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The deadline for registering so-called “assault weapons” in Illinois has come and gone.
It was on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. It’s safe to say it was an epic failure.
The Illinois State Police reported that as of last week only 15,000 folks managed to complete the required disclosure forms by the new year.
Now, 15,000 might seem like a lot, but in a state bustling with about 2.5 million FOID (Firearm Owners’ Identification) card holders, that number barely makes a dent.
Now, not every FOID card holder has a black rifle stashed away, but even if a million did (probably a low estimate), we’re talking about a mere 1.5 percent compliance rate.
That’s dreadful! And it’s a huge blow to the ruling establishment in Springfield who championed this draconian law.
For the tens of thousands of patriots who didn’t register their scary-looking guns by the deadline, the problem is the road ahead looks a bit rocky, legally speaking.
Get caught carrying or possessing a banned weapon that isn’t registered? You’re looking at a misdemeanor, up to a year in the clink, or a fine of $500.
SEE ALSO: Ruger’s 60th Anniversary Edition of the 10/22 Rifle
And if you’re dealing in manufacturing, selling, or buying these banned items? That’s a felony, which could land you up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000!
Here’s an interesting twist — but not something you want to hang your hat on.
Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain, in a chat with CBS News Chicago, said his deputies aren’t planning any door-to-door checks.
They’re not going to show up and demand to see everyone’s guns, even though they know who the gun owners are and where they live thanks to the FOID system.
If you take ’em at their word, they’re not going to conduct any surprise visits — at least not yet.
“However, if we are investigating a criminal organization and we do come across firearms that are in violation of the assault weapons ban, we will certainly use this new law to enhance criminal charges against them,” Hain explained.
Ultimately, it’s up to the prosecutors to decide who gets charged with what.
If you’re living in a gun-friendly part of Illinois that is home to a pro-2A prosecutor, maybe you won’t sweat it too much. But for those in anti-gun areas with anti-2A prosecutors, the situation might feel a bit more tense.
Many are placing their hopes on the success of one of the ongoing lawsuits, aiming to overturn this overreaching and unconstitutional ban.
In the meantime, the “non-compliant” might be biting their nails, considering their next move, or even thinking about packing up and moving to a free state.
As always, stay tuned for updates.
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And people continue to flee this communist utopia, only to infect other states their brand of mental illness.
So once again votes have consequences (counted legally or not…) brain dead liberals should remember how they were criminalized next time they are in the voting booth and maybe do something different…
Hey Sheriff Hain, what happened to your oath to uphold the Constitution and not draconian liberal laws
The expected last minute registration has nearly doubled the registration figures (with the individuals nearly doubling 15,164 to 29,357 or a differance of 14,193 and items disclosed reflect a new figure of 112,350 and firearms going from 35,065 to 68,992) in IL. Still, from the people whom I trust such as William Kirk from Washington Gun Law that despite the data dump see the numbers as small. The how far will Pritzker and the AG go from here? There will be examples and people will cheer the police state tactics of letters and door knocks. People will be targetted who have moved items out of state and this may generate law suites. What a shame.
A million seems like a high guess for how many black rifles are otherwise legally owned as of last week and unregistered today in Illinois. Isn’t that kind of data already collected and available by the state of Illinois? Presuming they aren’t coming in from that one FFL in Indiana…
To call this common sense approach a failure before the ink is dry feels a bit hyperbolic.
“Black rifles” are NOT the only items requiring registration. A multitude of firearms including .22’s that are not necessarily in the AR platform, last time I looked the list included some Ruger 10/22’s and many other surprising firearms . Any rifle mag over 10 rds and pistol over 15 an certain types of ammo including .50 cal. Full compliance with the registration would have been represented with an astronomical number, 15,000 is a pitance.
The governer’s lawyers were NOT willing and or able to answer all the questions posed to them by 2A activists like Donald T. (Todd) Vandermyde et cetera. Vandermyde can be found online stumping the ones who drafted the legislation on the legal and technical details.
Some of my own questions include, what will happen when the registered conformist dies? Will the ISP gun teams hit a dead persons house? The ban/registration scheme in Chicago that was launched in 1983 included every firearm within city limits (Oak Park, Morton Grove and 3 or 4 other localities). That ban/registration sheme serves as harbinger of what is to come. What will happen to someone who lives in a county or other locality that has more strict firearm regulations like Cook County or Deerfield IL? Did they just incriminate themselves? How will the information on those registrations be used? Pritzker already stated on record that the low registration numbers were all just “right wing” talking points, so then there should be no need to try any heavy handed compliance checks, right? The legislation procedures were illegal and all the implications of divulged information will now start to unfold.
The ISP has the data on all state background checks going back to at least as far as exconvict Governor, Blagovich’s (sp?), term in office. Blago was amassing a hugh data base of gun owners via the “instant check.” Bush 43, AG John Ashcroft said no no to Blago but then the gov played the “Patriot Act” card and the AG acquiesed and the damage that horrible POTUS Bush launched is still still paying divends for every subsequent tyrant. Therefore, ISP has lots of info, including the manufactorer’s name and serial number of all the background check sales and no doubt the software to illegally harvest the data and connect dots.
Also, Pritzker has severally restricted ownership of existing passive self defense items like body armor and helmets with all later purchases banned. So now Mr. “common sense” guy, explain to me all this makes any sense to you?
Doesn’t seem like common sense to me
hey with all the perks criminals get it may pay to be one, and they never get charged with having a gun illegally anymore!