SPRINGFIELD – While Illinois gun rights activists were nervously optimistic over the weekend that proposed anti-2nd Amendment legislation would not pass to a governor most likely to sign it into law, Monday morning, the Illinois State Rifle Association issued a statement breathing a sigh of relief – albeit temporary.
“I appreciate the hard work so many people put in to stop this legislation,” said Richard Pearson, executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association. “The phone calls and emails from 2nd Amendment supporters across the state made a big difference. Our voice was definitely heard in the Illinois State Capitol.”
When asked why the ISRA was successful in stopping the measure in the Illinois Senate when they weren't as successful in the Illinois House, they speculated that there was a stronger desire to pass it in the House than in the Senate. "The Progressives in the House were very aggressive this spring," they replied.
The legislation (SB 1966) passed the House by a vote of 62-52 but failed to win support in the Illinois Senate and with no more days left in the legislative session, the bill is effectively dead.
Senate Bill 1966 would have substantially increased the cost of a FOID card and would have complicated the process by mandating fingerprinting as a requirement to obtain/renew a FOID card with a maximum cost of $30 for the service. The legislation also raised the FOID card renewals to $20 every 5 years (currently $10 for a 10-year license). Finally, it required private firearm sales/transfers go through a licensed dealer and would have imposed a Class 4 felony for FOID card violations, which comes with a maximum of three years in prison.
“There is no doubt this legislation would have dramatically increased the cost of owning a firearm in Illinois and for many families, it would definitely have been a hardship,” Pearson said. “The fact this bill did not move to the Governor’s desk this spring is a big win. However, it is just a temporary victory. There is no doubt this legislation will come back and we as 2nd Amendment supporters need to be ready. Now more than ever we need 2nd Amendment supporters to stand with us because our Constitutional rights are constantly under attack in our State Legislature.”
