Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to sign gun marketing bill | Illinois National Guard public domain photo
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to sign gun marketing bill | Illinois National Guard public domain photo
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said on May 18 that he would sign House Bill 218, which holds gun sellers legally accountable for illegal marketing practices, including marketing to minors.
"Gun violence is a public health epidemic, and those who encourage unlawful use of a firearm or target sales of firearms to minors worsen the scourge of gun violence in our communities," Pritzker said in a press release.
The bill passed the state Senate on May 18 over Republican lawmakers' opposition.
The bill takes advantage of provisions in the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, enacted in 2005. That law exempts gun manufacturers from lawsuits arising from criminal misuse of their products but allows states to hold them liable if the manufacturer or seller is found to have violated state or federal laws regarding firearm sales or marketing.
Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) said the bill makes clear that the industry must comply with Illinois law, including a prohibition on marketing guns to anyone under 18. Before the Senate vote, he cited an advertising campaign by a manufacturer that promoted a "JR-15" rifle, a version of the AR-15 designed for minors. The ad touted it as "smaller, safer, and lighter."
"This legislation finally protects Illinoisans from predatory actions by the firearms industry," Pritzker said.
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