* Background is here if you need it. Peter Hancock…
A legislative committee on Thursday heard more witnesses call for a ban on high-power, semi-automatic rifles and large-capacity magazines, but some experts said that alone won’t solve the problem of violent crime in Illinois.
During its second hearing on a proposed assault weapon ban, an Illinois House committee, meeting in Chicago, heard from several officials who said public investment in marginalized communities and community-based programs that aim to stop cycles of violence also are needed. […]
Adams spoke during a House Judiciary-Criminal Committee hearing on House Bill 5855, sponsored by Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Deerfield. It would ban the sale and possession of “assault weapons,” .50 caliber rifles, .50 caliber cartridges and high-capacity magazines. The bill provides a long list of firearms, both rifles and pistols, that would fall under the definition of “assault weapons.”
And starting 300 days after the bill takes effect, it would make it illegal to possess such a weapon or ammunition unless it is registered with the Illinois State Police.
* AP…
“The goal is to make sure we’re keeping dangerous weapons from those who shouldn’t have them,” said the measure’s sponsor, Rep. Bob Morgan, a Democrat from the Chicago suburb of Deerfield who attended the Highland Park parade. […]
People under age 21 currently can obtain a Firearm Owners Identification card with the consent of a parent or guardian, but the measure would prohibit those under 21 who are not in the military from getting the card. They could hunt under the supervision of a guardian who has a gun owner ID.
A court-ordered Firearm Restraining Order could be issued for a year, instead of six months. The bill would also bolster the power of the Illinois State Police to target trafficking of illegal guns from outside state lines, working with federal authorities.
Rep. Tony McCombie, a Republican from the western Illinois city of Savannah, said rather than protect communities, the plan would jeopardize safety.
“This will leave communities, women unprotected,” said McCombie, who will be the House Minority Leader when a new Legislature is seated next month. “They’ll be unprotected and ultimately victimized. This is ineffective and unconstitutional.”
* The Center Square…
While supporting the measure, Joseph Saunders with Brave Youth Group said at the crux of the issue is the hearts of bad actors.
“They gonna go with bats, they’re gonna go with knives, anything that they can pick up, screwdrivers, like they do in the penitentiary,” Saunders said. “I’m talking about a heart and a mind change.” […]
Alongside other opponents speaking as individuals, Andrew Guadarrama laid out recent U.S. Supreme Court precedent that he said would block any kind of widespread gun and magazine ban.
“Most handguns are 10-plus [bullets in a magazine],” Guadarrama told the committee. “This severely restricts access to firearms, which has already been ruled unconstitutional.”
* WMBD…
Despite the name, the Protect Illinois Communities Act, some critics said it doesn’t provide much protection. […]
But a majority of those who testified, including advocacy groups, researchers, grassroots organizations, community outreach workers, parents and gun violence survivors, all embraced this proposal for possible change.
Maria Pike, a member of Moms Demand Action, lost her son to gun violence and said the contents of House Bill 5855 could have made a difference in recent mass shootings. […]
Supporters also said this bill is a step in the right direction, but it’s not an overall solution to the problem.
They said more resources and funding for community outreach groups and violence prevention are needed throughout the state.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly is expected to testify during next Tuesday’s hearing.
* More…
* Patch | Duckworth Holds Video Call With Highland Park High School Students: The Illinois Democrat and combat veteran has long been a supporter of a ban on assault-style weapons like the AR-15 and similar semiautomatic rifles. “From their portability, accuracy, rate of fire ability to penetrate certain body armor and ease of reloading, both the military-issued M4 Carbine and the civilian AR-15, and its variants, are functionally similar and they are designed for combat. The lack of a three-round burst or full-auto mechanism does not meaningfully reduce the AR-15’s lethality compared to the M4,” Duckworth testified at a Senate hearing following the Highland Park massacre.
* St Louis Dispatch | To combat gun violence, East St. Louis artist turns ammunition into art: Each year since he was 17, Ash has lost at least one friend or relative to gun violence. That includes his cousin Dashaun “Bookie” Gage, 28, who died in 2018 in a shooting in front of a gas station across the Mississippi River in St. Louis. Ash and Gage were close. Losing Gage left Ash so traumatized that he stopped going to that gas station. He turned to his art after the shooting, creating a portrait of Gage the same year. “My art saved my life,” Ash said. “There’s so much other stuff that I could have gotten off into.”
* KFVS | Marion Jr. High students learn importance of mental health with help from ‘Pawfficer Gary’: A southern Illinois police department is using man’s best friend to help teach 7th graders the importance of understanding mental health and knowing that many of us sometimes have the blues. Marion Police Officer Jason Plichta and his four legged partner, Gary, are regular visitors at Marion Jr. High.
