Illinois House approves assault weapons ban, bill heads to state Senate

Within the wake of the Highland Park bloodbath, the Illinois Home on Friday authorised a invoice which might ban the sale, manufacture, supply and buy of assault weapons. The invoice is predicted to move the state Senate and be signed by Gov. J. B. Pritzker this week.

It will ban the sale and possession of assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition like these used within the July 4 Highland Park parade taking pictures which killed seven individuals and wounded dozens extra.

The suspect within the assault, 21-year-old Robert E. Crimo III – who prosecutors stated opened fireplace onto the parade from a rooftop — has been charged with greater than 100 felony counts, together with homicide and tried homicide.

Below the invoice, those that already personal weapons on the banned listing can maintain them, however would wish to register them with Illinois State Police inside 300 days. 

Lauren Bennett, who was on the parade together with her household, was shot twice, however survived.  

“And I used to be fortunate, as a result of I obtained out of there alive,” Bennett advised CBS Information this week. “A centimeter in any course and I would not be right here speaking to you.”

The invoice had been debated for years, however discovered renewed assist following the Highland Park taking pictures. Bennett was amongst those that testified at a listening to with state lawmakers final month in assist of it.  

“I am hoping we will save lives,” Bennett advised CBS Information of her determination to talk out. “I am hoping one other parade is not the location of one other mass taking pictures.”

In July, simply weeks after the assault, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering testified earlier than Congress, calling for a federal assault weapons ban.

“You need to ask your self, ‘Why do our legal guidelines allow anyone to have the ability to shoot 83 rounds in underneath a minute?” Rotering advised CBS Information this week.

“We have to cease speaking about our gun tradition and discuss our human rights, our proper to stay free from concern of violence,” Rotering stated.

Jackie Sundheim, 63, was one of many seven individuals killed within the Highland Park taking pictures.

“For me, there’s only a large gap in my coronary heart, gap in my life,” her husband, Bruce Sundheim, advised CBS Information, as he and their daughter, Leah Sundheim, sat down for his or her first interview for the reason that homicide.

“It is simply the sheer affect of how many individuals knew her and he or she touched,” Leah stated.

“As a society, now we have to get to a spot the place somebody cannot simply get up and say, ‘I’ll exit and shoot 50 strangers,’” Bruce stated.