* Tribune…

Though Illinois is considered to have some of the strongest gun laws in the country, national researchers are recommending additional steps to ensure the public is safe from firearm violence.

A 16-page report by Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, released Thursday, recommends barring gun permits — even with parental or guardian sponsorship — for those younger than 21,banning large-capacity magazines and strengthening the state’s red flag law.

The report comes five months after a mass shooting in Highland Park, in which a man with a history of threatening violence and posting violent gun-related images online allegedly opened fire with a military-assault-type weapon, killing seven people and wounding dozens of others at an Independence Day parade. Three 30-round magazines were recovered.

The report also lands as the Illinois legislature is set to consider gun safety laws.

The report is here.

* HB 5855 was introduced yesterday by Rep. Bob Morgan…

Amends the Illinois State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Division of Criminal Investigation of the Illinois State Police shall conduct other investigations as provided by law, including, but not limited to, investigations of human trafficking, illegal drug trafficking, and illegal firearms trafficking. Provides that the Division of Criminal Investigation shall provide statewide coordination and strategy pertaining to firearm-related intelligence, firearms trafficking interdiction, and investigations. Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Eliminates provisions that permit a person under 21 years of age who is not an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces or the Illinois National Guard to obtain a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card with parental consent. Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that when a person under 21 years of age is hunting under the supervision of a adult, the adult must possess a Firearm Owners Identification Card. Amends the Firearms Restraining Order Act. Provides that the State’s Attorney of the county where the petition is filed may act as a friend of the court in any action filed under the Act. Provides that a petitioner may request a one-year (rather than 6-month) firearms restraining order. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. 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. Defines terms. Provides exemptions and penalties. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

* From Rep. Morgan…

Illinois Democrats today introduced the Protect Illinois Communities Act into the state House of Representatives; HB5855 is a comprehensive legislative package that they hope will set a national standard for gun safety laws.

The package, introduced by House Firearm Safety & Reform Working Group Chair, State Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield), will:

Ban assault weapons immediately, require registration of existing weapons, prevent future sales of ammunition magazines with 10+ rounds, and prohibit rapid-fire devices that turn weapons into fully automatic guns;

Hold gun manufacturers or retailers responsible who market firearms products through deceptive marketing practices;

Establish an interdisciplinary state-wide strike team within the Illinois State Police, in concert with the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, to combat the influx of illegal guns across state lines into Illinois;

Remove the ability for people under 21 to own firearms and ammunition, with exception for those serving in the U.S. Military or the National Guard, as well as allowing hunting and sports shooting for minors with guardian supervision;

Strengthen Firearm Restraining Order laws to keep firearms from dangerous persons.

Rep. Morgan, who represents Highland Park and several other northern suburbs, led the Illinois State House Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group, which met with gun violence survivors, policy experts, faith and community leaders, and law enforcement officials across the state in crafting the legislative package.

“Gun violence is destroying families and communities from East St. Louis to Highland Park to Chicago, and this moment demands urgency,” said Rep. Morgan. “It is time that we had the political courage to admit that guns are a problem, and that we can do something about it. This gun reform package will reduce gun deaths in Illinois, and it is long past time for us to step up and reform the laws which have enabled this gun violence to continue.”

“Whether you’re in the city, or the suburbs, or in a rural area, the reality is gun violence is affecting every corner of our state,” said Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, who serves as part of the working group. “Particularly when it comes to our youth, we are losing an alarming number of our children every year. Every loss is a lasting tragedy that permanently scars families, friends and communities. We have to take action.”

The legislation will be discussed at several subject matter hearings, and will first be heard in early December, more details to follow. Those interested in supporting the legislation are encouraged to submit witness slips in support in advance of the hearing. Status updates on the bill and steps supporters can take can be found at: https://www.repbobmorgan.com/firearm-safety-and-reform-working-group/

* Press release…

Today, the Gun Violence Prevention PAC (G-PAC), Giffords, and Brady released the following statements in response to the introduction of a new bill that would ban the sale of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in Illinois. The introduction of the possible new measure comes five months after the devastating July 4th tragedy in Highland Park. Illinois has experienced about 55 mass shootings this year, so far, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of the tireless work being done by Illinois’ gun safety advocates, who continue to lead the fight for the future of our communities,” said Kathleen Sances, President and CEO of G-PAC.“We applaud Representative Bob Morgan and the working group for stepping up to address the gun violence epidemic. In the absence of a federal ban, Illinois is long overdue for a statewide ban on weapons that continue to kill so many, not only in Chicago or Highland Park, but in Crest Hill, Decatur, East Saint Louis, Elgin, Joliet, Peoria, Rockford, Romeoville, Wheeling, and Yorkville. We don’t have to live like this, and we certainly don’t have to watch our neighbors die senselessly. We look forward to reviewing the bill and continuing to work in support of needed gun safety solutions – too many lives are on the line.”

Earlier this year, G-PAC launched #HaltTheAssault, a new campaign dedicated to calling on Illinois state lawmakers to ban the sale and possession of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines. The initiative hopes to make Illinois the eighth and ninth state, respectively, to enforce these measures.

“Months after the nation watched a small community’s 4th of July parade end in a senseless and horrifying mass shooting, the Illinois legislature is finally acting to prevent more tragedies,” said Sean Holihan, state legislative director for Giffords. “Giffords stands with the people of Highland Park, GPAC, and Rep. Bob Morgan, who are working towards banning assault weapons and large capacity magazines - the same weapons of war that were used on the 4th of July.”

“Brady applauds the introduction of these common-sense, comprehensive policies that will better protect communities across Illinois,” said Brady President Kris Brown. “Illinois already has some of the strongest gun laws in the country, and the policies in this bill, including new age restrictions and extended restraining orders, will add to that strong record. Most importantly, an assault weapons and large capacity ban would help prevent tragedies like Highland Park from occurring again. Weapons of war have no place in our communities, and every day we wait to renew and reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban, more lives will be lost. Brady thanks Representative Bob Morgan for his leadership on this important issue.”

Assault weapons and large-capacity magazines make mass shootings deadlier in Illinois. Research finds that in shootings where assault weapons or high-capacity magazines are used, 155 percent more people are shot, and 47 percent more people are killed.

Studies on both the lapsed federal assault weapons ban and state-level assault weapons bans show that such laws help prevent mass shooting deaths and decrease the diversion of assault weapons to criminal use.

I’ll post opposing viewpoints if/when I receive them.

*** UPDATE *** Richard Pearson with the Illinois State Rifle Association…

With the filing of HB5855 it seems Christmas has come early for G-PAC and other groups that are committed to taking away the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Illinois Citizens. We have consistently heard from anti-Second Amendment legislators that they “don’t want to take away your guns, we only want common sense gun reforms.” Under HB5855 their first step is to take away your magazines and force law-abiding citizens to register their firearms. The legislation goes beyond magazines used in semi-automatic rifles to also include magazines used in millions of commonly owned handguns. Their next step is to use that very registry to take away your firearms. The anti-gun crowd’s agenda has always been to incrementally peal back the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Illinois citizens. The Illinois State Rifle Association will not be entering into any negotiations on this piece of legislation. Elections have consequences. We will see the State of Illinois in court should this bill be enacted into law.