State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) offered the following comments after a proposed ban on handguns and semi-automatic long guns began working its way through the Illinois Senate yesterday.
“Hundreds of northern Illinois constituents have contacted my office about the proposal, which would ban literally every type of firearm except single-shot arms and double-barreled shotguns. I reaffirm my stance on the Second Amendment: I support sportsmen, gun owners, and law abiding citizen’s basic right of self-protection,” Syverson said. “Sadly, this legislation does not address the real societal problems that have been magnified by the recent mass shootings in Colorado or Connecticut.”
Syverson’s comments follow the Illinois Senate’s action on House Bills 1263 and 815. HB 1263 would ban the manufacture, sale and possession of most semi-automatic handguns, rifles and shotguns. HB 815 would ban the purchase of capacity ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 shells.
“During previous legislative sessions we have seen ‘assault’ weapons bans, but this legislation would be the strictest of any state in the country, and when combined with the magazine bans would be the most comprehensive assault on our Second Amendment rights to date,” Syverson said.
The legislation also goes after shooting ranges. A portion of the proposal would allow the state to set new regulations, rules, and fees for operating ranges.
Syverson stressed that assault weapons bans have not worked in any community or state where they have been tried. He stressed the state’s efforts should be concentrated on the underlying causes of these criminal acts as well as enforcing the current laws on the books.
