McLean County Times

A local indoor shooting range is decrying the efforts by Illinois Democrats to pass legislation that would limit the sales of assault weapons. 

C.I. Shooting Sports, located at 700 Wylie Drive in Normal, is alerting the public of the potential result of HB5855 if it becomes law.

“If you never plan to move from Illinois after HB 5855 is passed you will never be able to purchase any thing considered an ‘Assault firearm,’” C.I. Shooting Sports posted on Facebook. “AR15’s, anything with a vertical grip, collapsible or folding stock, threaded muzzle, fed by magazine over 10 rounds … . It’s over. We’re not trying to gin up sales but your time is quickly running out to ever own one of these firearms again.” 

The lame-duck session of the General Assembly began on Jan. 4. According to Rock Island Today, HB5855, the Protect Illinois Communities Act, is expected to be the top measure voted on during the session.

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savannah) said the bill is unconstitutional. “While HB 5855 is likely far from in its final form, the constitutionality of the bill will certainly go before the courts,” McCombie told Prairie State Wire. 

HB5855 outlaws several commonly owned types of firearms and magazines. As many as five million firearms and 10 million magazines in the state may be affected if the gun ban becomes law. Gun rights advocates have vowed to seek legal relief should the bill pass. A vote on the bill in the House is expected in the lame-duck session set to begin in early January. State Rep. Denyse Wang Stoneback (D-Skokie) who co-sponsored the measure is in her final days in the chamber after losing a primary battle earlier this year.