SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Governor J.B. Pritzker says he is “pleased” with the Illinois Supreme Court upholding the constitutionality of the state’s assault weapons ban.
The 4-3 ruling on Friday upholds the “Protect Illinois Communities Act” that bans assault rifles and high-capacity magazines. It also requires those currently with assault rifles to register them with the Illinois State Police.
In a statement released after the ruling, Pritzker called the Act a “commonsense gun reform law to keep mass-killing machines off of our streets and out of our schools, malls, parks, and places of worship.”
“Illinoisans deserve to feel safe in every corner of our state—whether they are attending a Fourth of July Parade or heading to work—and that’s precisely what the Protect Illinois Communities Act accomplishes. This decision is a win for advocates, survivors, and families alike because it preserves this nation-leading legislation to combat gun violence and save countless lives,” Pritzker said.
Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton also released a statement after the ruling. She says the ruling affirmed that “we are on the right side of history in the work to end mass shootings.”
She says the ruling improves gun safety efforts and builds healthier and stronger communities in the state.
https://t.co/GbpDH1PPSs pic.twitter.com/al3N9Fwohn
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) August 11, 2023
There is more work to do, but today the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that, once again, Illinois is on the right side of history. pic.twitter.com/Hpv0Nd0VlA
— Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton (@LtGovStratton) August 11, 2023
