August 1, 2005

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois Senate

94th General Assembly

            Pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(b) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby veto Senate Bill 57, entitled “AN ACT concerning firearms.”   I am a strong supporter of closing the gun show loophole, which allows criminals access to guns without undergoing background checks.  This is precisely the reason I intend to sign Senate Bill 1333 into law.  However, Senate Bill 57 contains additional provisions that I find unacceptable. Namely, Senate Bill 57 requires the destruction of firearm purchase records.  These records are critical law enforcement tools. 

            For this reason, I hereby veto and return Senate Bill 57.

Sincerely,

ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH

Governor