CHATHAM, Ill. – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says while time is running out during the lame duck legislation session going on now in Springfield, there is still time to get a ban on assault weapons done.
A proposal is being filed that would also ban high-capacity magazines and rapid-fire devices, and Pritzker says a lot of legislative time is being spent working the details out.
“There are discussions going on virtually every hour of the lame duck session to put together a bill that can pass in both chambers, and that I would sign. Those negotiations, discussions, continue,” said Pritzker. “I must say there’s been a lot of progress made.”
Pritzker didn’t say what that progress is. But, he says such a ban is something he believes in.
Pritzker says people need to change their attitudes and not let the National Rifle Association control the legislature, especially following the deadly Highland Park parade shooting on July fourth.
“The very important thing is that we, obviously need to hold people accountable who break the law,” said Pritzker. “If we’re going to ban assault weapons, and someone who is caught with an assault weapons that isn’t allowed to have one, hasn’t been grandfathered in, or whatever, there have to be penalties for that. It’s just…what’s an enhanced penalty look like?”
Enhanced penalties are usually reserved based on the severity of the offense, or an offender’s criminal record.
The proposed ban would also raise the minimum age for someone to get a FOID card.
Pritzker spoke Wednesday at an elementary school in Chatham, near Springfield, after touring an early childhood education program.
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