Illinois Assault Weapon Ban Takes Aim At Hunting Firearms
Chicago, IL –-(AmmoLand.com)- An “assault weapon” ban currently pending in Illinois would prohibit many commonly used hunting firearms and could be up for a vote at any time on the Statehouse floor.
The measure, House Bill 5751 introduced by Representative Edward Acevedo (D-Chicago), would prohibit the manufacture, delivery, sale, purchase or possession of semi-automatic “assault weapons.” The bill defines assault weapon to include many firearms that are commonly used for hunting such as semi-automatic shotguns that have either a pistol grip or a thumbhole stock.
The bill does allow for the continued possession of banned firearms that are owned before the ban takes effect but would not allow the purchase or transfer of new firearms that are on the list. Additionally, HB 5751 includes an exemption for the possession of a banned firearm if it is used solely for hunting.
However, this exemption does not provide adequate protection for sportsmen who might also use that same firearm for recreational or target shooting.
“This legislation casts an extraordinarily wide net catching many firearms that sportsmen commonly use,” said Evan Heusinkveld, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) director of state services.
“Illinois sportsmen are making their voice heard and we hope that the House will understand the damaging effects of this measure.”
The USSA has already issued an action alert to sportsmen in Illinois alerting them of the need to immediately contact their state representatives.
About:
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.