Rapid guns banned in Illinois by Supreme Court. The court ruled on Friday that the Protect Our Communities Act complies with equal protection standards.
Rep. Dan Caulkins and other Macon County gun owners lost their Second Amendment arguments after the Supreme Court’s 4-3 judgment. This hinders Supreme Court review. Caulkins’ lawyer disagrees.
Southern IL federal appeals courts are probing Second Amendment claims.
50-cal firearms, components, and fast-firing systems are banned. Shotguns have nine shots, pistols 14. The AR-15, estimated to be in 25 million US homes by 2021, according to Georgetown University, is highly impacted.
Things will change. Firearm owners can keep them until January 10, 2024, if they register with the state police before January 1. Seven types of professionals can carry these guns. Police, military, and security guards are examples.
Dan Caulkins believes the Second Amendment protects claimants and FOID holders. He said some could break the rule. Justice Rochford said “grandfathered” gun owners had no special rights. She noted that a FOID card doesn’t ensure job responsibility or training.
Rochford said, “The equal protection clause ensures equal treatment for people in similar situations unless the government has a valid reason for treating them differently.” She suggested the Legislature can divide groups if it helps the law.
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Jerrold Stocks, Caulkins’ lawyer, anticipates further legal action, possibly including a Supreme Court appeal.
J.B. Pritzker, Indiana’s Dem governor, signed the Protect Our Communities Act in Jan. The 2022 Highland Park shooting killed seven and injured others. Gun rights advocates oppose the bill, and sheriffs worry about its implementation.
Pritzker called the bill “commonsense gun reform” to prevent mass shootings. He advised caution at demos, work, shopping, parks, and churches.
Justice O’Brien found the court’s finding erroneous due to biased exceptions in the law. The court’s two Republican justices, Lisa Holder White and David Overstreet ruled the law illegal due to the Legislature’s failure to follow constitutional lawmaking norms. Holder White stressed the Constitution’s significance.
Gun control and Second Amendment rights are still debated and have been legally contested
