Will County Gazette

Senate District 19 candidate, Samantha Gasca, has voiced her strong opposition to Senate Bill 2720, filed by Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) on Thursday, Jan. 10. The bill has drawn criticism from Gasca due to its potential impact on Second Amendment supporters and Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) cardholders.

“If our FOID Cards are revoked along with our Driver’s Licenses, my questions are: If we cannot drive, how will we work?” Gasca asked on Facebook. “How will we shop for basic necessities such as food or medicines?

“Is that the point... to threaten gun owners regarding their livelihood and their family’s well-being? And to make others fear so much that they will not even dare to apply for a FOID card?”

The proposed bill stipulates that a driver’s license can be suspended or not issued if a FOID card is revoked unless the card is surrendered to the state. Furthermore, firearms must be surrendered to another FOID cardholder. Gasca raised serious concerns about the implications of this bill for individuals who might have both their FOID cards and Driver’s Licenses revoked. She emphasized the potential threat this poses to employment, access to basic necessities, and overall well-being. According to Gasca, the bill could be seen as a direct threat to the livelihood and survival of gun owners in Illinois. She suggested it may deter individuals from exercising their Second Amendment rights or applying for a FOID card due to fear of repercussions.

Gasca expressed additional concerns about the bill's potential loopholes and ambiguities. She questioned whether an appeals process would be available and what would happen with Driver’s Licenses during this period. She also warned about possible manipulation in cases involving Order of Protection (OP) issues. In her view, false accusations supported by manipulated evidence could lead to the revocation of FOID cards. In her Facebook post, Gasca highlighted the bill’s potential impact on mental health-related cases, stating that misuse of the bill could enable government officials to have someone involuntarily admitted to a mental institution, resulting in the surrender of firearms.

In an appeal to her opponent State Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort), Gasca urged him to vote against the initiative. She argued that the potential for abuse was too great and suggested that the bill might contribute to increased government control. Senate Bill 2720, as described by Gasca, aims to amend the Illinois Vehicle Code and the Firearm Owner’s Identification Card Act. The bill states that the Secretary of State may not issue or allow the renewal or retention of a driver’s license by someone possessing a revoked FOID card unless certain conditions are met.

The synopsis of Senate Bill 2720 also amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and outlines its intent. It emphasizes that surrendering FOID cards or successful reinstatement are prerequisites for obtaining or renewing a driver’s license.

Gasca is currently running for District 19, which includes all or parts of Lockport, New Lenox, Mokena, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Frankfort, and Frankfort Square among other communities. With a diverse background spanning radio, counseling and business sectors, she has been actively engaged as the Radio Program Content Coordinator and Data Analyst at Moody Radio since March 2018. Gasca also owns and operates God Heard LLC, a multifaceted platform established in July 2021 where she offers pastoral counseling, life coaching and business consulting services, according to her LinkedIn profile.