Link to original article in the Champaign News-Gazette here
Written by Anthony Zilis 12/26/2018
With the new year just about here, News-Gazette Media’s ANTHONY ZILIS this week will spotlight four of the 200-plus of laws set to change statewide in 2019.
FIRST UP: SB 3256, which mandates a 72-hour waiting period for all firearm purchases.
WHAT CHANGES?
The purchase of handguns already required a 72-hour wait. This new legislation extends what’s now a 24-hour waiting period for all other firearms to 72.
“I play hockey with a lot of Second Amendment guys,” said state Rep. JONATHAN CARROLL, D-Buffalo Grove, who crafted the legislation. “They all agree, ‘Look, if I’m going to buy a gun, if it takes us an extra two days to get it it’s not the end of the world.’ We’ll still get what we need but waiting around for an extra day or two isn’t restricting their ability to own firearms.”
The current gun show exemption for non-Illinois residents will also be eliminated. Stun guns and Tasers will retain the 24-hour waiting period.
WHO BENEFITS?
Theoretically, the people who are most affected will be the ones that benefit the most, because one of the law’s main purposes is to curb suicide.
“If you’re someone who needs a firearm that desperately,” Carroll said, “we probably do want you to take a few minutes to think about what it is that you’re planning on doing with it.
“There have been studies done that show that the cool-down periods actually do help with curbing gun violence,” Carroll added. “In that moment of passion, if you have access to a firearm, you might be more likely to cause harm to yourself and others.”
WHY NOW?
The time for bipartisan gun legislation in Illinois seems to be right. After an amendatory veto that included re-implementing the death penalty for those who kill police officers or are responsible for mass shootings, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the bill into law.
“It’s not infringing on anybody’s rights,” Carroll said. “It’s opening the conversation to reasonable gun reform that will allow people to stay safe. It’s about a public safety situation.”
