Carbondale Reporter

State Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) is asking for help in opposing a sweeping gun control measure currently being debated in the House Judiciary Committee. 

According to Bryant, reports were already beginning to circulate "that the IL Democrats have the votes to pass this Bill in the January Lame Duck Session.”  

“I’m really going to need your help to fight against this one!! Please share this so we can get the word out,” Bryant saidon Facebook. “This IL House Bill was filed yesterday. HB5855 The same legislative body that just did away with cash bail and pre-trial detainment for a whole host of crimes now wishes to strip the law-abiding of their rights and property.” 

Bryant noted that if enacted, HB 5855 would prohibit "[T]he manufacture, delivery, sale, purchase, or possession of large capacity ammunition feeding devices (10 or more rounds) is illegal,” and the “Manufacture, possession, delivery, sale, and purchase of assault weapons (any semiautomatic rifles, pistols and shotguns and magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, .50 caliber firearms and switches that are designed to increase a gun's rate of fire) is illegal.”

“Only weapons personally owned before the effective date are exempt and must be registered with the State Police( $25 fee for each gun),” she said. “Prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from obtaining a FOID card. If hunting and under the age of 21 you must be accompanied with someone 21 or older that has a valid FOID.” 

House Minority leader Tony McCombie (R-Sterling) said the bill is unconstitutional. She told Prairie State Wire that “While HB 5855 is likely far from in its final form, the constitutionality of the bill will certainly go before the courts.” McCombie sits on the Rules Committee which will see the debate of the bill in three public hearings on Dec. 14 and 19. The committee already had its first hearing on Dec. 12.

HB5855 would make the possession of several types of firearms and accessories as illegal. 

According to the bill's synopsis, it “Makes it unlawful to manufacture, deliver, sell, or purchase or cause to be manufactured, delivered, sold, or purchased or cause to be possessed by another, an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge. Makes it unlawful for any person to knowingly possess an assault weapon, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge 300 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, except possession of weapons registered with the Illinois State Police in the time provided. Provides exemptions and penalties. Prohibits the manufacture, delivery, sale, purchase, or possession of large capacity ammunition feeding devices.”

Illinois State Rifle Association executive Director Richard Pearson said the bill would outlaw commonly owned weapons and as such would criminalize many average Illinoisans. “HB5855 bans over 100 types of common rifles, pistols, and shotguns that many people own,” Pearson said.