CHICAGO â  Kwame Raoul, Democratic candidate for attorney general, was endorsed today by Giffords, a gun violence prevention group founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly, and the Gun Violence Prevention Political Action Committee, which supports candidates who work to end the gun violence epidemic. Raoul issued the following statement:
âIâm deeply grateful for the support of the Giffordsâ organizations as I seek to continue my work against gun trafficking and gun violence,” said Raoul. “It is unconscionable that so many of Illinoisâ young people live in fear that their lives could end at the point of a gun â whether in a school shooting or due to crime in their communities. As a father, Iâve worried about my own kidsâ safety and struggled to tell them about shootings that occurred on our block as they were growing up.
âAs attorney general, I will work with my counterparts in other states to identify gun trafficking pipelines and go after the sources of firearms used in crimes. Iâll also keep fighting to stop blueprints for untraceable 3D-printed guns from being published online. Recognizing that enforcement alone wonât break the cycle of violence, Iâll direct additional resources toward addressing the trauma gun violence causes victims and communities. This is a complex problem with no easy solutions, but doing nothing isnât an option. Iâm ready to get to work to make Illinois communities safer.â
Kwameâs opponent, Republican Erika Harold, told the Chicago Sun-Times editorial boardon Tuesday that no additional laws are needed to address gun trafficking. She also agreed with her top donor, Bruce Rauner, who vetoed legislation to require state licensing of gun dealers. Kwame pledged to continue advocating from the attorney generalâs office for gun dealer licensing and other measures needed to keep guns from falling into the wrong hands.
While serving in the Illinois Senate, Kwame sponsored and advocated for commonsense gun laws, including tougher sentences for repeat gun offenders, a requirement that gun owners promptly report lost or stolen weapons, bans on bump stocks and high-capacity magazines, and an end to the background check loophole in private sales. He has proudly and consistently earned an âFâ rating from the National Rifle Association, and G-PAC honored him with its Abraham Lincoln Award.