Illinois bans 'sale, manufacture, or delivery' of military-style arms

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
11 Jan 2023 13:23

Illinois becomes the ninth state to adopt a version of the ban on guns.

Assault weapons on display in a US gun store

The American state of Illinois issued a ban on the sale, manufacturing, or delivery of assault rifles, in addition to high-capacity magazines, Axios reported on Wednesday.

The new law will require current military-style gun owners to have them registered.

Illinois' new gun regulation comes after 21-year-old Robert Crimo III went on a shooting spree during a July 4 parade last year in the state's Highland Park, claiming the lives of seven people and injuring dozens.

Dozens of assault-grade rifles were banned according to the law, including the AR-15 type weapon used by the shooter in Highland Park.

The law went into effect after being signed by Governor JB Pritzker on Tuesday, making Illinois the ninth US state to issue a version of the gun ban.

According to the report, state voters largely aligned with their political affiliation, having almost all Republicans voting against the ban and every Democrat voting in favor, with "a notable exception".

Republicans argued that the ban is unconstitutional and rejected claims that it will contribute to lowering crime rates.

Republican Jim Durkin, an outgoing GOP, voted "yes" for the ban, while four Democrats in the Senate voted against it and three abstained.

The state's police are permitted to include new assault weapons to the list, the news site noted.

With regard to high-capacity magazines, the new legislation limits rifle mags to 10 rounds and pistols to 15.

Within the same context, the report added that a bill proposed earlier to raise the minimum age for firearm ownership identification cards (FOID) was dismissed.

Protect Illinois Communities President Becky Carroll said the legislation will "help save lives and reduce the trauma inflicted upon communities across our state."

"That's something we can all be proud of."

Outgoing Republican Illinois Senator Darren Bailey warned, "I and millions of other gun owners in this state will not comply."