Durbin a strong foe of gangs with guns

A recent letter to the editor blasted Senator Durbin for ignoring gang violence in Chicago ("Solve gang violence first, Sen. Durbin," Aug. 7).

I couldn't disagree more. The senator has been consistent in his words and actions to end gun violence on Chicago streets. Many guns recovered from Chicago crime scenes - often the result of gang activity - originate from out of state. According to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, nearly half of the guns recovered from crime scenes in Chicago last year were purchased outside the state.

Gang members know where they can buy guns without a background check. In Mississippi, for example, anyone can show up at a gun show or go online and buy a gun - no matter if he has a milelong rap sheet - since a check is not done for criminal record. Durbin has long supported expanding background checks to gun sales nationwide. Mandatory background checks on gun transactions will prevent criminals from buying them.

In 2013, Senator Durbin introduced the Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act. The Act makes the practice of "straw purchasing," or the illegal purchasing of a gun for someone barred from buying firearms, a federal crime. Durbin's efforts to make straw purchasing a federal crime would drastically cut down on the flow of firearms from out of state into gangbanger hands.

Senator Durbin has been steady in his commitment and actions to stop gang violence in Chicago by choking gang access to guns.

Andrea Bradshaw

Cary