A deal has been reached on legislation banning assault weapons.
The bill passed the Senate on a 34-20 vote. It bans the manufacture and sale of certain firearms, rapid fire devices and 50 caliber rifles. It limits magazines in long guns to 10 and handguns can hold 15 rounds. Senate President Don Harmon presented the measure.
“The weapons on this list are designed to do one thing and one thing only. Kill people in vicious ways. This will not solve the problem, but this is a step in the absolute right direction.”
Senator Darren Bailey of Xenia argued that this is unconstitutional.
“Friends, you’ve got to know that the actions you are taking right now are tyrannous. You must also know that I and millions of other gun owners in this state will not comply.”
The legislation requires those currently owning an assault-style rifle to register the serial number with the state police. It also extends firearm restraining orders from six months to one year.
The Senate’s plan differs slightly from the version the House OK’d last week, but after objections from House Democrats, Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch joined Pritzker and Senate President Don Harmon in a statement confirming House concurrence Tuesday, which would send the matter to Pritzker.
