Jonathan also supports President Biden’s National Ghost Gun Enforcement Initiative

Every resident of the First Congressional District of Illinois should be able to go about their lives safely and free from the threat of violence. Illinoisans are being held hostage in their own homes, in an effort to keep their families safe from gun violence. Residents are now more afraid of stray bullets than they are of contracting Covid-19.

According to the Chicago Tribune, in 2021, the city recorded over 1,800 carjackings, the most in 20 years. Last year, the Cook County Medical Examiner reported more than 1,000 homicides, the most handled by the office since 1994.

Resident’s of the First Congressional District do not feel safe! That is because they are not safe! As a father of three, Jonathan has fought to end the gun violence  epidemic that is terrorizing communities across Illinois, and the United States of America. Jonathan and the entire Jackson Family have focused a significant portion of their activism on fighting gun violence.

From 2009 to 2016, Chicago police recovered more than 720 guns traced back to Shore Galleries, a gun shop in Lincolnwood, Illinois.

According to an investigation done by The Trace, a publication dedicated to reporting on our country’s gun violence, from 2009-2016 Westforth Sports, a gun shop in Gary, Indiana,  supplied more than 850 guns used in crimes carried out in the city of Chicago. In a four month span, that same gun shop sold 19 guns to one individual. One of those guns was used in a gas station car jacking which ended in a homicide.

As Congressman, Jonathan will combat this issues by supporting the  “Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act,” which will make it much easier for the ATF to revoke the licenses of troublesome gun stores. When passed, the ATF will be able to revoke gun shop licenses without having to go through the hoops of proving a dealer intentionally violated the Gun Control Act.

Additionally, the Act increases the number of allowed compliance inspections of gun stores from 1 to 3 times, per year; allows the ATF to fine gun stores up to $10,000 for violations; and gives the ATF the ability to hire 80 new staff people.

Jonathan also supports President Biden’s National Ghost Gun Enforcement Initiative Ghost guns are privately made guns, which are unidentifiable because they do not have serial numbers. The initiative will provide training to prosecutors and disseminate investigation and prosecution tools to help bring cases against those who use ghost guns to commit crimes.

Additionally, President Biden and the Justice Department released rules forcing manufacturers of ghost gun kits to place serial numbers on ghost gun parts.

Chuck’s Gun Shop & Pistol Range in Riverdale, Illinois, topped the list from 1996 to 2000 with over 2,000 traces — the most prolific crime gun seller in the nation. In 2017, it maintained its title, at least for the city of Chicago: Police recovered nearly 1,000 of the store’s guns between 2013 and 2016. Inspections data obtained by The Trace shows that since 2010, the ATF has only found Chuck’s — which did not respond to a request for comment — guilty of occasional clerical errors.

Jonathan also understands that public safety requires a holistic approach to community wellness, including well-resourced public schools, community mental health services, affordable housing, and successful small businesses.  Law enforcement cannot be expected to solve every tangible social need of our community.