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Cardinal Cupich’s Statements

Statement of Cardinal Blase J. Cupich on Governor Bruce Rauner's Veto

March 14, 2018

The governor’s decision to veto a bill that would have required firearms dealers to be licensed by the state is deeply disappointing. No one believes that this or any one bill can be a comprehensive solution to the plague of violence afflicting our nation, but licensing these dealers, would have been one step in the journey toward making our state safer. The incremental benefits of this and other legislation under consideration that limits the size of magazines, the availability of devices to make weapons automatic, and access to assault weapons, along with other proposals, will add up to lives saved. Our families and those who protect us should not be forced to endure more fear, anxiety and heartbreak on the premise that we have to wait for our elected officials to provide a "comprehensive" solution, all the while relegating our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to second place. 

The voices of children demanding action now cannot be ignored and it is up to the adult world to stand with them and the families devastated by loss by pressing our elected leaders to adopt laws, which might be less than comprehensive but are more than nothing.

For the Spanish version of the statement, please click here.