2A NEWSLETTER: WEEK OF JANUARY 12TH

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1% OF ILLINOIS GUN OWNERS COMPLY WITH ‘ASSAULT WEAPONS’ REGISTRATION

Illinois’ attempt to enforce an assault weapons ban, particularly targeting AR-15s and similar firearms, has met with a notable level of non-compliance from gun owners. According to the Illinois State Police (ISP), fewer than 30,000 out of approximately 2.4 million Firearms Owner Identification (FOID) card holders registered their firearms as required by the new law. This figure, representing just 1.2% of the state’s documented gun owners, signifies a strong stance against what many perceive as an infringement on their constitutional rights.

The Protect Illinois Communities Act, which became effective at the start of 2024, classifies numerous semi-automatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns as “assault weapons” and prohibits their possession, sale, and manufacture. The law also restricts attachments, ammunition magazine capacity and outlaws certain calibers. Non-compliance with the registration requirement leads to misdemeanor charges, and manufacturing or selling these firearms is now a felony. However, the law has been met with resistance not just from citizens, but also from law enforcement officials, with several county sheriffs openly refusing to enforce it.

Illinois is not alone in facing resistance to gun control measures. Similar patterns have emerged in other states like New York and California, indicating a broader trend of reluctance among gun owners to comply with bans and registration requirements. This resistance reflects a deep-seated belief in the sanctity of the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms.

The assault weapons ban in Illinois has also ignited legal challenges. While initial rulings found the law unconstitutional, appeals courts have overturned these decisions, leading to a complex and ongoing legal battle. The focus is now on the registry requirement, with a federal judge recently ordering an expedited hearing to review it on its merits.