Illinois Governor Signs Ban on Firearms Advertising in Effort to Curb Gun Violence
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has taken a significant step towards curbing gun violence in the state by signing a ban on firearms advertising that is deemed to be a public safety threat or appealing to children, militants, or others who may later use the weapons illegally. This move has opened the door for lawsuits against firearms manufacturers or distributors.
The Firearm Industry Responsibility Act, signed by Governor Pritzker, makes Illinois the eighth state to pass legislation that rolls back legal protections for firearms manufacturers or distributors. This decision comes in light of the deadliest six months of mass shootings in the United States since at least 2006, with almost all of them involving guns.
The bill was signed during the Gun Sense University conference, an annual training event organized by Everytown for Gun Safety, which brought together lawmakers, gun control advocates, and more than 2,000 Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers and survivors.
Under the new law, companies participating in depicting guns as tools for carnage will face serious penalties. This provision is part of ongoing efforts by Democratic lawmakers in Illinois and other states to address the issue of gun violence, which has been made more complex by the U.S. Supreme Court’s expansion of gun rights.
Governor Pritzker’s actions reflect his commitment to hold gun manufacturers accountable, stating, We hold opioid manufacturers accountable. Vaping companies accountable. Predatory lenders accountable. Gun manufacturers shouldn’t get to hide from the law — and now, they won’t be able to.
This ban on firearms advertising follows the signing of another significant gun control measure earlier this year, which banned semi-automatic weapons in Illinois. However, this law continues to face challenges from gun rights advocates in federal court.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul also commended Governor Pritzker for signing this legislation, emphasizing that it will protect consumers and enhance public safety.
By taking these steps, Illinois aims to tackle the issue of gun violence head-on and minimize the potential harm caused by firearms. Whether this ban on firearms advertising will yield the desired results remains to be seen, but it represents a pivotal moment in the state’s efforts to ensure public safety.
Illinois will soon outlaw advertising for firearms
Officials in Illinois have signed a ban on firearms advertising which they say poses a public safety threat or appeals to children, militants or others who might later use them illegally. The bill permits lawsuits against firearms manufacturers or distributors. It is the eighth state to roll back legal protections for the gun industry. It comes after the deadliest six months of mass shootings in the US since 2006, almost all of which involved guns. Earlier this year, Pritzker banned semi-automatic weapons, a law challenged by gun-rights groups in court.
