CHICAGO – State Senator Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) spoke on the Senate floor today in response to the horrific mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue late last month. Silverstein read the names of the victims and the Senate observed a moment of silence in honor of those killed in the shooting:

“On October 27, I was sitting in my synagogue when the president told me he needed to speak with me immediately. He informed me that he just heard there was a shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

“We did not know the extent of the carnage until after the Sabbath, when we could turn on the television and watch the news. This was the worst anti-Semitic attack in the United States, eleven people were killed and 7 were injured.

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SPRINGFIELD– Long-time gun safety advocate Senator Ira Silverstein spoke in the Senate today about his commitment to banning assault weapons in Illinois. House Bill 1465, which would stop those under 21 from purchasing assault weapons. It passed in the Senate this afternoon along with additional gun safety measures House Bill 1467 and 1468.

“Assault weapons have no place in our communities. Personally, I believe that means in the hands of those over 21 years of age as well,” Silverstein said. “All three bills we are considering today will almost certainly save lives. Assault weapons and bump stocks are nothing more than killing machines.”

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Yesterday, I sent a letter to the governor urging him to sign the Gun Dealer Licensing Act to stem the flood of illegal guns into our state.

Twenty-one percent of guns taken by Chicago police were sold in Indiana, and if they won’t tighten their own laws, we must act to protect our own people.

Click on the letter to read the whole thing.

SPRINGFIELD- Senator Ira I. Silverstein (D-Chicago) believes Illinois’ concealed carry licensing process can be strengthened by including an additional step: an extra measure of security gained through requiring local law enforcement review.

“At a time when we are talking about preventing weapons from getting into the hands of someone who may be a risk to public safety, himself or others, I believe it is reasonable to close this loophole in the licensing process,” Silverstein said. “If local law enforcement knows of no reason to deny the license, the applicant will be approved and the process completed.”

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