Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is spearheading a coalition of attorneys general in a legal battle to uphold a Pennsylvania statute that restricts concealed carry for individuals under 21. The coalition, which comprises 19 attorneys general, has filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, pushing for a review of a decision that had previously struck down the law. This group intervention seeks to preserve the ability of states to set regulations aimed at preventing gun violence, particularly among young people.
In their legal brief, the coalition warns that the court's standing opinion could undermine the constitutionality of analogous regulations in over 30 states with similar age constraints on gun access. They argue that the statutes are historically grounded, asserting states have enforced comparable laws for more than a century and a half. "The courts have made clear that states retain the ability to craft gun safety regulations that protect the public from gun violence," Raoul stated, emphasizing a collective effort to keep firearms out of the wrong hands, according to the Illinois Attorney General’s website.
Attorney General Raoul has been actively working to address gun violence within Illinois and beyond. Initiatives such as Crime Gun Connect, a tracing database for law enforcement, along with collaboration to curb gun trafficking are a testament to these efforts. Furthermore, Raoul's office aims to increase the understanding and use of the state's red flag law, bridging gaps in the firearms licensing system, and has been prosecuting those falsifying FOID card applications.
Partnering with the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center, Raoul’s team also focuses on preventing targeted acts of violence through training sessions for various community leaders. In the realm of gun regulation, the Attorney General has advocated for tighter restrictions on 3D-printed and ghost guns, with Illinois now banning the latter. He remains involved in ongoing legal battles both to defend state firearm regulations and to uphold a federal rule that attempts to close existing loopholes related to gun manufacturing.
The office of the Attorney General is also committed to supporting victims of violent crimes, and administering programs and services for trauma recovery. This holistic approach pairs regulatory efforts with community support, striving to address the multifaceted issue of gun violence from multiple angles. Joining Raoul in the amicus brief are the attorneys general from states including California, Colorado, Connecticut, and New York – representing a broad alliance of regions tackling similar legislative challenges to keep their citizens safe.
