Advocacy Initiatives


UCAN is a member agency of the Illinois Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence Advisory Committee.  UCAN role's in this committee is to help advise the group on local and national approaches towards reasonable gun legislation and violence prevention strategies.  The Committee aims to ensure Illinois has sensible gun legislation in place to help make the streets safer for youth and families such as those whom UCAN serves. 

Two of the upcoming major Gun Bills that will be voted on in the House of Representatives are listed below; UCAN needs your help to ensure that Illinois enacts gun legislation that helps keep our youth and families safe.

1.  HB 0148 FIREARMS-CONCEALED CARRY 

Creates the Family and Personal Protection Act.  Permits the county sheriff to issue permits to carry concealed firearms to persons at least 21 years of age who meet certain requirements. Requires an applicant for a permit to have completed specified training requirements developed by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board consisting of classroom instruction and live firing exercises. Preempts home rule. Amends the Illinois Police Training Act and the Criminal Code of 1961 to make conforming changes. Effective immediately. 

  • If signed into law, gun owners will not be held accountable if the weapon they originally legally purchased ends up being used in a criminal or gun violence incident
  • In a state where crime and homicide rates are at some of the highest levels nationally, this legislation would only add to the challenge managing gun control. 
  • There have been many instances where individuals who live in conceal and carry states, used their weapon (legally owned) in mass shootings.  The gunman in the shooting of Arizona's Congresswoman Gilford, was a legal owner of a gun in a state where concealed and carry is legal.  Not only does this place the public at risk, but it places a major burden on law enforcement to increase officers on college campuses.
  • Last Action:  on 3/22/2011 the bill was sent to the rules committee
  • UCAN encourages you to contact your legislator and to ask him/her to vote NO

  

2.  HB 3140 PUBLIC SAFETY-FIREARM OWNERS IDENTIFICATION CARD

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act.  Provides that the Department of State Police may petition to revoke a Firearm Owner's Identification Card (FOID card) if the Department finds that the card holder is, or was at the time of issuance, a person whose mental condition was determined, following a complete evaluation by a psychiatrist or a physician pursuant to the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act, to pose a clear and present danger to the card holder, another person, or the community. 

  • If signed into law, citizens with a history of mental health issues will be forbidden to access a FOID card 
  • Last Action: on 3/17/2011 the bill was sent to the rules committee
  • UCAN encourages you to contact your legislator and to ask him/her to vote YES


For more information on how to get involved, please contact Fred Long at longf@ucanchicago.org and/or contact your elected official.  To find out who the legislators are in your community, visit http://www.elections.il.gov/districtlocator/districtofficialsearchbyaddress.aspx.  

To learn more about UCAN's comprehensive approach toward violence intervention services for schools and communities, please click here.  To view the results of our 2009 Annual Teen Gun Survey, please click here.
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