Illinois State Police to Lose $1.5 Million Federal Background Check Improvement Grant as Rep. Osterman Stalls Important Piece of Gun Safety Legislation

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May 07, 2010, 05:12 ET

CHICAGO, May 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA):

The Illinois State Police (ISP) are in danger of losing a $1.5 Million federal grant designed to upgrade outdated firearm background check computer systems. The reason that the ISP are in danger of losing this grant is because Rep. Harry Osterman (D-Chicago) has refused to bring SB 3421 to the House floor for debate and a vote. SB 3421 would bring crucial reforms to the Illinois firearm permitting system which would, in turn, allow the ISP to qualify for federal grants sorely needed to upgrade hardware and software related to the firearm purchase background check system.

"We cannot understand why Rep. Osterman would drag his feet on this important gun safety bill," commented ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson. "Qualifying for the grant requires little more than passage of SB 3421, and passage of the bill by the House would probably be a cakewalk. Believe me, the ISP needs this grant money badly. I've been to the data processing center where the ISP processes background checks – the place looks like a museum of ancient computer history. Acquisition of new computers under the federal grant would mean faster, more accurate firearm background checks. The end result would be safer homes and streets. Again, for the life of me, I do not understand why Rep. Osterman would play politics with this potentially life-saving legislation. Thus far, Rep. Osterman has been unresponsive to inquiries regarding the status of SB 3421."

The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. For more than a century, the ISRA has represented the interests of millions of law-abiding Illinois firearm owners.

WEB SITE: http://www.isra.org

SOURCE Illinois State Rifle Association