Illinois: Action on Anti-Gun Bills Expected in the Near Future!

Time is quickly running out for this year’s session in the Illinois General Assembly, and anti-gun extremists in the House of Representatives appear to be working behind the scenes for a final push to try to pass something that will create new restrictions on our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. 

The gun-ban crowd seems to be concerned that a pro-Second Amendment decision from the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of McDonald v. Chicago would create an atmosphere in Illinois that will make it even harder to push their anti-gun agenda.  With that in mind, it is our concern that this next week could see one or several anti-gun bills brought to the floor for consideration.  It is imperative that you contact your State Representative and urge him or her to oppose any anti-gun bill that is brought to the floor for a vote.  The bills most likely to be considered include:

House Bill 180, introduced by State Representative Deborah Graham (D-78), would establish a state-based licensing scheme for Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders that sell handguns.

House Bill 5480, introduced by State Representative Harry Osterman (D-14), would outlaw most private transfers of handguns and require the transfers to be processed through an FFL.

House Bill 5495, introduced by State Representative William Burns (D-26), would prohibit law-abiding citizens from purchasing more than one handgun in a 30-day period.

House Bill 5751, introduced by State Representative Edward Acevedo (D-2), was voted out of the House Executive Committee this week, and is now on the floor.  This bill if passed would ban countless semi-automatic handguns, rifles, and shotguns, many parts for the same, as well as .50 cal. rifles and ammunition.

House Bill 5849, introduced by State Representative Harry Osterman (D-14), would overturn last year’s Illinois Supreme Court ruling that held the storage boxes built into vehicles qualified for storing unloaded firearms for lawful transportation under Illinois law.  This bill would change the law to make it more difficult to lawfully transport unloaded firearms.

House Bill 6123, introduced by State Representative Osterman (D-14), would create a confusing new felony offense for “knowingly” supplying a “street gang member” with a firearm.  A “street gang member” is defined in the Illinois Streetgang Terrorism Omnibus Prevention Act.  This legislation is undoubtedly intended to capitalize on the fears the general public has for words like “street gang” and “terrorism.”

While these are the bills most likely to be considered, please make sure your Representative understands that you do not support ANY legislation that would infringe on your rights as a law-abiding gun owner.  The Illinois General Assembly is working to adjourn by May 7, so if something is going to happen, it will likely be next week.  Please be sure to contact your State Representative as soon as possible, as often as possible, and encourage others to do the same.  Contact information can be found here.