McHenry Times

Rep. Steven Reick (R-Woodstock) took aim at a firearms measure during the ongoing House override session, comparing it to trying to mandate which clothing should be deemed safe.

HB4117, sponsored by Rep. Martin Moylan (D-Des Plaines), earned immediate consideration in light of the recent Las Vegas mass shooting. The bill would amend Criminal Code 2012 to prohibit the sale, production, purchase or handling of a trigger-modification device in Illinois. It would make make trigger modifications on a firearm a Class 4 felony in the state.

“If you go on YouTube you can learn how to turn a semi-automatic weapon into an automatic weapon by putting your finger on the trigger and putting your thumb in the belt loop of your pants and pulling the trigger,” Reick said, adding if that was the case, then the pair of jeans he was wearing could be considered deadly. “At the risk of having all of us have our pants fall down, are you saying that we should now ban Levi’s, because if so, then I can take a semi-automatic weapon and turn it into an automatic weapon just through my choice of attire.”

Reick also argued that the measure could unintentionally make it more difficult for people to use firearms in a completely lawful way.

“I am not sure it limits it to regulations that may go in the opposite direction and make it more difficult to fire a weapon,” Reick said. “If you have a certain number of pounds that need to be used in order to pull the trigger, say 7 to 10 pounds, depending on the weapon, and the person using it, then there is nothing in here that says it makes it easier and can’t make it more difficult. This portion of the bill is unclear.”

Reick recalled the half-dozen Republicans he spoke to who also opposed the bill.

“As it has been stated by a number of people on this floor, there are many who shoot for a number of reasons, all of them legal, hunting and gamesmanship,” Reick said. “I would be grateful if this bill would be pulled from consideration,” Reick ended.

HB4117 failed, 54-48.