SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Sheriff’s Association has announced its opposition to HB 5855 – which is sponsored by Representative Bob Morgan.
The proposed legislation, HB 5855 or the “Protect Illinois Communities Act,” would ban the sale, possession or manufacture of a variety of semi-automatic weapons, including any semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that can accept more than 10 rounds. It also would ban any magazine that could contain more than 10 rounds of ammunition. See the points and our position below!
– HB5855 would raise the minimum age to purchase or own a weapon from 18 to 21.
– A person under 21 years of age would be required to hunt under the supervision of an adult who possesses a valid FOID Card.
– People also would not be allowed to possess or buy magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds.
– Individuals who already own weapons that fall under the “assault weapons” definition must register those guns with the Illinois State Police between 180 and 300 days after final passage of the bill. A $25 fee will also be assessed per person.
– HB5855 allows for a State’s Attorney to act as “a friend of the court” in order to participate in the hearing, if necessary, for a Firearms Restraining Order. Current law provides for these orders to be limited to 6 months and this proposal would extend that to 1 year.
– A person who manufactures, delivers, sells, purchases, or possesses an assault weapon is guilty of a Class 3 felony for the first offense and a Class 2 felony for a second or subsequent violation or for the possession or delivery of 2 or more of these weapons at the same time
“AFTER REVIEWING THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, THE ILLINOIS SHERIFFS’ ASSOCIATION IS OPPOSED TO HB5855!
SHERIFFS SUPPORT THE RIGHTS PROVIDED UNDER THE 2ND AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AND BELIEVE THAT THIS PROPOSAL IS A CLEAR INFRINGEMENT ON THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS TO LEGALLY POSSESS THESE WEAPONS.”