Democrats In Illinois Push Further Gun Ban

Illinois Senate Democrats pressed forward with new gun ban laws in the last days of protest. They advanced legislation late Wednesday to restrict semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity magazines, much like Washington, D.C., as no doubt Meet the Press reporter David Gregory is now fully aware.

Looking out for their own, the Illinois State Rifle Association issued an “urgent alert” to members warning them that Democratic legislators were trying to push a last-minute law:

“There would be no exemptions and no grandfathering. You would have a very short window to turn in your guns to the state police and avoid prosecution.”

Though a Senate committee approved two bills already, Democratic supporters are still challenging the full Senate. One ban would be the possession, delivery, sale and transfer of semiautomatic handguns and rifles. People who currently own such weapons could keep the guns as long as they have them registered, says Human Events. The bill would only allow semiautomatic weapons to be used at shooting ranges under strict regulation.

National Rifle Association lobbyist Todd Vandermyde told legislators the bill would restrict most guns in circulation today. He also said law-abiding gun owners would be treated like criminals, in conflict with Second Amendment rights upheld by the courts. Vandermyde says:

“I’ve never seen a piece of legislation that tramples on so many court decisions.”

The other bill, submitted by Democratic state Senator Dan Kotowski, would limit ammunition magazines to 10 or less rounds.

Illinois Gun manufactures have already threatened to leave the area if such new legislation is approved. ArmaLite owner Mark Westrom told Fox News that he’s prepared to move his operation if gun control laws in Illinois are pushed through.

Are the lawmakers going too far in the push on gun laws in the wake of the recent shootings?