Illinois Firearm Registration Law Faces Constitutional Challenge in Federal Court

in 2nd Amendment – R2KBA, Current Events, This Week

In a recent legal filing, plaintiffs led by the Federal Firearms Licensees of Illinois (FFL-IL), including Caleb Barnett and others, have launched a significant challenge against the State of Illinois, represented by defendants including Kwame Raoul and Governor J.B. Pritzker.

The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, contests the constitutionality of the state’s firearm registration requirements under 720 ILCS 5/24-1.9 et seq.

The crux of the dispute revolves around Illinois law, which has designated numerous firearms and related parts as “assault weapons.” The law requires these items to be registered by January 1, 2024.

This registration process mandates owners to submit an affidavit, providing extensive details about the firearms, including make, model, caliber, and serial number, among other things.

The plaintiffs argue that the registration scheme violates constitutional rights on several grounds.

Firstly, they claim that the law fails to provide sufficient notice to firearm owners, a violation of the Due Process Clause. The lawsuit emphasizes that the State’s method of online announcements as the sole means of public notice is inadequate and unreasonable, especially considering the serious criminal consequences of non-compliance.

Secondly, the lawsuit raises concerns about the law’s vagueness. Many terms crucial for identifying which firearms or parts must be registered are allegedly not clearly defined, leaving gun owners uncertain about compliance requirements and potentially vulnerable to unintentional legal violations.

SEE ALSO: Illinois Governor Addresses Low ‘Assault Weapon’ Registration Rates

The third and perhaps most pivotal argument is that the registration scheme violates the Second Amendment.

Plaintiffs reference the Supreme Court’s ruling in N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n v. Bruen, which clarified that any regulation must be consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. The plaintiffs argue that Illinois’s registration requirements lack a historical precedent, especially when considering the founding-era context of the Second Amendment.

The case, which is still pending before the court, is being closely watched by legal experts and gun rights advocates nationwide.

It represents a significant challenge to state-level firearm regulations and could have far-reaching implications for the interpretation and application of the Second Amendment in the United States.

As always, stay tuned for updates.

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  • DIYinSTL January 12, 2024, 8:57 am

    Attorney Moros misses the most salient point; any new gun registry created after 19 May 1986 (maybe as late as 16 November 1986) is illegal under federal law. FOPA, the Firearm Owners Protection Act, changed 18 U.S. Code § 926(a)(4) so that it reads in part:
    “…No such rule or regulation prescribed after the date of the enactment of the Firearms Owners’ Protection Act may require that records required to be maintained under this chapter [i.e. chapter 44] or any portion of the contents of such records, be recorded at or transferred to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or any political subdivision thereof, nor that any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions or dispositions be established. …”

  • D.J. November 21, 2023, 8:22 am

    Perhaps it is time to leave Sodom ?

    “ Survey says ………? “

  • Hondo November 17, 2023, 2:03 pm

    Registration is about knowing who has firearms and where to go to confiscate them, don’t kid yourself, this is their plan.

  • Kane November 17, 2023, 10:46 am

    “Secondly, the lawsuit raises concerns about the law’s vagueness.”

    I read one time that the conerstone of all totalitarian states are vague laws. Jay Bob aspires to become the most powerful despot in the former US. He also seems a little stupid since he was unaware that Sheriffs Department is independant of the IL Governorship. Like so many Demshevics, he has no appeal whatsoever yet he intends to become POTUS with givaways and bribes.

    Jay Bob paid $1 million each to two judges in IL to insure his agenda will roll on. “This Is NOT America.”

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