Illinois: Right-to-Carry legislation Gathering Support in Springfield!

House Bill 148, the NRA-supported Right-to-Carry bill introduced by state Representative Brandon Phelps (D-118), continues to gain momentum and support, and is now on the House Floor calendar for Third Reading. This means a final vote could be taken at any time. HB 148 represents the best opportunity we have had in many years to ensure the law-abiding residents of Illinois will be able to exercise their right to self-defense away from the home, and the NRA continues to support it.

Another pro-gun bill, House Bill 265, is also on the calendar for Third Reading. This bill, introduced by state Representative John Bradley (D-117), would ensure there is a statewide standard for lawfully transporting firearms. This would eliminate the current patchwork of conflicting standards that do nothing to fight crime and only serve to ensnare otherwise law-abiding gun owners who have inadvertently crossed an imaginary boundary that has suddenly made their transportation of a firearm illegal.

Also on Third Reading is House Bill 264, which was also introduced by Representative Bradley. This legislation would prohibit municipalities from requiring anything more than a Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID) for possessing a firearm.

Unfortunately, there are also some anti-gun bills that are poised for a vote.  House Bill 1871, introduced by state Representative Carol Sente (D-59), seeks to ban standard-capacity magazines that can hold more than ten rounds of ammunition. This legislation is also on the House calendar for Third Reading.

Another anti-gun bill scheduled for Third Reading is House Bill 1296, introduced by state Representative Harry Osterman (D-14). This bill would ban most private transfers of firearms, and require such transfers to be processed through a licensed firearm dealer.

Finally, House Bill 1294, introduced by state Representative Edward Acevedo (D-2), seeks to ban countless semi-automatic handguns, rifles, and shotguns, a number of parts for the same, as well as .50 cal. rifles and ammunition. This bill is also on Third Reading.

Please contact your state Representative and urge him or her to support HB 148, HB 264, and HB 265, and to oppose HB 1294, HB 1296 and HB 1871. To locate your state Representative’s contact information, please click here.