SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A new report shows nearly 230 Illinoisans hold a federal license to manufacture guns, but few actually produce them. The National Violence Policy Center is concerned that these people are evading gun laws and buying weapons in bulk.

People with Type 07 federal firearms licenses can bypass background checks and sell guns in interstate commerce by common carriers. The Violence Policy Center found 82% of license holders in Illinois did not report producing any guns in 2022.

VPC Executive Director Josh Sugarmann told WAND News roughly a third of non-manufacturing licensees appear to be located in residential homes.

"We believe that most Illinois residents, probably like residents of most states, would like to know if their next-door neighbor is a gun manufacturer

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