Will County Gazette

Bolingbrook business, The Range at 355 is warning its customers about pending gun control legislation. 

HB5855 would make many types of commonly owned guns illegal. The Range at 355 is located at 9003 Murphy Road. 

“This unconstitutional bill is in the works and we want to make sure our customers are fully informed,” The Range at 355 said on Facebook. “This not only has an impact on our industry but it will also impact our customers. If 2A issues are important to you, please take some time to look over the bill.” 

After its first hearing on Monday, the House Judiciary Committee will see a debate on the HB5855 in two more public hearings on Dec. 14 and 19. The Dec. 12 hearing was mainly limited to proponents of the bill, including victims of gun violence and medical professionals treating gun violence victims. Organizations such as the Illinois Rifle Association have vowed legal action should HB5855, otherwise known as Protect Illinois Communities Act, pass. Proponents say It would be the most restrictive gun law in the United States. House Minority Leader Tony McCombie noted the bill is unconstitutional. “While HB 5855 is likely far from in its final form, the constitutionality of the bill will certainly go before the courts,” McCombie told Prairie State Wire. 

HB5855 would make the possession of several types of firearms - critics have said over 100 different types of guns - and accessories illegal. “Makes it unlawful to manufacture, deliver, sell, or purchase or cause to be manufactured, delivered, sold, or purchased or cause to be possessed by another, an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge. Makes it unlawful for any person to knowingly possess an assault weapon, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge 300 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, except possession of weapons registered with the Illinois State Police in the time provided. Provides exemptions and penalties. Prohibits the manufacture, delivery, sale, purchase, or possession of large capacity ammunition feeding devices,” the bill’s synopsis reads in part.

Critics have noted that while proponents of the bill point to the Highland Park shooting - whose mayor spoke at the hearing - as a flashpoint for gun control, the alleged shooter Robert Crimo III was provided a gun permit by the Illinois State Police despite having red flags on his record for mental illness and instances of violence, which many are calling a failure of the Gov. J.B. Pritzker administration to enforce existing law. “Had the Pritzker administration done what they said they were going to do, which was to review and make sure laws already on the books were being implemented more effectively, the tragedy in Highland Park might never have occurred,” Sen. Donald DeWitte (R-St. Charles) said in a statement, The Pantagraph reported. Seven were killed and more than 48 wounded after a gunman opened fire on the Independence Day parade.