Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the “Protect Illinois Communities Act” into law Tuesday evening, making Illinois the latest state to ban the sale or acquisition of assault weapons. The new law went into effect immediately and bans the sale or possession of new assault weapons, including some semiautomatic firearms, along with high-capacity magazines and rapid-firing devices.
“For a long time now, I and many other leaders in the Illinois General Assembly have prioritized getting the most dangerous weapons off our state’s streets,” Pritzker said in a statement Tuesday. “Today, honoring the commitment we made, we passed one of the strongest assault weapons bans in the nation, one I will be proud to sign.”
The weapons ban came six months after a gunman killed seven people at a Fourth of July parade in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park.
“No Illinoisan, no matter their zip code, should have to go through life fearing their loved one could be the next in an ever-growing list of victims of mass shootings,” the governor said. “However, for too long people have lived in fear of being gunned down in schools, while worshipping, at celebrations or in their own front yards. This legislation will stop the spread of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches and make our state a safer place for all.”
The final bill had been modified by the Senate regarding which high-capacity magazines would be banned. For long guns, it would be those with more than 10 rounds. For handguns, it would be those with more than 15 rounds. Under the newly enacted law, people who currently own any of the items being banned, who will be grandfathered in, will have to report the model, caliber, and serial numbers of the weapons they own by Oct. 1.
“According to the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA), the ban affects nearly 2.5 million legal firearm owners in the state,” reported ABC News. ISRA’s executive director, Richard Pearson, said that the group is ready to fight. “The Illinois State Rifle Association will see the State of Illinois in court.”
Newsweek reported that the new law “sparked a furious reaction from Republicans.” “We will not comply, and you’re not going to do a darn thing about it, because the law, the Constitution, and the founding principles are on our side,” said state Rep. Blaine Wilhour.
Outgoing GOP state Rep. Darren Bailey, who lost the governor’s race to Pritzker, tweeted: “I’ll die on my front porch before anyone takes my guns away. My message to Springfield: If you want my guns, come get them.”
Gun Owners of America (GOA) shared that the law bans “many commonly owned firearms from manufacture or sale, and require[s] all current owners of these guns to register them within the state…. These … firearms are used countless times every year to save lives and deter crime. Banning them will only prevent law-abiding citizens from purchasing the best firearm to defend themselves. Not to mention, the requirement to register currently owned firearms is vehemently unconstitutional.”
The GOA’s comments were reinforced by Republican state Rep. Patrick Windhorst who said the new law will impact only “law-abiding gun owners,” not criminals, reported Newsweek. “People who break the law, people who commit violent crime are not going to register their firearms, are not going to turn in their magazines. This will not stop that crime. What will happen is law-abiding gun owners will be yet again impacted by laws in this General Assembly, yet again have their Second Amendment rights restrained.”
Once again, Democrats have successfully used emotional arguments with pretzel logic to pass and enforce laws that will not stop violent crimes or the use of firearms to commit horrific acts. The proponents of the Protect Illinois Communities Act legislation did not address the root issue of violent crime — the moral decline of society, including the breakdown of marriage, family, and community. There wasn’t even an honorable mention in the bill’s text regarding strengthening families and building a better society. So much for protecting communities.
One thing is certain, this new weapons ban will end up in the courts. We can only hope it will be ruled unconstitutional.
