State Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) responds to the proposed assault weapon ban in Illinois, saying the Democrats are “virtue-signaling” rather than working to make communities safer.
“The 2nd Amendment is a cornerstone of our freedoms,” Plummer stated. “If the majority party of Illinois made half the effort going after violent criminals and supporting our law enforcement that they do badgering and threatening law-abiding gun owners, all Illinois communities would be much safer and more livable. Of course, this is Springfield and, rather than pursuing effective policies to benefit all Illinoisans, there are some people here who have made a career out of virtue-signaling and advocating for the passage of clearly unconstitutional laws. Here we go again.”
The proposed bill - House Bill 5855 - was introduced by Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Highwood) on Dec. 1.
According to the bill, it would amend the Illinois State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois by eliminating provisions that would allow anyone under the age of 21 who are not active in the military to obtain a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) Card with parental consent. Individuals who are under the age of 21 and seek to obtain a FOID card must be “engaged in the operation of their official duties” for the United States Armed Forces or the Illinois National Guard, if the bill becomes law.
The bill also states that anyone under the age of 21 who wishes to hunt would have to do so under the supervision of an adult who is over the age of 21 and possesses a valid FOID card.
Further, any individual with a developmental or intellectual disability would not be able to obtain a FOID card if the bill becomes law.
If passed, the bill would also prohibit the manufacture, delivery, sale, purchase or possession of large capacity feeding devices for firearms, assault weapons, .50 caliber rifles and .50 caliber cartridges.
“Assault weapon” is described as a “semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that can accept a detachable magazine” and has a folding or telescoping stock, a forward pistol grip, a flash suppressor, a grenade or flare launcher or a grip which would allow “any finger on the trigger hand in addition to the trigger finger being directly below any portion of the action of the weapon when firing.”
The bill lists dozens of pistols, rifles and shotguns that would be prohibited, including the AR15, Ak-47, and various Springfield Armory rifles. A complete list of the weapons that would be banned under the proposed law can be found beginning on page 52 of the bill.
According to the bill, an assault weapon would not include a firearm that is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever or slide action; an inoperable or unserviceable firearm; an antique firearm; a firearm that uses rimfire ammunition or cartridges; or is excluded as an assault weapon by the Department of Natural Resources.
Anyone who currently possesses a listed assault weapon or .50 caliber rifle registered with the Illinois State Police will have 300 days to transfer the weapon.
The bill also states that if it becomes law, anyone who knowingly manufactures, delivers, sells, purchases or possesses a banned weapon would be committing a Class 3 felony for the first violation and a Class 2 felony for a subsequent violation.