SPRINGFIELD (AP) – Gov. Bruce Rauner signed laws this week authorizing judges to take weapons away from people facing problems that make them dangerous to themselves or others and to extend the waiting period for delivery of newly purchased guns, but pledged to veto a third piece of legislation that would require state licensing of firearms dealers.
The Republican also called on the General Assembly to send him other measures to restrict gun violence, including a ban on fire-enhancing bump stocks. Those measures were part of a much-publicized gun-legislation package Rauner promoted in May. But he failed to mention the hallmark of that package — an election-year call to reinstate the death penalty for mass killers and those who gun down police officers.
Rauner signed a law that allows police officers, family members or others to petition a court to remove weapons from a person who is suffering from mental health or other problems and can be shown to pose a threat of violence. A judge could order removal of the weapons for as long as six months.