Gun control advocates said Sunday’s massacre in Las Vegas could add traction for an Illinois bill that would require gun dealers to have a state license.

The measure has been stuck in the Illinois House since narrowly passing the Senate in April.

“I hope legislators are paying attention [and] see the link between these mass shootings and the gun violence in Chicago,” Lindsay Nichols, federal policy director of the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, said on Tuesday.

• RELATED STORY

Las Vegas Massacre Prompts Musician To Call For Gun Control: ‘Enough Is Enough’

read more

“There’s been a significant amount of research that shows that stronger regulation of gun dealers reduces gun trafficking,” said Nichols, who helped write the bill. “More recently, there’s been research that shows a direct link between strong laws regarding gun dealers and gun homicide rates.”

The bill’s House sponsor, Kathleen Willis (D-Addison), said the measure will go to the floor of that chamber for a vote as soon as she has “just a couple more” lawmakers behind it. Willis said the Las Vegas shooting could help build that support.

Opponents argue gun shops are already regulated by the federal government.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Bruce Rauner on Tuesday did not return messages asking whether he would sign the bill.