SPRINGFIELD – Adding to the drama of #NationalWalkOutDay – a movement against guns and the National Rifle Association being promoted by gun control activists in the nation's high schools – the Illinois Senate is considering several gun control measures Wednesday at the State Capitol.
In addition to passing a ban on bump stocks that includes allowing municipalities to ban certain long guns, the Senate passed a measure that would ban 18 to 21 year olds from buying semi-automatic weapons.
When the Illinois Senate passed HB 1465, raising the age to 21 to buy assault weapons, cheers arose from the gun control activists in the gallery. Another man opposing the measure was escorted out for shouting, an observer reported.
Passing, 32-22-2, HB 1465 will now proceed to the Governor for his consideration. Tuesday, Governor Rauner vetoed a measure requiring state licensing of gun dealers.
The National Rifle Association has filed a lawsuit against a similar measure passed in Florida last week.
In 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in District of Columbia v. Hellerthat the Second Amendment guarantees the “individual right to possess and carry” firearms and “elevates above all other interests the right of law-abiding, responsible citizens to use arms in defense of hearth and home.” The decision put gun ownership on the same constitutional plain as free speech, religious freedom and other core rights.
Here's the IL Senate roll call for HB 1465:
