Illinois Takes Action on Background Check Records After Virginia Tech

According to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence in a recent press release, Illinois is the next state to look into their current measure for background checks in behalf of the tragedy that occurred at Virginia Tech.

After the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech, states are scrambling to improve their background checks after it was realized that the incident at Virginia Tech. Could have been avoided if their was not a "loophole" in Virginia regarding background checks. Apparently in Virginia at the time, though the shooter had a record of mental instability and was even ruled as a threat by a judge, he was still able to purchase a gun which he killed 32 people with prior to the tragedy.

With this information, Illinois had also recognized a "loophole" quite similar to this and is working to get the problem fixed before another tragedy takes place. Shared with the National Instant Check System (NICS,) Illinois's governor Blagojevich has signed a new agreement the requires that all court records must be shared with this check system for prohibited gun purchases. This agreement will close Illinois's loophole, and similar laws have been signed in both Virginia and Missouri already with the same point.

"Loopholes that allow dangerous people to buy guns need to be closed quickly. Governor Blagojevich, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, State Senator Dan Kotowski, and State Representative Henry Osterman should be commended for leading the way in Illinois," said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign. "We make it too easy in this country for dangerous people to get guns. We saw that at Virginia Tech, and we see it every day."

So what is the point of this new bill? Now when people are considered to be able to purchase guns in the state of Illinois, they will still be checked on by the National Instant Check System, which will continue to check on them as well as research their past. This bill has had much support in both houses of the Illinois legislature. The bill was sponsored by Osterman and Kotowski, as well as initiated by Attorney General Madigan.