The Illinois Supreme Court has upheld the state’s ban on assault weapons. In a four to three decision, the court found a law prohibiting the sale or possession of certain semi-automatic weapons and high capacity magazines is constitutional. Representative Patrick of Windhorst of Metropolis says he’s disappointed but not surprised. He’s hopeful another challenge, now before a federal appeals court, has a different outcome.
“I believe many of us felt like the federal lawsuits had a better chance of success. Federal lawsuits are being brought on the U.S. Constitution Second Amendment rounds and that is I believe will be the strongest arguments that we have toward this law being found unconstitutional.”
Governor JB Pritzker praised the state supreme court’s decision, calling the law “Common sense gun reform to keep mass-killing machines off of our streets.”
***Courtesy of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services***