Hearings set for bill to ban certain guns in Illinois

(The Middle Sq.) – Contentious debate is anticipated throughout Illinois legislative hearings over a proposed gun and journal ban.

Home Invoice 5855 from state Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Deerfield, would redefine dozens of various kinds of rifles, pistols and shotguns as “assault weapons.” If authorised, anybody who owns them would have 300 days to register them with state police. All future gross sales could be prohibited.

The measure additionally would prohibit possession of magazines with over 10 rounds. Morgan reacted to some who fear that will flip many Illiniosans into felons in a single day.

“The hassle within the laws, the intent is absolutely to cease the long run gross sales, however in fact I acknowledge, and the working group acknowledges, all of those units and these weapons, they exist in Illinois in the present day,” Morgan mentioned. “So it’s actually fascinated about it in a potential means as an alternative of penalizing those that bought them legally in Illinois.”

The measure would additionally prohibit anybody below 21 from getting a Firearm Proprietor’s Identification Card.

John Boch, govt director of the group Weapons Save Life, mentioned he’ll file a lawsuit if it is ever enacted.

“My two boys … would have their FOID playing cards revoked, though they’ve carried out nothing fallacious and neither have I,” Boch mentioned.

There could be carve outs for individuals below 21 who’re enlisted within the armed providers or for many who are with an grownup looking, Morgan mentioned.

“I believe that is an applicable suggestion to boost the age to 21,” he mentioned. “When it comes to the courts, if we listened to each worry mongering risk from the [National Rifle Association] about what’s constitutional, we might have legalized absolutely computerized weapons and hand grenades.”

The measure shall be heard in a Home committee at 11 a.m. Monday. The general public can observe alongside on the Home Video/Audio web page at ILGA.gov. One other listening to is scheduled for midday Thursday.

Lawmakers return for potential invoice passage Jan. 4. Morgan goals to get the measure authorised by Jan. 10.