West Cook News

A bill proposed by Illinois State Rep. Kathleen Willis (D-Northlake) would bar Illinoisans who have attempted suicide or been accused of assaulting others from legally buying guns in the state.

Willis and 13 other Illinois House members sponsored the bill, dated July 8, that would amend the Illinois Firearm Owners Identification Card Act, which governs how Illinois residents can buy guns legally from retailers.

On the Illinois General Assembly web site, a bill synopsis says that the measure "provides that a minor who causes or attempts to cause physical self-harm or harm to another is subject to the denial of an application for or the revocation and seizure of a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card."

"(The Measure) provides that until the age of 24 years, such a person is presumed to be a person whose mental condition is of such a nature that it poses a clear and present danger. Provides that a physician, clinical psychologist, qualified examiner, law enforcement official, school administrator, or other person who has knowledge of a minor causing or attempting to cause physical self-harm or harm to another shall report the incident to the Department of Human Services. Effective immediately,” the bill’s text reads.

Another bill sponsor, State Rep. Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park), told NBC 5 Chicago she believes the bill will address "a loophole" in the state's so-called Red Flag Laws, which already allow judges to remove guns from the homes of "individuals who are a potential danger to themselves or others." 



“This will give us that added layer of protection, and kind of close a loophole within the Red Flag Law and hopefully make some difference while we try to figure out socially what is happening in our country,” Conroy said. 

Illinois Democrat House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Westchester) himself was accused of assaulting another person in 2002.

Hillside police named Welch in a 2002 police report describing an alleged domestic battery by Welch of his girlfriend at the time. 

Welch, now 51, was 31 at the time of the Hillside police report.

It described a brutal assault by  Welch of his girlfriend, stating he “grabbed her hair with both hands while in the kitchen and proceeded to slam her head backwards several times on the countertop.”

From the police report: 

"I explained to (name redacted) once again what would be done now that Welch was in custody and she again reiterated that she wanted Welch charged with both counts of domestic battery and unlawful restraint."

The move to limit FOID cards comes after the shooting perpetrated by Robert Crimo, Jr. in Highland Park, in which seven were killed and 40 others were injured.

Leftist activists in Illinois are leading a movement to banning certain types of guns following the Highland Park shooting.