Illinois House passes ban on semi-automatic weapons

The Illinois House passed an assault weapons ban in the wee hours Friday morning. The bill passed by a vote of 64-43 and will now go to the Senate.

The Protect Illinois Communities Act, a modified ban on high-powered weapons and large-capacity magazines, would ban the manufacture, sale and possession of dozens of firearms defined by the state as "assault weapons".

The passage is being considered a major victory for dozens of Chicago-area residents who packed the state capitol Thursday afternoon to rally in support of a bill that would ban assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines like the one used in the Highland Park mass shooting six months ago.

The bill advanced out of committee Thursday night. Lawmakers will try to push it through the state Senate during the last few days of the lame duck session ending January 11. 

If it becomes a law, those who already own a gun on that list can be kept, but would need to be registered with Illinois State Police within 300 days.

Critics question the constitutionality of the bill and are already promising legal action.



This 2018 file photo shows a display of various models of semi-automatic rifles at a store in Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)