Springfield, IL… Assistant Minority Leader John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) participated in a press conference on Wednesday with the Illinois State Rifle Association and his House Republican colleagues, Representatives Caulkins, Elik, Tipsword, and Windhorst to urge the Illinois Attorney General to defend law-abiding gun owners in light of last Friday’s court decision ruling that the Democrat’s assault weapons ban – signed by Governor Pritzker – is unconstitutional.
“[The assault weapons ban] that we have seen come out of the Dome in Springfield is a direct attack on law abiding citizens.” said Rep. Cabello. “The criminals will never follow this law. So if we’re doing this to try to avoid criminality, why did we not put in the things that really matter?”
Rep. Cabello went on to question why items like increased enhancements for felons caught with weapons and increased enhancements for straw purchasers were not considered by proponents of the ban. He also highlighted his concern that State Police were actively enforcing the unconstitutional ban on a gun shop and, separately, a resident in Loves Park.
The Illinois State Rifle Association weighed in by releasing the following statement, “After reviewing with counsel the Macon County Circuit Court’s decision, based on how the decision is not explicitly limited to one named person or group of persons, and based on how the Opinion clearly finds the challenged law unconstitutional on a facial basis as opposed to being unconstitutional as-applied to any particular person or persons, the ISRA believes that the Macon County decision is meant to be read to apply to all persons in the State. We acknowledge that the language therein also seems aimed towards facilitating an Illinois Supreme Court review, and we are confident that the skillful attorneys representing the plaintiffs will successfully present their arguments to that Court at the appropriate time.”
Stay up to date on news and legislative action in the Illinois House of Representatives by visiting RepCabello.com or contact Rep. Cabello’s district office in Freeport at 815-974-0090.
*Pictured from left to right, Rep. Elik, Rep. Caulkins, Rep. Cabello, and Rep. Windhorst.