Illinois Assembly Looking to Tighten Already-Strict Laws to Curb State’s Gun Crime

State rifle group says it will sue if HB5855 is signed into law

Most of these rifles for sale at Freddie Bear Sports on April 8, 2021, in Tinley Park, Illinois, would be banned by HB 5855 which is currently before the Illinois General Assembly. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The Illinois General Assembly will consider a bill to place further restrictions on gun owners in a state already known for strict gun-control laws.

Gun rights advocates vow to fight what one calls a “blatantly illegal bill.”

Doug Mayhall, president of the Illinois State Rifle Association, said his organization would sue if the bill is signed into law.

“We are definitely doing that,” he told The Epoch Times.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to sign HB 5855 into law if it makes it to his desk. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

The Protecting Illinois Communities Act (HB5855), sponsored by state Rep. Bob Morgan (D-58th District), would ban so-called assault weapons along with magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

It would “tighten regulations to prohibit rapid-fire devices turning weapons into fully automatic guns.”

The bill would establish an anti-gun trafficking strike force in the Illinois State Police and allow those who currently own banned weapons to keep them if they register them with the state and pay a fee.

Mayhall points to this provision as one of the most objectionable to him. He said people who aren’t violating the law shouldn’t have to register a legally owned firearm because the right to own such a weapon is protected by the Second Amendment.

Fears of Confiscations

Mayhall said registration only serves one purpose.

“Registration always turns into confiscation.”

He also objects to the bill’s buttressed Illinois Firearms Restraining Order (FRO) law. The bill would extend the duration of an order from six months to one year. It would also expand the pool of people who could ask the court for a FRO.

“It would change from a family member [to request a FRO] and opens it up to anyone,” Mayhall said. “If you don’t like my political views, you could unfairly give me a lot of grief.”

The bill would increase the age to obtain a Firearm Owner Identification card (FOID) to 21. People younger than 21 can currently receive a card if a parent or guardian signs for them. The law would make exceptions for persons under 21 serving in the U.S. Military or Illinois National Guard. It'd also permit guardian-supervised hunting or shooting sports.

Morgan, who didn’t return a call seeking comment, posted information about the bill on his webpage. He wrote that the legislation aligns with his promise to reduce gun violence in the state.

Morgan Invokes Crime

“After the July 4 mass shooting, I made our community, and our state, a promise that I would do everything in my power to prevent this tragedy from happening again,” Morgan’s website reads.

In that incident, a 22-year-old man opened fire during an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois. He reportedly killed seven people and wounded dozens more.

He’s currently facing more than 117 felony charges, including 21 counts of first-degree murder (three counts for each of the deceased).

Morgan didn’t explain how his proposed law would have prevented that crime.

Virginia-based Gun Owners of America (GOA) posted an alert on its website calling on Illinois gun owners to take action. GOA’s statement warns that the restrictions could harm lawful gun owners and their families.

“Banning [guns] 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 statement reads.

Mayhall agreed. He said he has read the bill several times and is concerned that it doesn’t clearly describe the firearms to be banned.

Bans Called ‘Draconian’

“The assault weapons ban eliminates almost all semi-automatics. Most semi-automatic handguns could be included as well. It’s very draconian,” Mayhall said.

Six states and Washington, D.C., currently have assault weapons bans. States with bans are California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, and Maryland.

Mayhall said the 9th Circuit Court has previously ruled that magazine bans are unconstitutional.

He believes the bill will almost certainly pass the Illinois House and most likely make it through the state Senate.

If the bill does make it through the General Assembly, Mayhall said Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker—who has publicly supported the bill—would sign it.

Mayhall and GOA called on their members to take a stand now. GOA’s website statement says the best time to stop the law is before it’s enacted.

“Please urge your State Representative to vote ‘No’ on HB 5855,” the statement reads.

Mayhall agrees.

“It’s a horrendous bill. My advice is to remind [legislators] this is blatantly illegal,” he said.