On February 28th, the Illinois state House of Representatives voted to pass a number of gun control bills that will severely infringe upon your Second Amendment rights, including a combination gun/magazine ban and confiscation bill for young adults, the egregious dealer licensing bill and other extreme measures such as imposing an extended waiting period.
House Bills 1465, 1467, and 1468 will now go to the state Senate for further consideration. SB 1657, the dealer licensing bill will now go to Governor Bruce Rauner’s desk. HB 1649 is still pending in the House of Representatives.
Now is the time, Please contact your state Senator and urge them to OPPOSE House Bills 1465, 1467, and 1468. In addition, contact Governor Rauner (217-782-0244) to VETO SB 1657, and your state Representative to OPPOSE HB 1469. Click the “Take Action” button below to contact your state Senator and Representative as well as Governor Rauner.
House Bill 1468, sponsored by Representative Jonathan Carroll (D-57), passed by a vote of 79-37. It would require a 72 hour waiting period for certain commonly-owned semi-automatic firearms and .50 BMG caliber rifles. Current Illinois law requires a 72 hour waiting period for handguns and a 24 hour waiting period for long guns. The arbitrary distinction in this bill will cause confusion among firearm sellers about which long guns require a 72 hour waiting period. In addition, it would also ban the sale of these firearms to non-residents.
House Bill 1465, as amended by Representative Michelle Mussman (D-56), passed by a vote of 64-51. It would deny law-abiding young adults under the age of 21 their Second Amendment rights by prohibiting them from possessing or purchasing commonly-owned semi-automatic firearms, standard capacity magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition, and .50 BMG caliber rifles. The bill would require adults under the age of 21 to dispose of such firearms within 90 days and to dispose of standard capacity magazines over ten rounds in capacity immediately. In addition, language in the bill would prohibit out-of-state visitors from being present in Illinois for longer than 24 hours with such firearms or standard capacity magazines.
House Bill 1467, sponsored by Representative Martin Moylan (D-55), passed by a vote of 83-31. It would ban “bump stocks” and “trigger cranks.” The broad and vague language could be interpreted to ban components used on competition grade firearms. It would ban various antique and historical reproduction firearms such as Gatling guns, which are owned by collectors and historical reenactors. It would require owners of “bump stocks” and “trigger cranks” to dispose of them within 90 days.
Senate Bill 1657, sponsored by Senator John Cullerton (D-6), passed by a vote of 64-52. It would create onerous mandatory regulations, fees potentially in the thousands of dollars and excessive amounts of red tape that would almost assuredly force the closure of many firearm dealers, and prevent prospective owners from opening new ones. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) already licenses and closely monitors all federally licensed firearm dealers (FFLs) and strictly enforces any violation of federal law.
House Bill 1469, sponsored by Representative Daniel Burke (D-1), was heard without action taken. The House may decide to take this bill under consideration at any time. HB 1469 would ban standard capacity ammunition magazines over 10 rounds in capacity and body armor. The vast majority of handguns have standard capacity magazines holding more than 10 rounds. These magazines would have to be disposed of within 90 days.
Again, please contact your state Senator and urge them to OPPOSE House Bills 1465, 1467, and 1468. In addition, calls and emails are needed to Governor Rauner’s office to urge his VETO of SB 1657. HB 1469 may come up for consideration at anytime, please continue your calls and emails to your state Representative.