OKAWVILLE - Senator Dave Luechtefeld, who sponsored the bill Governor Quinn chose to respond to with an amendatory veto demanding an assault weapons ban in Illinois, replied to the governor's actions with the following statement Tuesday afternoon. He said the governor was playing on emotions following the Aurora shooting:
“The Governor has failed to show a coherent policy direction on the budget, on pensions and on corrections – beyond issuing press releases or standing in front of Chicago cameras,” Luechtefeld said. “This looks like more of the same.”
“The Governor has taken a non-controversial bill to help law-abiding gun owners – passed with overwhelming, bipartisan support in both chambers – and made it controversial,” Luechtefeld added. “It’s another slap in the face to the gun owners – and business owners – in Illinois.”
Senate Bill 681 would have allowed FOID card holders to mail-order ammunition purchases from in-state licensed firearm dealers. Ammunition purchases from out-of-state dealers are already allowed under the law.
Supported by the Illinois State Rifle Association and National Rifle Association, Senate Bill 681 does not preempt any portions of the FOID Card Act.
Luechtefeld said he will work to reject the Governor’s changes to the bill – which would ban some weapons and certain ammunition magazines – and restore his original bill to help law-abiding gun owners purchase in-state ammunition more easily.
