As Illinois lawmakers begin the 2026 session, House Bill 3320—titled the Responsibility in Firearm Legislation (RIFL) Act—has become a flashpoint in the state’s ongoing debate over gun control. The proposal, backed by Governor JB Pritzker and supported by Democratic lawmakers, would require all firearm manufacturers in Illinois to obtain a new state permit and pay annual fees based on their share of the market and the state’s estimated cost of gun violence.
Supporters, like State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), argue the bill would shift the financial burden of gun violence away from taxpayers and onto the firearms industry. Fees collected would fund compensation for victims, covering medical care, mental health services, lost wages, relocation, and funeral expenses.
Critics, led by Aaron Dorr of the Illinois Firearms Association, have called the bill “economic warfare” against manufacturers and claim the penalties—up to $1 million per month for noncompliance—are designed to drive gun businesses out of Illinois. They also warn the bill’s definition of “victim” is too broad, potentially allowing compensation for those injured while committing crimes.
Although the RIFL Act stalled last session, it now has 35 co-sponsors, intensifying debate among lawmakers and raising concerns among opponents that it could advance this year.