McHenry Times

GOP state lawmakers in Illinois are hitting Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker with claims that he entrapped citizens of the state who bought certain semi-automatic firearms during the six-day window when the state’s gun ban was blocked by a federal court. 

State Sen. Jason Plummer said that when the Southern District of Illinois federal court enjoined the state from enforcing the law, the Pritzker administration did not put out any guidance for Illinois residents to follow when purchasing the affected firearms.

“What the law says is that as of Jan. 1 of 2024, that people will need to fill out the affidavit that they have one of those guns,” Governor Pritzker said. “That’s really all it is. There’s nobody going after anybody, but that’s really what the law says.”

A state police statement said ownership of the firearms in question could become unlawful as of next Jan 1 under the Protect Illinois Communities Act.

“If the purchase of a firearm or firearm attachment banned under PICA was initiated and completed between the date of the Southern District of Illinois’ Order on April 28, 2023, until the stay of such Order by the U.S. Appellate Court on May 4, 2023, the possession of such weapon will be unlawful beginning January 1, 2024, pursuant to 720 ILCS 5/24-1.9(c),” an Illinois State Police FAQ says. 

With the issue now still going through the federal court system, as of now any citizen of the state found to be in violation by having a banned firearm could face a Class A misdemeanor, and gun dealers could deal with felony charges as a result of their involvement in the situation.

Plummer said his state office is being flooded by calls from constituents looking for clarity on the matter. 

“We’re going to introduce the legislation and this legislation is going to merely provide peace of mind to law-abiding gun owners in the state of Illinois who have been exercising their Second Amendment rights that they will not be attacked by the state of Illinois, they will not be penalized by the state of Illinois, for doing what they were told they could do by the court of law" Plummer said.