How the Illinois Gun Dealer Licensing Act got as far as it has

By Andrew Shepperson

With the Illinois Gun Dealer Licensing Act still being considered in the Illinois House, gun rights advocates are left to question how and why the bill has got this far.
The measure — also known as Senate Bill 1657, sponsored by Democrat Sen. Don Harmon — would essentially mandate state licensing for all Illinois firearms dealers, who are currently only required to be licensed at the federal level.
Under the bill, dealers would have to undergo background checks and install security camera systems in stores. Documentation of each purchase will also be required, as would keeping copies of every customer’s firearm identification card.
Controversy arose around the bill in late April, after it was passed in the Illinois Senate on a 30-21 vote, when legislative records showed the Illinois Firearms Manufacturers Association and its lobbyist Jay Keller had dropped its opposition to the bill.
In exchange for the IFMA’s neutral stance, an amendment was added to the legislation that would exempt big box stores and firearms manufacturers from the measure. The two companies that the IFMA represented were Springfield Armory and Rock River Arms.
The initial reaction of the guns rights community was swift and fierce, with many saying the two companies had betrayed gun owners and calling for boycott’s

Source: Guns.com