Springfield – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued the following statement applauding President Joe Biden’s executive order intended to increase the number of background checks conducted prior to sales of firearms.
“I commend President Biden’s action to increase the number of background checks conducted before firearms purchases, which the majority of Americans support as a commonsense means of preventing dangerous individuals from purchasing firearms. The president’s order also encourages the Federal Trade Commission to analyze how gun manufacturers market firearms to minors and to all civilians. I am pleased to see the federal government take action that is in line with what we are doing at the state level to protect communities from gun violence.
“In Illinois, I am initiating the Firearms Industry Responsibility Act, which I urge members of the General Assembly to support. The Firearms Industry Responsibility Act, or FIRA, will make clear that the Attorney General’s office can use Illinois’ Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to take enforcement action against firearms dealers and manufacturers that engage in dangerous sales and marketing practices. We are talking about sales and marketing practices that are dangerous and harmful to the public, that unlawfully advertise in a manner appealing to children, or that encourage unlawful militia activity. FIRA would amend the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to clarify that such actions are violations of the law for which our office can seek monetary and injunctive relief.
“The Attorney General’s office regularly uses the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to hold businesses and individuals accountable for unfair and unlawful conduct that defrauds or misleads the people of Illinois. We have successfully used the law to establish industry-wide reforms, and hold opioid and e-cigarette manufacturers accountable for unlawful practices that have jeopardized the health and wellness of Illinois residents and their children. I am calling on the Legislature to pass the Firearms Industry Responsibility Act to clarify that our office can use that same authority to protect Illinois residents from the trauma of gun violence.”
