Lake County Gazette

Illinois State Rep. Chris Bos (R-Lake Zurich) said he believes more people should utilize red flag laws and noted that mental health is a major factor in mass shootings in a July 6 Facebook post.

The representative also said he voted in favor of legislation to expand gun control. Bos’s comments come after a mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, July 4. As residents were gathered for the city’s Independence Day parade, a man began firing into the crowd from a rooftop, ABC News reported.

"I am in favor of increasing the awareness and education of our current red flag law, so families and community members know the options they have within the current law to report those who pose a threat to themselves or others," Bos said. "Although we are still waiting for all the facts to come forward from this tragedy, the information made public so far appears to show our current red flag law could have kept weapons away from the perpetrator had it been properly utilized.”

The attack left seven people dead and dozens more injured. Robert 'Bobby' Crimo III, 22, originally identified as a person of interest, evaded capture for approximately eight hours until law enforcement took him into custody in Lake Forest.

"The mental health crisis in our youth is also a large contributing factor to these tragedies,” Bos said. “I’ve worked to pass legislation here in Illinois to expand access and funding for mental health professionals in our schools and our communities. I’ve hosted community-wide events where experts in the field give parents tools and resources to talk with their children. I also support the media agencies that refuse to use the name and photos of the killers. Studies have shown that the constant media attention inspires others, especially those who are not receiving the mental health treatments they need."

Crimo has been charged with seven counts of first-degree murder and more charges are likely, NBC News reported.

Prior to the shooting, Crimo posted "disturbing" videos on his YouTube channel in which he described and depicted mass shootings, Fox News reported.

Chris Covelli of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force implored the public to notify law enforcement if they see social media posts of that nature. Covelli also said Crimo planned the mass shooting for weeks.

Bos voted in favor of two bills that many Illinois Republicans oppose and voted against, according to the representative’s Facebook post. House Bill 562 will expand background checks to cover private sales and transfers, invest in mental health programs, direct state police funding toward enforcement of firearm surrenders for people who have had their “Firearms Owners I.D.” card (FOID) revoked, establish a database of stolen guns, and add additional verification factors for FOID applicants and gun purchasers.

House Bill 4729 is aimed at the Department of Public Health (DPH) and would require the department to implement a gun storage public awareness campaign, Bos said.

Bos has also introduced legislation to address the rising number of violent incidents and mass shootings across the state.

"I filed HB 3395 and HB 4404,” Bos said. “These bills would require that a person who already has two or more convictions for firearms offenses, shall be denied bail. Keeping repeat firearm offenders off the streets. Unfortunately, and frustratingly, the Democrat majority leadership in the Illinois House stopped these bills from being heard or considered for a vote."

More than 30% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 25 had a mental illness in 2020 and just 42.1% of those individuals’ received treatment for their illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.