In a rare victory over the malign forces of the National Rifle Rampage Association and their coin-operated Republican / Seditionist / Shooters party, Illinois passed legislaation that bans the sale of assault-style weapons like those used in mass shootings. Gov. JB Pritzker signed the legislation into law yesterday, which also includes a ban on high-capacity magazines. The vote on the legislation itself wasn't close: the State's House voted 68-41 and the State Senate voted 34-20 to impose the sales ban:
"Before signing the bill, Gov. Pritzker raised the memory of the July 4th parade massacre in Highland Park last year – which left seven people dead and 36 injured, and left a 2-year-old boy parentless and wandering around.
The shooter used legally-purchased semiautomatic weapon.
Pritzker said the massacre was allowed to happen 'all because our state and our nation have been held hostage by the NRA and their allies time and time again.'
'After nearly every mass shooting, we've seen efforts to ban dangerous weapons thwarted – and then leaders send their thoughts and prayers, while the they throw their hands up – resigning themselves to the idea that gun violence is a sacrifice that Americans must accept,' Pritzker said. But it doesn't have to be that way.'" (our emphasis)
The law doesn't affect gun owners currently in possession of those types of weapons, but it does require them to register them with the Illinois State Police and expedites the universal background check process in the State. The gun lobby has already indicated they will challenge the ban in court.
(photo: Pritzker signs assault rife sales ban/ Getty Images)
