Politicians across state react after Gov. Pritzker signs Illinois assault weapon ban into law
IL assault weapon ban 2023 victory for some, others will fight it
CHICAGO (WLS) -- People across the state are reacting after Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law banning the sale of assault weapons in Illinois Tuesday.
It's a victory for some, but there are others who will fight it.
With the governor's signature, the law takes effect immediately.
It bans the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, along with rapid-fire devices.
Pritzker said the law will save countless lives.
Other supporters said the law is overdue and will start to reverse decades of escalating gun violence.
But opponents of the law said it unfairly penalizes many of the 2.4 million legal gun owners in Illinois.
"It's a huge overreach; it really chokes people's second amendment rights," said Richard Pearson, Illinois State Rifle Association executive director.
The group said they will plan to fight in court.
The law will ban the sale, delivery and purchase of dozens of assault-style weapons, any firearms currently owned must be registered with state police.
Long gun magazines are capped at 10 rounds, and, for handguns, 15 rounds.
Illinois State Police sent a letter to gun dealerships, informing them of the law's passage.
The mayor of Highland Park released a statement, saying in part, "Banning assault weapons has proven to be effective at curbing gun violence. ... This important step taken by our Illinois legislators sends a clear message to other states and the federal government that we need continued bold action to address mass shootings across our nation."
Republicans said this law will make law-abiding taxpayers and gun owners felons, and they plan to defy it.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also released a statement, saying:
"Illinois has now become the ninth state across America to pass an assault weapons ban and take bold action to keep weapons of war off America's streets. Today, President Biden commends the leadership of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, House Speaker Chris Welch, Senate President Don Harmon, Representative Bob Morgan, and the numerous advocates, survivors, and elected officials whose tireless efforts turned the pain of Highland Park and other acts of gun violence into meaningful action on behalf of all Illinoisans.
"Too many Americans across the country continue to lose their lives or their loved ones to gun violence. This is why President Biden has taken historic action to reduce gun violence, including signing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act -- the first significant piece of gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years - into law last summer. The President has continued to press for more action to keep our homes, schools and communities safe, including federal laws requiring background checks for all gun sales and a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. In the meantime, he continues to urge other states to join California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Delaware, Washington, D.C. - and now, Illinois -- to ban assault weapons at the state level to save lives."
