East Central Reporter

Illinois lawmakers, led by progressive Democrats, have introduced new legislation aimed at banning the sale of various Glock handguns. House Bill 4045, along with its Senate counterpart, targets "convertible pistols," making their manufacture, sale, and possession a class 4 felony in Illinois. This offense carries penalties of a minimum one-year imprisonment, up to three years, and a fine of up to $25,000. The current provisions of the bill allow the sale of these handguns to law enforcement and military but prohibit sales to civilians.

Representative Justin Slaughter (D), who is sponsoring the bill, has also submitted another piece of legislation, HB4603. This proposal would prevent police officers from stopping drivers for reckless driving and other infractions like speeding and improper lane usage.

State Representative Chris Miller expressed opposition to the proposed legislation, stating: "The progressive Democrats in Illinois continue to attack the freedoms of law-abiding citizens while they let thugs walk free after committing crimes. This bill will not improve public safety, it will not reduce crime, but it will infringe on our Second Amendment Rights."

Moreover, House Republicans have voiced concerns over the SAFE-T Act, suggesting that its passage could potentially hinder law enforcement efforts and impact community safety negatively.