Legislation aimed at preventing gun violence in schools, sponsored by State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville), was signed into law on Friday.
Davidsmeyer introduced the bill after learning about an incident in his district where a student threatened another student with gun violence. Although the victim reported the threat to school staff, it was not escalated to the principal because it was considered only a threat.
House Bill 1316 now requires all school officials to immediately inform the principal’s office of any threat of gun violence on school grounds. The principal is then expected to notify the parents of the student who made the threat as soon as possible so they can ensure their child does not have access to firearms.
“I don’t want to take any threats of violence lightly,” Rep. Davidsmeyer said. “My legislation will help prevent school gun violence while not impeding on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners. If we can help to ensure these horrific incidents no longer happen, our gun rights will not be under constant attack by anti-gun politicians.”
The bill passed both chambers unanimously and was carried in the Senate by State Senator Jil Tracy (R-Quincy).
Davidsmeyer, a Republican, has represented Illinois’ 100th House District since 2012, succeeding Jim Watson.
