GunsReducing Illinois gun violence

Published 22 February 2019

Illinois could reduce the number of people killed each year by gun violence by implementing ten policies supported by available research, according to a new report. The Johns Hopkins report identifies weaknesses or gaps in current Illinois law and offers recommendations to reduce gun violence.

Green line shows violence in Illinois violence far exceeds national levels // Source: law.marquette.edu

Illinois could reduce the number of people killed each year by gun violence by implementing ten policies supported by available research, according to a new report authored by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research. The center is based at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The recommended policies include strengthening the state’s gun purchaser licensing system by requiring an in-person application to law enforcement, fingerprinting and safety training. New data in this report suggest that purchaser licensing is more effective in reducing firearm homicides when these systems require in-person applications with law enforcement agencies.

The report also recommends expanding current firearm prohibitions for domestic abusers and individuals convicted of multiple alcohol-related offenses, and providing more funding for local initiatives proven to reduce gun violence.

The report, Policy Analysis, and Recommendations,” Center for Gun Policy and Research, was commissioned by the Joyce Foundation.

“Compared to many other states, Illinois has relatively strong firearm laws overall, yet many opportunities exist for the state to strengthen their approach to reducing the diversion of guns for criminal use and gun violence,” says the report’s lead author, Cassandra Crifasi, PhD, MPH, deputy director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research. “Importantly, the policies and strategies outlined in this report are applicable to other states considering evidence-based approaches to reduce firearm homicide and suicide and don’t infringe upon the rights of law-abiding gun owners.”

Johns Hopkins notes that currently, Illinois is one of nine states that requires individuals to obtain a license or permit from law enforcement—called a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) in Illinois—to acquire a handgun. Previous research from the report authors found that handgun purchaser licensing is effective at reducing gun homicides, suicides and shootings of law enforcement officers.