Carbondale Reporter

In a Jan. 20 Facebook post, Rep. Patrick Windhorst issued a statement on the restraining order against the newly-signed gun control law.

“As I have stated from the first introduction of this firearms ban in early December, this sweeping attempt to ban firearms in common use and to force law-abiding citizens to register their weapons with the government in order to exercise their rights is unconstitutional,” he said on Facebook.

Many law-abiding Texans also feel their state’s government overreaching as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said he wanted data from the Texas Department of Public Safety to identify transgender individuals in the state, the Rollingstone reported.

Windhorst was first elected to the Illinois House in 2018. A Republican, their legislative experience includes serving on the Restorative Justice Committee and Judiciary - Criminal. Windhorst is a state representative who resides in Metropolis, according to the Illinois House.

The Rollingstone added there isn’t a clear reason for Paxton’s request but his work with Texas Governor Greg Abbott to investigate families of trans youths after Abbott claimed gender affirming care is a potential form of child abuse.

Windhorst's statment continued on his website, which he linked to his Facebook post. it read: “I strongly support the decision and am encouraged by today’s temporary restraining order entered in Effingham County. We know this case will likely be appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court. This law was also challenged this week in federal court by the Illinois State Rifle Association. I would encourage 2nd Amendment supporters to stay up to date on further court actions.”

“Today’s story out of Texas is chilling,” Human Rights Campaign Legal Director Sarah Warbelow said in a statement provided to Rolling Stone. “Weaponizing state agencies and their public records to pinpoint and single out transgender Texans is terrifying, albeit not shocking. Throughout 2022, Attorney General Paxton, along with Governor Abbott, have stopped at nothing to attack the very existence of transgender youth and adults. This development shows how far they’re willing to go in discriminating against transgender people.”  

Also called the "Protect Illinois Community Act," the amended House Bill 5471 clarifies what high capacity magazines are banned. Magazines with more than 10 rounds are banned for long guns, and magazines with more than 15 rounds are banned for handguns.

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) noted that gun violence should be considered a public health epidemic. Stanford University wrote that studies showed states with tighter policies save lives.

ABC7 reported that Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the bill on Jan. 10, and it would go into effect immediately after it was signed. Assault weapons, high capacity magazines and rapid fire devices are banned by the new law. https://abc7chicago.com/illinois-assault-weapons-ban-bill-2023/12683807/

“Family physicians care for victims of gun violence and their families every day,” AAFP wrote. “These physicians, who witness the substantial impact firearm-related violence has on the health of their patients, families, and communities, have the power to help improve the safety and wellbeing of those groups.”

On Jan. 20, an Effingham County Judge, Joshua Morrison, has granted a temporary restraining order against the newly passed law, which affects 866 plaintiffs in the lawsuit brought by attorney Thomas DeVore. Plaintiffs in the case include Effingham's own Accuracy Firearms LLC.

Pew Research reported that approximately 48% of Americans feel that gun violence is a major issue.

On Attorney Thomas DeVore's law office web page, he shared the documents pertaining to this temporary restraining order. The documents include the complaint which lists all 866 plaintiffs, a notice of hearing, and other documents, including a copy of the temporary restraining order. Those documents can be found here.