Hair braiders, but not gun dealers

I applaud President Obama's executive actions on gun sales issued earlier this year. Many high-volume unlicensed gun sellers flood the black market for guns - and are key contributors to interstate gun trafficking, typically from states with weak gun laws to states with stronger laws, like Illinois.

A report by the city of Chicago found that nearly 60 percent of crime guns confiscated in Chicago crimes originated from out of state.

The Illinois Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is calling on Illinois' members of Congress to pass universal background checks to close more loopholes. Recently, we thanked Senator Mark Kirk's staff for his support of this legislation.

However, we aren't waiting for our federal lawmakers to act. There are sensible steps that our state lawmakers can take to reduce crime guns in Illinois.

Moms Demand Action and other coalition groups are urging state lawmakers to pass SB1883, which proposes state licensing for gun dealers. The city's report also found that a remarkable 20 percent of crime guns were traced back to only four stores. Since this report, more suburban gun stores have opened. Many other states require more oversight on gun dealers to reduce gun violence. In Illinois, we require professional licenses for hair braiders but not gun dealers.

I'm asking Naperville-area legislators, Senators Michael Connelly, Linda Holmes, and Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, and Representatives Grant Wehrli, Ron Sandack and Mark Batinik to pass SB1883.

Michele Sandstrom

Naperville