GLENVIEW, Ill. – Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, Democratic candidate for State Representative, issued the following statement after the House failed to pass House Bill 4117 to ban trigger
modification devices and explosive materials similar to those used in the Las Vegas massacre earlier this month:
“Like many in our community, I was horrified when I woke up the morning after the Las Vegas shooting and learned of the unimaginable tragedy unfolding before our eyes. My kids, like most kids, go to concerts and my husband and I, like most parents, don’t think twice about it. Gun violence does not discriminate, and we are solemnly reminded of that with every mass shooting and every senseless act of violence.
“The legislation rejected by the House last week is a commonsense measure to ban materials specifically designed to inflict mass damage. We know that the Las Vegas shooter used bump
stocks to convert 12 of his rifles into weapons resembling machine guns capable of shooting hundreds of bullets a minute. Authorities found 50 pounds of Tannerite in his hotel room, which is currently sold completely unregulated in Illinois. No one has a need to possess the amount and type of weaponry that he possessed. We can’t change the past, but lawmakers have an obligation and an opportunity to take reasonable, commonsense measures to prevent further tragedy.
“If the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history isn’t enough to prompt our policymakers and communities into action, then I don’t know what is. While I am deeply
disappointed in last week’s failure to pass House Bill 4117, I’m more committed than ever to standing up to the powerful gun lobby and fighting for commonsense measures that keep our
families and communities safe.”
Gong-Gershowitz is a longtime Glenview resident and human rights attorney. She has announced her candidacy in the Democratic primary for State Representative of the 17th District,
which includes all or parts of Glenview, Northbrook, Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Golf and Morton Grove.