Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined 22 other attorneys general in supporting a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) rule aimed at curbing illegal gun trafficking. The coalition filed an amicus brief in Texas v. ATF, arguing that the rule is necessary to protect public safety by preventing domestic abusers and other dangerous individuals from obtaining guns illegally.
"The federal government should be able to protect residents and communities by requiring firearm dealers to comply with commonsense regulations like performing background checks on potential buyers," Raoul stated. "I will continue to advocate to protect Illinois communities from the scourge of gun violence that has become all too common in our state."
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), enacted by Congress in 2022, closed loopholes that allowed gun traffickers and criminals to obtain firearms without background checks. The law expanded the definition of gun sellers to include additional private sellers, making them subject to federal licensing and background check requirements. The ATF rule implements these changes and provides clarifying instructions about what conduct falls within the expanded definition under the law.
Raoul and his colleagues argue that unlicensed gun sales facilitate access for those who cannot legally purchase firearms, endangering communities and fueling gun violence. They believe the ATF rule will make it more difficult for dangerous individuals to obtain guns illegally, thereby curbing gun trafficking and enhancing public safety.
This brief is part of Attorney General Raoul’s ongoing efforts to address gun violence. His office has created a crime-gun tracing database for Illinois law enforcement called Crime Gun Connect. Additionally, Raoul's office collaborates with local law enforcement to combat gun trafficking and prosecutes multi-county gun trafficking offenses. The office also works with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors statewide to increase awareness of Illinois’ red flag law and address gaps in the state's firearms licensing system.
Raoul's office partners with the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) to prevent targeted acts of violence through training sessions for law enforcement officers, educators, religious leaders, and community members.
Attorney General Raoul has also advocated for stronger regulation of 3D-printed guns and ghost guns at both federal and state levels. Although Illinois now prohibits ghost guns, his office continues to fight in federal court to defend a recent rule closing a federal loophole related to these weapons. Additionally, Raoul’s office defends cases challenging Illinois’ firearm regulations across state courts.
Beyond supporting law enforcement efforts against gun violence, Raoul’s office supports victims' service providers throughout Illinois offering trauma-informed services for crime victims and their families. The Violence Prevention and Crime Victim Services Division administers various programs assisting survivors of violent crime.
Joining Raoul in filing the amicus brief are attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin.