A state senator has proposed legislation that would regulate pre-packaged explosive components, which were among bomb-making materials found in the possession of the Highland Park parade shooter.
State Senator Julie Morrison sponsored Senate Bill 754, which would prohibit pre-packaged explosive components from being sold to people who do not have a FOID card.
It would also require firearm dealers to keep a record of any sales involving the products.
A commonly used “pre-packed explosive component” is Tannerite, which is marketed as a product that explodes when hit with a bullet.
Morrison said the proposal comes after FBI agents found bomb-making materials in the home of the Highland Park mass shooter.
Law enforcement recovered multiple firearms along with the bomb-making material from the Highwood apartment where Robert E. Crimo III was living, just hours after the July 4 shooting.
The FBI said the bomb-making material included electronic components, including a remote initiator, two plastic jugs with ammunition attached to the outside, a funnel and two boxes of Tannerite.
Crimo bought the 10 pounds of Tannerite, a binary explosive, on June 1 — one month before the attack.
Additional bomb-making components, including electrical components, an electronic timer and electric matches, were found in an upstairs bedroom of a single-family home that Crimo had access to.
Crimo’s father later consented to an additional search by the FBI that resulted in agents finding batteries, electrical wiring, a capacitor, circuit boxes, a “servo” and remote switches.
The recovered material can be assembled into an improvised explosive device (IED) for use as a weapon of mass destruction, according to an FBI agent, court documents show.
Crimo admitted to the FBI in an interview that he had considered planting explosives at the parade.
Morrison said the current lack of regulation could potentially allow someone to amass large quantities of Tannerite and cause a large explosion, creating a threat to public safety.
“I saw first-hand how heinous acts of violence can tear apart a community,” Morrison said. “Imagine the outcome had the shooter moved forward with using the explosives he had made.”
Senate Bill 754 has passed the Senate and heads to the House for further approval.