WASHINGTON, D.C. – A national firearms trade group is suing Illinois over a new state law targeting gun manufacturers and retailers.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation announced Monday that it is challenging the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act, which was signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker last week.
The law aims to hold gun manufacturers who knowingly caused harm from unsafe marketing practices and sales accountable. It prohibits advertising and marketing that encourages para-military or unlawful private militia activity, and bans advertising that encourages the use of firearms to those under 18.
Pritzker this year has also signed legislation that bans the sale and manufacture of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
The NSSF says the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act is “unconstitutional” and muzzles First Amendment rights of manufacturers and retailers.
Lawrence G. Keane, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the NSSF, blasted the lawsuit.
“The flawed logic of this unconstitutional law is second only to the contempt for which the authors and Governor Pritzker hold for the Constitutionally-protected right of the citizens of his state to keep and bear arms,” says Keane. “This law bans commercial free speech, which is protected by the First Amendment. It also requires firearm manufacturers and retailers to establish undefined ‘reasonable controls’ to prevent criminals from lying on background check forms.”
The NSSF says the law would victimize retailers and manufacturers for crimes committed by a third party.
