One of the questions I’ve been asked often in the past few months is if I really believe that a law could have prevented the Virginia Tech shooter from carrying out his attacks.

What people tend to forget is that a law is more than a simple pronouncement directed at criminals; it’s a policy that should guide the actions of the government and the law-abiding populace.

As Mayor, I knew that simply making a declaration wouldn’t change the behavior of dangerous and deranged individuals. I knew that laws, and enforcement activities connected to them, had to be crafted in such a way as to actively and effectively thwart a criminal’s misdeeds.

This is why I, and many others, supported the Brady Bill in the early 1990s, and why so many people from all walks of life support bills today that would close the loopholes in our background check system. Those bills didn’t rely on a dangerous person’s honesty to be effective, and they don’t interfere with the lives or freedoms of average citizens.

Not only is positive action being taken at the Federal level — where Congresswoman McCarthy’s bill has passed the House and is awaiting action in the Senate — but a number of States are acting on their own. The Illinois State Legislature has passed a bill that will mean more mental health records going into the Brady background check system.

The fact that both chambers of the Illinois Legislature were able to take such swift action is a testament to the common-sense logic of this bill. It’s also a testament to the dedication of many in that state who felt duty-bound to correct the broad legal loophole that made it easier for one man in Virginia to murder thirty-two innocent victims. Illinois State Senator Dan Kotowski and State Representative Harry Osterman in particular have shown that a common-sense approach to gun laws can win broad support.

The bill is awaiting the signature of Governor Rod Blagojevich, who should act quickly to put this sensible measure into law.

(Note to readers: This blog entry, as well as past blog entries, are co-posted on bradycampaign.org/blog and www.huffingtonpost.com)