State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) | Facebook
State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) | Facebook
State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) is blunt in his feelings about Gov. J.B. Prizker’s planned signing of the most expansive gun control legislation in the nation.
“Watch JB commit tyranny when he signs the unconstitutional gun grab at 6:00 pm tonight!” Bailey said on Twitter.
Bailey was the GOP’s 2022 candidate for governor.
The so-called Protect Illinois Communities Act 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.
Gun rights advocates long vowed to seek legal relief should the bill pass.
In recent weeks, local county boards have turned their attention to a sweeping gun ban.
HB5855 outlaws over 100 types of firearms currently legal in the state as well as extended clip magazines.
Illinois currently has around 70 sanctuary counties in which gun owners rights have been underscored at the county level.
HB5855 the Protect Illinois Communities Act was billed as the top measure voted on during the session.
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savannah) previously noted 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.
Many are warning the law taking effect may do more harm to gun control proponent efforts than good.
Guns Save Life founder John Boch spoke out against the legislation. He noted that HB 5855 would criminalize the owners of semi-automatic weapons and will bring out pro-gun sentiment.
“I think this bill is going to be what’s gonna wake up the sleeping giants who say ‘hey, no, we’ve had enough. You never are satisfied by taking little pieces so we’re going to take a bigger chunk of the pie back this time,’” Boch told WMAY.
“Bob Morgan is going to lose in court, and not only is he going to lose this, but I anticipate he’s going to get a whole lot of Illinois gun laws that are currently on the books struck, and that’s going to lead to a much safer society for all of us from criminals.”
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