Semiautomatic Firearms Ban: Semiautomatic firearms banned by Illinois Supreme Court for mass shootings.
Friday’s high court ruling upheld the Protect Our Communities Act’s compliance with federal equal protection legislation and the state constitution’s special laws provision.
The court ruled that Republican state Rep. Dan Caulkins of Decatur and other Macon County gun owners had abandoned their Second Amendment claim. Supreme Court won’t consider this case. Caulkins’ lawyer disagrees.
Federal appeals courts are still reviewing Second Amendment claims in southern Illinois.
Illegal guns exist.50-cal firearms, attachments, fast firing. Handguns hold 14 rounds, rifles 9. Georgetown University predicts 25 million AR-15 owners by 2021.
Exceptions exist. State police must record all live weapons owned before January 10 by January 1, 2024. Seven “trained professionals,” including police, military, correctional workers, and security guards, can handle these guns.
Caulkins stated that those who sued and won exemptions are “in the same position” as they all have FOID cards and Second Amendment protection. The U.S. Supreme Court allowed gun ownership for self-defense in 2022. The ban made them less safe.
Justice Rochford said it was improper because grandfathered gun users are treated equally. You can’t use guns for work with a FOID card.
Rochford said, “The equal protection clause ensures equal treatment for people in similar situations unless the government has a valid reason to treat them differently.” She showed that goal-oriented laws impact groups.
READ MORE: Supreme Court Halts Purdue Pharma: Sackler Family Opioid Case Explained Settlement
Jerrold Stocks, Caulkins’s lawyer, proposed a Supreme Court appeal.
Democrat J.B. Pritzker signed the Protect Our Communities Act in Jan. Highland Park mass shooting in 2022 killed seven and injured others. County sheriffs ignored the injunction due to gun rights supporters’ opposition.
Pritzker called it a “commonsense gun reform law” as it prohibits public carry.
Justice Mary K. O’Brien disagreed with the fifth. Former cops keeping guns was unfair.
GOP Lisa White and David Overstreet disagreed in a letter. The Legislature’s violation invalidated the rule. This addresses gun control concerns.
Holder White focused on the Constitution. If the Legislature fails to preserve the Constitution and obey these provisions, the court must.
Our Reader’s Queries
Which semi-automatic guns are banned?
In California, certain assault weapons are prohibited by name, including the Beretta AR-70, Springfield Armory BM59 and SAR-48, Steyer AUG, Sterling MK-6, and the Bushmaster Assault Rifle.
What is the weapons ban in 2023?
This legislation criminalizes the intentional import, sales, production, transfer, or ownership of a semiautomatic assault weapon (SAW) or large capacity ammunition feeding device (LCAFD).
Is there a ban on fully automatic weapons?
Newly made machine guns are not allowed by federal law, but machine guns made before May 19, 1986 can be transferred with approval from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.
Are AR-15 still banned in Illinois?
Illinois law limits the buying and selling of semi-automatic “assault weapons” like AR-15 and AK-47 rifles, as well as large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. These devices are defined as a magazine that can hold over 10 rounds of ammo for long guns and over 15 rounds for handguns.