Red Flag Law, Universal Background Checks Fail to Stop Illinois Shooting

AURORA, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 15: Police secure the area following a shooting at the Henry P
Scott Olson/Getty Images

A red flag law and universal background checks failed to stop the Aurora, Illinois, shooting that killed five people Friday.

Illinois also licenses all gun owners, but gun control was impotent to stop the shooting.

The Chicago Tribune reports that 45-year-old Gary Martin opened fire at Henry Pratt Company around 1:20 pm. He allegedly fatally wounded five individuals, then exchanged fire with officers before being killed during a shootout.

WBEZ radio reports that Martin’s sister said he was laid off two weeks ago and was “very depressed.”

WRSP reports that Illinois’ red flag law went into effect on January 1, 2019. They also have a 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases, licensing for gun owners, and universal background checks. None of the gun control prevented Martin from entering Henry Pratt Company and opening fire.

House Democrats are currently pushing universal background checks at the federal level.

AWR Hawkins is an award-winning Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and the writer/curator of Down Range with AWR Hawkins, a weekly newsletter focused on all things Second Amendment, also for Breitbart News. He is the political analyst for Armed American Radio. Follow him on Twitter: @AWRHawkins. Reach him directly at awrhawkins@breitbart.com. Sign up to get Down Range at breitbart.com/downrange.

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