Law targets adults who give kids guns

SPRINGFIELD -- If a child kills someone with a gun provided by an adult, that adult might also face the murder charges.

A proposal to change how an adult is charged in such murders committed by minors passed the Illinois House 107-0 Tuesday. It now moves on to the Senate for consideration.

Under current state law, if an adult gives a firearm to a juvenile, and that child murders someone, the adult could face three or more years in prison.

Hoping to target gang actions where adults use children to commit crimes, state Rep. Edward Acevedo wants adults responsible for the juvenile's access to a firearm to also be charged with murder, which could carry significantly more prison time.

"By no means does this take away a person's right to bear arms," said Acevedo, a Chicago Democrat and city police officer pushing the legislation. "We're just trying to hold people accountable."

The plan would target those adults who are not licensed to own a firearm. However, Acevedo said loopholes might still remain, such as if a child takes an adult's gun without consent.

State Rep. Dennis Reboletti, an Elmhurst Republican and former prosecutor, said he thinks the proposed law would help "send a message to the streets."

"We're talking about criminal activity. We're talking about gang members," Reboletti said. "Maybe that will send a message to the state that gang members are going down for the same crime."