Letter to Bruce Rauner, Governor of Illinois - Closing the Loophole Allowing Suspected Terrorists to Purchase Guns

Letter

Dear Governor Rauner,

The recent attacks in Paris, Colorado Springs and San Bernardino have highlighted the vulnerability of our communities to acts of terror perpetrated with firearms. These mass killings have given new urgency to the need to close dangerous loopholes in our laws that allow known or suspected terrorists to buy guns. I am working to pass legislation to close this "terror gap" on a federal level, but prompt action should also be taken in Illinois to prevent known or suspected terrorists from using a FOID (Firearm Owner's Identification) card to buy guns. I urge you to do all within your power to close the "terror gap" on the state level in Illinois.

Gun owners and non-gun owners alike agree that keeping guns out of the hands of known and suspected terrorists is common sense. This can also be done consistent with the U.S. and Illinois Constitutions and our commitment to due process. Federal "terror gap" legislation contains significant procedural protections to ensure that any person mistakenly included on a prohibited gun buyer list can challenge that listing both administratively and in court and be removed from the list. With these protections in place, a person mistakenly included on the list would only experience the temporary inconvenience of a delay in buying a gun while it is confirmed that the person is not involved in terrorist activity. Similar protections can be applied on the state level.

You and I agree on the need to keep Illinoisans safe from acts of terror, and I hope we can work to swiftly close the "terror gap" on both the state and federal levels. Addressing this vulnerability will make our communities safer.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

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