Verschoore-backed Legislation to Allow Mail Order of Ammunition Sales Passes House

State Rep. Pat Verschoore, D-Milan, and members of the Illinois House of Representatives approved legislation this week to help Illinois gun shops compete on a level playing field with their out-of-state counterparts by allowing valid FOID card holders to purchase mail-order ammunition from suppliers in Illinois.

“We are one step closer to making sure Illinois businesses are able to compete with other states when it comes to ammunition purchases,” Verschoore said. “Right now, the law prevents ammunition purchases from in-state gun shops, and with this legislation we are trying to prevent Illinois residents from taking their business across the border.”

Senate Bill 681, co-sponsored by Verschoore, allows legal gun owners to purchase ammunition through mail-orders from dealers in Illinois. Under state law, individuals are able to purchase ammunition by mail from ammunition suppliers out of state, but are prevented from purchasing ammunition from dealers in the state without being in violation of FOID regulations.

“With the current restrictions, we are only hampering Illinois companies’ potential to increase their business sales,” Verschoore said. “I am glad that my colleagues saw the need to remove the barriers that prevent business opportunities in Illinois, and I urge the governor to quickly act to on this legislation so we can remove unnecessary firearm restrictions so Illinois sportsmen and gun owners can more easily purchase ammunition in their own state.”

Senate Bill 681 is backed by the National Rifle Association, Illinois State Rifle Association and the Illinois Retail Merchants’ Association.  For more information on this legislation, please contact Verschoore’s constituent service office at (309) 558-3612.