SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly characterizes the policy surrounding the state’s red flag laws as an ongoing work in progress, but he adds that the system requires well informed tips from citizens in order to work properly.
During a virtual news conference with reporters, Kelly was asked about whether the state’s gun safety measures might need some more consideration after it’s been shown that 21-year-old alleged Highland Park shooter Robert “Bobby” Crimo III legally purchased several rifles and other firearms ahead of Monday’s shooting, averting the state’s regulations.
“We are always assessing whether there are weaknesses, if there are gaps and what we can do better”, said Kelly.
However, he adds that a very important part of the red flag gun control system is for people closest to those who might be dangerous individuals, to let law enforcement know about it so those people can be properly screened.
Crimo was issued an Illinois FOID card despite attempting suicide in 2019.
Police said no mental health prohibiter reports were submitted to state police by health care facilities or personnel.
“We have to have those folks’ cooperation and we have to have their diligence and we have to have those people tell us the things that would reach the legal threshold for us to take action.”
He suggests folks may need to do some homework on what those thresholds are.
