Arlington Heights board sends letter urging tighter gun control
Arlington Heights' village board sent a letter Tuesday to the governor and state legislature calling for stronger gun control legislation - prompted by advocates who requested the mayor and trustees' support last week.
The one-page letter, signed by Mayor Tom Hayes, asks lawmakers to "enact additional reasonable, responsible, and enforceable common-sense gun control legislation." According to the letter, those measures include stronger regulation of gun dealers to prevent the sale of firearms to those who can't lawfully purchase them and reduce theft from poorly-secured shops; tougher background checks; banning "bump stocks;" and legislation that increases the accountability of gun owners.
"The village board of Arlington Heights does not have a general history of weighing in on federal or state matters that do not relate directly to our village government's own mandates or duties," Hayes wrote. "However, as this issue relates to our mission to provide for the safety of our community, we believe it appropriate to take a stand on this matter."
Residents packed the village boardroom Feb. 19 to call on the board to endorse tighter gun control measures, in the wake of the Parkland, Florida school shooting days before. Hayes said he and trustees have continued to receive communication from residents over the past two weeks.
"It is clear that this is an issue that is important to our community," he said.
Arlington Heights-based Gun Violence Prevention PAC, one of the groups behind the large meeting turnout, has lobbied suburban mayors, local law enforcement and clergy, who could persuade undecided legislators on pending legislation to require state licensing of gun stores.