Illinois: Committees to Hear Gun Control

Today, the Illinois state House Judiciary-Criminal Committee will be considering a floor amendment that was added to House Bill 1470 to ration the exercise of Second Amendment rights. In addition, the state Senate Judiciary Committee will consider bills that would impose draconian criminal penalties for the possession of certain firearm accessories and a bill that would allow localities to infringe upon Second Amendment rights.  Please contact committee members and urge them to OPPOSE HA 1 to HB 1470, SA 1 to SB 2343, SB 2247, and SB 2314.  Click the “Take Action” button below to contact committee members.

House Amendment 1 to House Bill 1470, sponsored by Representative Luis Arroyo (D-3), would arbitrarily limit law-abiding citizens to one handgun purchase a month.  There is little evidence for the effectiveness of gun rationing laws.  Existing Multiple Purchase Reporting Forms already alert the BATFE about every multiple handgun transaction, and they along with local law enforcement can use those forms to focus on genuinely suspicious transactions, such as repeated purchases of large quantities by an individual.  (Sign witness slip for 1470)

Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2343, sponsored by Senator Kwame Raoul (D-13), and Senate Bill 2247, sponsored by Senator Chris Nybo (R-24), would make it a non-probationable Class 2 felony with a minimum sentence of three years imprisonment to merely sell, manufacture, purchase, possess, or carry certain firearm accessories.  If these accessories are attached to a loaded firearm, it would be a Class X felony punishable by 6-30 years imprisonment.  These penalties are quite excessive and would do nothing to improve the enforcement of existing laws that already prohibit criminals from possessing or carrying firearms.  (Sign witness slip for 2247)

Senate Bill 2314, sponsored by Senator Julie Morrison (D-29), would repeal the firearm preemption law that has been in place since 2013.  Firearm preemption laws ensure that fundamental Second Amendment rights are not diluted or distorted through controversial local policies and help prevent a confusing patchwork of gun control laws which make it difficult for gun owners to ensure that they are following the law.  Furthermore, Second Amendment rights are guaranteed to all citizens, regardless of where they live.  (Sign witness slip for 2314)

Again, please contact committee members and urge them to OPPOSE HA 1 to HB 1470, SA 1 to SB 2343, SB 2247, and SB 2314.