Fairfax, VA –-(Ammoland.com)- Yesterday, the Illinois Senate Environment and Conservation Committee defeated Senate Bill 1858 with a 4 to 6 vote.
SB 1858 was drafted to create a total ban on the sale or offer for sale of ivory or products containing ivory, regardless of provenance.
As written, the bill would have significantly diminished the value of legally obtained firearms containing any ivory, even if that ivory was legally purchased or is a bona fide antique.
The proposed language harmed those who have no part in illegal ivory trade activities, including firearm owners, sportsmen, hunters, recreational shooters and gun collectors who have legally purchased firearms (and knives, jewelry and other items) that have incorporated ivory features for decades.
Historically, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service maintained the position that most ivory in the U.S. has been legally imported and that its sale in the U.S. did not materially contribute to the illegal ivory trade.
Your NRA-ILA will keep you updated as other firearm-related bills progress through the legislative process.
About:
Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Visit: www.nra.org
There should BE no “illegal ivory trade”. It should ALL be legal.
Pursue poachers in the countries of origin, and leave the rest of us ALONE.