The order strengthens vendor accountability and establishes additional public safety considerations for firearm-related purchases by City agencies.
Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order strengthening the City’s existing procurement standards for firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition purchased by City departments and sister agencies. Motivated by national concerns about law enforcement agencies purchasing firearms from unvetted gun dealers, an issue brought to light by Brady: United Against Gun Violence, Executive Order 2026-04 incorporates additional public safety and accountability measures into the evaluation of firearm vendors, helping ensure taxpayer dollars support lawful business practices while encouraging greater accountability across the firearms industry.
“Chicago’s commitment to community safety is reflected in the standards we set for how taxpayer dollars are spent,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “This executive order builds on that commitment by strengthening our procurement standards to ensure the City’s purchasing power advances responsible business practices and community safety. Every family deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood, and through this commitment to the families who have lost loved ones to gun violence, we are encouraging greater accountability across the firearms industry while supporting vendors that share our commitment to preventing illegal gun trafficking and protecting Chicagoans.”
Mayor Johnson’s executive order directs the Department of Procurement Services, in consultation with the Chicago Police Department, the Office of Public Safety Administration, and the Department of Law, to develop procurement standards for firearm-related purchases within 90 days. Prospective vendors seeking to contract with the City will be required to meet these standards and disclose licensing and regulatory compliance information, firearm-related violations, corrective actions, and business practices designed to prevent firearm trafficking, straw purchasing, theft, and the unlawful diversion of firearms.
The executive order follows a Brady investigation showing that law enforcement agencies across the country have spent millions of taxpayer dollars purchasing firearms from dealers and manufacturers with repeated violations of federal firearm regulations.
“Government doesn’t just make the rules—it helps shape the market. Every taxpayer dollar spent on firearms should reinforce public safety, not reward gun dealers with a track record of violating the law,” said Brady President Kris Brown. “For too long, irresponsible sellers have profited twice: first by selling firearms that end up fueling crime and violence, and then by winning government contracts paid for by the very communities harmed by that violence. Mayor Johnson’s executive order rejects that status quo and sends a clear message that public dollars come with public responsibility. We are excited to see more cities and states use their purchasing power to raise standards across the gun industry.”
The procurement standards will also allow the City to consider vendors’ efforts to prevent unlawful firearm trafficking, employee training programs related to compliance with firearm laws and regulations, security measures designed to prevent theft of firearms and ammunition, cooperation with law enforcement investigations involving firearms used in crimes, and other public safety practices when awarding or renewing contracts.
By strengthening these standards, the City is leveraging its purchasing power to encourage responsible firearm commerce and reduce the risk that firearms are diverted into unlawful use. In signing this order, Mayor Johnson helps count Chicago among a growing number of states, cities, and counties, such as Colorado, New Jersey, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, that have implemented responsible firearms procurement standards.
The Mayor’s order builds on the Johnson administration’s comprehensive approach to reducing gun violence by strengthening coordination across City government and ensuring every available tool is used to advance public safety. Earlier this month, Mayor Johnson established the Office of Gun Violence Reduction, bringing City departments, community violence intervention organizations, and public safety partners together around a coordinated citywide violence reduction strategy.
These efforts build on sustained investments in prevention, youth employment, victim services, and mental and behavioral healthcare programming that have coincided with historic reductions in violence, including homicides reaching their lowest point in nearly 60 years in 2025.
Mayor Johnson’s executive order takes effect immediately upon signing. The signed executive order will be posted on the City Clerk’s website.
