McHenry Times

Three GOP lawmakers made it clear that Democratic proposed gun legislation goes way too far in its age-restricting regulation.

HB1465, sponsored by Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg), which would increase the age for the purchase or possession of assault weapons, assault weapon attachments and high-capacity magazines to 21, was not received well by Reps. Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee), Steven Reick (R-Woodstock) or Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) during House debate last week.

Wheeler wanted to know what the charge against individuals under the age of 21 who already own firearms in regard to the bill that only makes two age-restricted exemptions regarding firearm use for officially-sanctioned sport shooting and military service use.

“If you are caught with an assault weapon it is a Class Three Felony for the first violation and a Class Two violation for more than one weapon or second or subsequent violation,” Mussman said of possessing firearms beyond the 90-day period offered to release weapons to the proper authorities, which led Wheeler into his next question.

“I was asked by law enforcement on how this is going to work, are they going to be required to collect weapons from people who are currently law abiding citizens who may not be aware that the law changed,” Wheeler said.

According to Mussman the bill will not warrant law enforcement to seek out citizens if there is not reasonable cause, which led Wheeler to questions on whether or not will the bill requires the state to notify all firearm owners identification (FOID) card holders under the age of 21.

“That is a provision we can perhaps explore in the Senate, but that is not a clear provision here,” Mussman said.

Skillcorn then reminded Mussman and the House that Illinois does not presently allow anyone under the age of 21 to purchase or possess a firearm without parental authorization.

“This is a very strict law other states do not have so we are not like Florida,” Skillicorn said, indirectly addressing the recent school shootings in that state.

Skillicorn then addressed adolescents and the activity of sport shooting, and how Mussman’s bill could cause unwarranted criminal charges. He took his point one step further noting how Mussman’s bill could also indirectly affect tourism when individuals under the legal age are crossing state lines with firearms in their possession.

“They might be coming in for a match out of state,” Skillicorn said of the World Shooting Recreational Complex located in Sparta. “What are we going to (do) turn people away?”  

After asking Mussman why the certain age restriction, Reick referred to the Constitution, reminding Mussman citizens are born with rights, which are not the same as the privilege of drinking or driving that she compared to owning a gun while explaining her bill.

“Those do not belong on the same level as a right,” Reick said. “The right to self-defense, the right to bear arms are enshrined in the Constitution.”

Mussman attempted to counter Reick noting the Second Amendment and that “does not layout a particular age in which that amendment goes into effect,” and added the ages to drink, drive and now own guns are arbitrarily set by government all the time.

“Representative please, the reason why the Constitution is silent to the age on when one attains certain rights is because they were born with them,” Reick said. “These are rights that you have as a member of the human race.”

He then said the average age of a mass shooter in America is 34, adding Mussman was attempting to age limit the Second Amendment.

“So what you are basically saying is constitutional fundamental rights we all enjoy as Americans are only good enough, only available to those to whom you think are capable of handling them,” Reick said, adding he urged a no vote.

HB1465 was approved by the House on a 64-51 vote and advanced to the Senate.