The
Illinois
House of Representatives and Senate have passed an assault-style weapons ban.
The bill will now go to Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL), who has previously vowed to sign it,
according to
CBS News. The Senate first
passed
the bill 34-20 on Tuesday, followed shortly thereafter by the House, which voted 68-41 in favor. The passing through the legislature all but ensures that the sale, delivery, and purchase of so-called
assault weapons
, as defined by the bill, will be banned in Illinois. Those who already own the weapons will not have to surrender them to authorities, but they will need to register them.
The bill categorized 100 different kinds of semi-automatic pistols, shotguns, and rifles to be banned.
‘SEE YOU IN COURT,’ ILLINOIS SENATE PRESIDENT SAYS AS CHAMBER PASSES GUN BAN
“Gun violence is an epidemic that is plaguing every corner of this state and the people of Illinois are demanding substantive action. With this legislation we are delivering on the promises Democrats have made and, together, we are making Illinois’ gun laws a model for the nation,” House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Senate President Don Harmon, both Democrats, and Pritzker said in a joint statement on Monday.
The bill was quickly pushed through after some negotiation in a lame-duck session. Newly elected lawmakers will be sworn in on Wednesday.
Republicans and gun rights advocates decried the bill as infringing on the Second Amendment rights of citizens. Many Republican lawmakers said they would not comply with the ban.
“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,” state Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R) said, Fox News
reported
.
“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,” outgoing State Sen. and former gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey (R) tweeted along with a GIF, a short-video format, of a cowboy rocking on a porch.
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. #voidthefoid #secondamendment #twill https://t.co/ec2ng6AzPh pic.twitter.com/l4EihJtrfZ
— Darren Bailey (@DarrenBaileyIL) January 10, 2023
Gun rights groups echoed the sentiment.
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“Not only does this tyrannical proposition infringe on the rights of all Illinois citizens, but it is also extremely dangerous,” Gun Owners of America said about the bill. “These commonly owned semi-automatic 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.”
