Governor J.B. Pritzker signed legislation that enacts an extensive ban on firearms in Illinois. The new law caps the sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines, bans “switches” that allow handguns to fire rounds automatically, and “extends the ability of courts to prevent dangerous individuals from possessing a gun through firearm restraining orders.”
The ban goes into effect immediately and will not require those who currently own such weapons to relinquish them, though people who already possess semi-automatic rifles will be required to register their ownership.
“No Illinoisan, no matter their zip code, should have to go through life fearing their loved one could be the next in an ever-growing list of victims of mass shootings. However, for too long, people have lived in fear of being gunned down in schools, while worshipping, at celebrations or in their own front yards,” Pritzker said in a statement. “This legislation will stop the spread of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches and make our state a safer place for all.”
Prior to being sent to Pritzker’s desk, the bill was approved by votes of 34-20 in the state Senate on Monday and 68-41 in the House on Tuesday. Democrats are in charge of both chambers.
“This assault weapons ban is a step in the right direction, to improve safety for Illinois’ families and law enforcement but there’s no magic fix, no single law that will end gun violence once and for all. So, we must keep fighting, voting and protesting to ensure future generations will only have to read about massacres like Highland Park, Sandy Hook or Uvalde in their history books,” Pritzker said on Tuesday.