In the wake of a July 3 drive-by shooting in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, in which at least 18 people were shot and four killed, supporters of Illinois’s SB2279, the Responsibility in Firearm Legislation (RIFL) Act, have published an opinion piece in the Chicago Tribune. In it, the authors say that while the state of Illinois pays an estimated $18.6 billion a year toward firearm injury and death, firearm manufacturers share none of these costs, and that the River North mass shooting itself will cost the victims, their families and Illinois taxpayers—conservatively—$2.5 million.
The Responsibility in Firearm Legislation Act, introduced in the 104th General Assembly, creates an injury restitution fund, financed by firearm manufacturers according to how frequently their products are recovered in shooting events. It is currently awaiting committee assignment.
