Southern Illinois News

Lick Creek Republican Precinct Committeeman Kelly Bliss is asking Illinois residents to push back against Democratic legislators' efforts to outlaw a wide array of currently legal guns and magazines. 

HB5855 would outlaw several types of common guns and magazines and create a registry whereby gun owners must inventory their guns. The bill would also disallow hunters under 21 from hunting alone and provide restrictions on firearm access to that group. 

“If you haven’t heard about HB 5855, please do your research!' Bliss said on Facebook. "This will most likely pass on the 11th. Call your legislators today and make your voice heard.”

Bliss supports Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) in encouraging the public to oppose HB5855 and make their representatives fight the measure.

"Let them know you are a concerned citizen of theirs," ISRA said. "I am calling you to request that you vote NO on HB5855 or any bill that takes my Second Amendment rights," 

The lame-duck session of the General Assembly began this Wednesday. Rock Island Today reports HB5855, the Protect Illinois Communities Act, is expected to be the top measure voted on during the session.

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savannah) said 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 outlaws several commonly owned types of firearms and magazines. As many as five million firearms and 10 million magazines in the state may be affected if the gun ban becomes law. Gun rights advocates have vowed to seek legal relief should the bill pass. A vote on the bill in the House is expected in the lame-duck session set to begin in early January. State Rep. Denyse Wang Stoneback (D-Skokie) who co-sponsored the measure in her final days in the chamber after losing a primary battle earlier this year.