CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Lawmakers in Springfield have approved a measure that would immediately ban the sale of assault weapons in Illinois, among other things and it’s not sitting well with the state’s rifle association.
Richard Pearson, Executive Director of the Illinois State Rifle Association, calls the measure, approved by the House and now moving to the Senate, an “unconstitutional overreach.”
“Gun owners have done their part in Illinois,” he said. “The crime rate among actual gun owners is so low, it’s almost not measurable. The legal gun owner isn’t the problem. The problem is the criminal gun owner, and this bill does nothing to address the criminal gun owner.”
While it would ban the sale of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines that hold more than 12 rounds, Pearson said the measure doesn’t address things like mental health or changes in the court system.
“We have to actually punish the people who are committing the crimes and leave the law-abiding citizens alone.”
Those who already own assault weapons would be able to legally keep their firearms by registering them with the Illinois State Police within 300 days of the law taking effect.
If the legislation clears the Illinois Senate, Pearson said the association will immediately challenge it in court.
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