Illinois Attorney General Backs States’ Authority to Regulate Firearms

CHICAGO — Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a coalition of 17 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting states’ authority to enact firearm regulations to protect communities from gun violence. The brief, filed in Yukutake v. Lopez at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, asks the court to reverse a lower court decision that struck down two provisions of Hawaii’s firearm permitting system, including a 30-day purchase permit limit and inspections of certain out-of-state or unlicensed firearms. Raoul and the coalition argue the provisions are reasonable, do not violate the Second Amendment, and help ensure that only law-abiding citizens can purchase and possess firearms while allowing states to tailor regulations to local needs.