Illinois Governor To Veto Gun Retailer Licensing Bill

In this Monday, Feb. 26, 2017, file photo, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court, in Washington. Gov. Rauner plans to veto legislation that would require gun retailers to be licensed by the state of Illinois. Rauner spokeswoman Rachel Bold says the governor will veto the measure Tuesday, March 13, 2018, a week before the state’s primary election in which the Republican faces a challenge from state Rep. Jeanne Ives. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel backed the measure. He says Rauner is putting the primary election ahead of his responsibility for public safety. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
In this Monday, Feb. 26, 2017, file photo, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court, in Washington. Gov. Rauner plans to veto legislation that would require gun retailers to be licensed by the state of Illinois. Rauner spokeswoman Rachel Bold says the governor will veto the measure Tuesday, March 13, 2018, a week before the state's primary election in which the Republican faces a challenge from state Rep. Jeanne Ives. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel backed the measure. He says Rauner is putting the primary election ahead of his responsibility for public safety. Jacquelyn Martin/AP, file
In this Monday, Feb. 26, 2017, file photo, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court, in Washington. Gov. Rauner plans to veto legislation that would require gun retailers to be licensed by the state of Illinois. Rauner spokeswoman Rachel Bold says the governor will veto the measure Tuesday, March 13, 2018, a week before the state’s primary election in which the Republican faces a challenge from state Rep. Jeanne Ives. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel backed the measure. He says Rauner is putting the primary election ahead of his responsibility for public safety. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
In this Monday, Feb. 26, 2017, file photo, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court, in Washington. Gov. Rauner plans to veto legislation that would require gun retailers to be licensed by the state of Illinois. Rauner spokeswoman Rachel Bold says the governor will veto the measure Tuesday, March 13, 2018, a week before the state's primary election in which the Republican faces a challenge from state Rep. Jeanne Ives. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel backed the measure. He says Rauner is putting the primary election ahead of his responsibility for public safety. Jacquelyn Martin/AP, file

Illinois Governor To Veto Gun Retailer Licensing Bill

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. Bruce Rauner plans to veto legislation Tuesday that would require gun retailers to be licensed by the state of Illinois, his spokeswoman Rachel Bold said.

Rauner told WJPF radio in southern Illinois on Tuesday morning that the legislation is an “unnecessary, burdensome regulation.”

The veto comes a week before the state’s primary election in which the Republican faces a challenge from state Rep. Jeanne Ives. The Democratic-controlled General Assembly passed the measure about two weeks ago. Rauner has 60 days to take action on it.

The bill has the backing of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson. On Tuesday, Emanuel called Rauner’s veto “a slap in the face to crime victims, faith leaders and police” who pleaded with him to sign the legislation.

“With one week left in his campaign, Governor Rauner just put his primary election ahead of his primary responsibility to protect the safety of the people of Chicago and Illinois,” Emanuel said in a statement. “The governor’s decision was cruel, it was cold and it was calculated to benefit his own politics at the expense of public safety.”

The bill would require the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to collect $1,000 from each dealer for a five-year license. It would require training of employees and videotaping in “critical areas” of the business.

The sponsor, Addison Democratic Rep. Kathleen Willis, has said that state oversight would identify and eliminate the practice of straw purchasers buying guns legally and then selling them to criminals.

But opponents noted that the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives already licenses gun dealers and its audits are time-intensive and expensive.