A shooting at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, has made some draw comparisons to the Highland Park shooting, where a gunman opened fire on the July 4 parade, killing at least six and injuring 24.
For some time, there have been debates about gun control laws in the state and country. This has already been a hotly discussed topic in the wake of the Robb Elementary School shooting at Uvalde, Texas, where 19 children and two adults were killed.
However, Illinois has some of the strongest gun laws in the nation. It ranks sixth in terms of gun safety laws, and ninth-lowest in terms of gun ownership.
Also Read | Was the Highland Park shooter at July 4 parade a sniper
The state has laws requiring background checks for all gun sales and an Extreme Risk law or “Red Flag” law in place. There are also laws to keep guns away from domestic abusers. The Firearm Owners Identification Card issued by the Illinois police ideally has to be renewed every 10 years, but it is often not followed through.
The FOID permit is needed to own a firearm, and to purchase guns and ammunition. This law, however, does not require prior training before purchasing a gun. Illinois residents who want a concealed weapon carry permit must meet the FOID requirements and complete 16 hours of training successfully, including classroom and range instruction.
Illinois also became the first midwestern state to ban ghost guns or untraceable weapons.
Also Read | Highland Park shooting: Which July 4 parades stand cancelled
While Illinois is a leader among states when it comes to enacting laws on gun violence prevention, the state witnesses a high level of gun violence which comes close to the national average.
Everytown, a gun safety site, notes that 1,505 people die of gun violence, in Illinois each year.
Illinois, notably, is surrounded by states where gun control laws are much laxer, and a large share of guns recovered in Illinois are originally bought out of state, especially in Indiana, which lies just across the border from Chicago.
