Manley Earns ‘A’ Rating for Advancements in Gun Violence Prevention

JOLIET, Ill. – Working to combat firearm tragedies and illegal gun trafficking, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, was recently awarded an ‘A’ rating from the Gun Violence Prevention Action Committee (GPAC) for her support on a series of advancements in public safety and preventative violence.

“I’m honored to be recognized for my support in this critical space. We all share the same goal—keeping guns out of the wrong hands and getting senseless violence off our streets,” said Manley. “Yes, we’ve made meaningful strides through policy, but there is much more work to do to address the influx of violence in our neighborhoods, whether that’s supporting our law enforcement or investing in local outreach services for those at-risk."

Notably, Manley helped pass Karina’s Bill into law (House Bill 4144) after years of negotiation among gun safety advocates, law enforcement and law-abiding firearm owners. Karina’s Bill strengthens protections for survivors of domestic violence by ensuring firearms are removed from offenders when an order of protection is issued—preventing incidents from turning deadly. 

Manley also voted for the Safe Storage Act (Senate Bill 8), first-of-its-kind legislation that codifies firearm storage so weapons are inaccessible to minors, individuals in crisis and those prohibited under Illinois or federal law from having one. The measure also strengthens firearm reporting (House Bill 850) to lower the chance of mishandled firearms trafficked in Illinois communities. Studies show that states with similar laws decreased unintentional shootings by children by 78% and the movement of illegal guns in communities by 46%. 

“Almost daily, we wake up and see another shooting headline. Parents live with a fear that myself and so many others didn’t share growing up—the fear that a neighbor or schoolchild could be senselessly killed. No one should have to live with that fear, and I will continue to prioritize the safety our communities deserve,” said Manley.