East Central Reporter

Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) is the most recent Republican lawmaker to come forward in opposition to a House bill they deem to be unconstitutional, including asking their constituents to sign a petition.

Halbrook took to Facebook with the latest edition of his newsletter, which had a portion dedicated to House Bill 5855. He noted that the legislation would drastically intrude on Second Amendment rights.

“A sweeping new gun control effort by Democrats has been introduced in the Illinois General Assembly and may be voted on in a Lame Duck Session in early January,” Halbrook said in the petition, which had 254 signatures as of Dec. 21. “Second Amendment Rights of legal gun owners would be severely limited under HB 5855. Within the bill, Democrats have created a new definition of 'assault weapon' to include almost every kind of semi-automatic weapon currently available to law-abiding citizens. This legislation represents a direct attack on the Constitutional rights afforded to citizens of the United States to protect themselves, their families, and their property.”

Halbrook’s petition highlighted provisions of the legislation that include creating a gun registry for most semi-automatic weapons, outlawing magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, restricting people who are under 21 from obtaining a FOID card, making the state’s legal hunting age 21, and requiring residents to pay $25 for certain firearms or face possible felony charges if the fee is not paid.

Halbrook also noted in his newsletter that Illinois leads the nation in background checks for the sale of guns.

"Legal gun owners buy more guns when there is uncertainty," he said. "In Illinois, the potential implementation of the SAFE--T Act is exacerbating this. Another issue is the proposed ban on certain types of guns in Illinois House Bill 5855. A second hearing on HB5855 is scheduled for December 20th and can be viewed on the ILGA.gov website. The sponsor of this bill is aiming to pass it by January 10th during lame duck session with legislators who will no longer be accountable to the people as they are leaving office. This is the same way the misguided SAFE-T Act was passed."