- sulla - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 10:43 am:
The ten round magazine limit is possibly the most infuriating thing about this whole misguided mess. Virtually all semi-auto pistols hold more than 10 rounds. This law is going to render illegal millions of dollars of private property held by law-abiding citizens.
I wrote my check to ISRA this week to fight this nonsense.
- Lurker - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 10:59 am:
With the severely outspoken SCOTUS, I’m surprised one of them has not ridiculed this by now.
- Norseman - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 11:04 am:
The MAGA GOP knows that women can’t be safe without having their AR-15 or .50 cal weapon at the ready.
- low level - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 11:41 am:
And we still have not heard much if anything from Senators. They are sure there is enough time before sine die adjournment?
- Papa2008 - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 11:48 am:
Since this current group of legislators is insistent on paying millions to defend the inevitable lawsuits this act will create, I also sent off my check to ISRA. I certainly wish our tax dollars were headed to improve the state of mental health treatment in Illinois instead, but so be it. I’ll continue to make my personal charitable contributions to private organizations to try to make a difference.
- low level - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 11:56 am:
==I certainly wish our tax dollars were headed to improve the state of mental health treatment in Illinois ==
Papa2008, I’m looking forward to the ISRA filing witness slips in favor of increased appropriations for psychiatric treatment in Illinois. Maybe the East Bloc and others will join them. I’m not holding my breath, however.
- @misterjayem - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 12:02 pm:
“A southern Illinois police department is using man’s best friend to help teach 7th graders the importance of understanding mental health and knowing that many of us sometimes have the blues.”
Very nice — but how much better for these children if some police funding were redirected to someone well-qualified to teach about adolescence mental health?
– MrJM
- JS Mill - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 12:15 pm:
===I certainly wish our tax dollars were headed to improve the state of mental health treatment in Illinois ===
File that statement under “We like to talk a good game” because there is no evidence of any action to actually promote that position.
What exactly has the ISRA done to promote improved mental health treatment in Illinois? Asking for a friend.
- Google Is Your Friend - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 12:19 pm:
- Lurker - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 10:59 am:
Don’t worry, if a bill is passed and enacted, and there is a lawsuit that works its way to SCOTUS, Alito will leak the decision early like he’s been doing for years.
- CapObserver - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 1:01 pm:
**They are sure there is enough time before sine die adjournment?**
They only need a couple of hours. Of course there’s time. Yes, this is currently on a house bill. But, also, yes, they can easily move this to a different vehicle and move it very quickly.
- Occasionally Moderated - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 1:49 pm:
Dear AP,
Savannah is in Georgia. Savanna is in Illinois.
And there is no “P” in Thomson except during Watermelon Days.
- Occasionally Moderated - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 1:52 pm:
You can thank me later for the Carroll County humor. Don’t forget to tip your waitress.
- Candy Dogood - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 2:02 pm:
===on a proposed assault weapon ban===
There will be other opportunities to address this, I am sure, but something that seems to be missing from consideration is the question as to whether or not a Governor who signs this bill, especially as it currently stands, would ever win a general election for President of the United States in states like Pennsylvania, Arizona, North Carolina just to name a few. While we play these will he or won’t he games, we should throw a national lense on some of these issues.
This bill is unconstitutional as it currently stands. SCOTUS will knock most of it down under current stare decisis. Signing a bill like thus into law doesn’t seem very presidential.
I’m sure the Governor doesn’t read this comments section, but he needs someone in his inner circle to remind him about such things, especially if he only hears from people in his inner circle about how this helps win a primary.
- low level - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 2:10 pm:
==they can easily move this to a different vehicle ==
I get that, certainly. I was surprised they didnt do that in the first place?
- Rich Miller - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 2:18 pm:
=== I was surprised they didnt do that in the first place? ===
Subscribe.
- Ogle Lee - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 2:22 pm:
Since the room is getting things right about Carroll County: Thomson’s late summer event is just called “Melon Days”, I think since they also grow muskmelon and cantaloupe in the sandy ground there. Lots of pumpkins too.
Cool small town minus one problematic federal pen. Has a very nice Army Corps campground on the river.
- JS Mill - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 3:31 pm:
=“This will leave communities, women unprotected,”=
From McCombie comes a totally nonsensical statement. Is she suggesting no police in the communities? Women lose the right to won guns now? Geepers, I didn’t catch that in the legislation.
Wow, Tony is really starting off on the wrong and disappointing foot.
- Occasionally Moderated - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 3:36 pm:
The change from Melon Days to Watermelon days was done purely to in the name of comedy!
Sadly, there is no more Melon days. Great times.
And no McGinnis melon stand. I hate progress.
- Ogle Lee - Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 4:14 pm:
@OM:
Oh, no.. I shall blame the prison craziness for the loss of (Water)Melon Days. Never attended but I’m sure it was nice.