, and co-sponsored historic legislation protecting victims of domestic violence.
Source: 2026 Illinois Senate campaign website RobinForSenate.com
Jun 26, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026