In a defining moment for gun control in the Prairie State, Illinois stands its ground as the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld the nearly year-old ban on guns labeled as assault weapons. The ruling draws a line in the sand, categorizing the contentious firearms along with certain high-capacity magazines as military-grade, not covered by the Second Amendment's protective embrace.
Less than two months are left on the clock for Illinois gun owners harboring previously legal firearms to align with the new mandate. Statistics disclosed as of Nov. 21 reveal a bleak turnout: a mere 3,439 individuals have stepped forward to register about 6,600 guns, which is just 0.001% of Illinois FOID cardholders according to Chicago Tribune.
"Even the most important personal freedoms have their limits," asserted Judge Diane Woods in the opinion, corroborated by Judge Frank Easterbrook. The duo's decision swung the doors wide open, identifying the now-regulated guns and high-capacity magazines as aligned more closely with military use than civilian necessity as reported by WTTW News.
Governor J.B. Pritzker hailed the appeals court's decision as a significant victory, claiming it was a step toward common-sense gun laws. Yet, knowing all too well that Illinois is but an island amidst a sea of states with more lenient gun laws, Pritzker called upon federal leaders to enact cohesive national restrictions. "Now Congress must act so Illinois is not an island surrounded by states with weak protections," Pritzker in accord with WTTW News.
