Illinois Institutes Ban on So-Called Assault Weapons, High Capacity Magazines

On Tuesday night, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, (D), signed off on a statewide ban “assault weapons” Magazines with high capacity. The ban is itself an amendment Illinois House Bill 557 This is the aforementioned “Protect Illinois Communities Act.” Apart from banning the sale, purchase and possession “assault-style” Weapons include AR-15 and AK-47 rifles. Long gun magazines and handguns are limited to 10 rounds each. It also bans possession or use of any device that increases the firing rate for semi-automatic weapons.

Illinois residents with guns already on the prohibited list will be permitted to keep them. They may use them at gun ranges or in designated hunting areas. “other locations,” According to CBS Chicago. Gun owners who are gun owners must be aware of the consequences. “grandfathered” In: These guns must be registered with Illinois State Police. This bill speeds up the process of universal background checks, but it does not alter the age requirement for Firearm Owner ID cards.

The state Senate approved the bill on Monday, after five days’ debate. The House approved the bill on Tuesday, with 68 to 41 votes. The bill went straight to Pritzker’s desk, where he signed it, and it took effect immediately. Pritzker mentioned the July 4th shooting at Highland Park’s parade that killed seven people and left 36 injured, including a 2-yearold child. Pritzker said that the incident was due to the state and country being “held hostage” The NRA. He stated:

After nearly every mass shooting, we’ve seen efforts to ban dangerous weapons thwarted – and then leaders send their thoughts and prayers, while they throw their hands up – resigning themselves to the idea that gun violence is a sacrifice that Americans must accept. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Not all are on board. CBS reported that Patrick Windhorst, a state representative from the 118th district, stated that lawbreakers wouldn’t register their guns or turn their magazines in. He also said that only law-abiding gun owners will be affected. Blaine Wilhour, R-107th District State Representative, said that people will not comply “because the law, the Constitution, and the founding principles are on our side.” State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-55th district), who lost the governor’s race to Pritzker tweeted:

I’ll die on my front porch before anyone takes my guns away. Springfield, my message: Come get my guns. #voidthefoid #secondamendment #twill https://t.co/ec2ng6AzPh pic.twitter.com/l4EihJtrfZ

— Darren Bailey (@DarrenBaileyIL) January 10, 2023

Other opponents also predicted lawsuits.

Background checks are handled by the Federal government already proved its inability to do so To keep up with the pace. The Chicago Tribune Reports 797 people were killed and 695 were wounded in 2021. In 2023, there were 10 homicides as of January 11. 636 of these incidents were gun-related in 2022. I am willing to bet that those responsible for those crimes and those who are likely to commit similar offenses in 2023 didn’t and won’t have the intention of gathering their high-capacity magazines. “assault-style” Firearm Owner IDs can be applied for.

I was shot by a man after he had had a bad experience with drugs. It is clear that there are some people who shouldn’t be within ten miles of a gun. But a ban that will by and large only impact people who obey the law in the first place probably will not solve Illinois’ problems.