The 95th Illinois General Assembly adjourned last weekend. Unless it is called back by Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) for a Special Session, we do not anticipate any legislative threats to our Right to Keep and Bear Arms until Veto Session in November. Unlike 2007, when Blagojevich called endless Special Sessions that kept the General Assembly in operation practically all of last year, it is unlikely we will see legislators called back to Springfield, except, perhaps, to work on issues unrelated to firearms. If that changes, however, we will be sure to alert our members.
As the Veto Session approaches, we will also alert you to what we may anticipate. Ultimately, this year saw little happen that should be of concern to law-abiding gun owners. While the usual cadre of anti-gun extremists introduced numerous attacks on the Second Amendment, they failed to make any real progress. The list of failed anti-gun legislation is long, but some of the more high-profile efforts that were heavily promoted included: banning countless semi-automatic firearms, along with .50 cal. rifles and ammunition; banning magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition, as well as some firearms with attached tubular magazines; limiting the number of handguns a law-abiding citizen could purchase; eliminating virtually all private transfers of firearms; and serializing and registering all ammunition sold in Illinois, which would also eliminate all handloading.
Unfortunately, there was not much in the way of pro-gun reform, either. But given the current political climate in Illinois, holding back the anti-gun tide this year is a solid “Win” for the pro-gun community in the Land of Lincoln. With that in mind, now, more than ever, it is imperative that NRA members, along with their families and friends, get involved with efforts that will lead to success come Election Day on November 4. For information on what you can do to help, please contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at 1-800-392-8683.
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