North Cook News

A local firearms store is speaking out on sweeping gun control legislation that is threatening local businesses that make their living on guns.

The Gun Doctor Inc., located at 1050 Lake St. in Roselle, is raising awareness in a Facebook post that included an image with information on how HB5855 will impact how firearms owners would be regulated. In addition to outlawing many types of weapons, the legislation outlaws weapons based on the accessories—such as scopes, stocks, grips, etc.—configured on the weapon as well.

“With HB5855 coming down the pipe learn a bit more about what will be on the chopping block,” The Gun Doctor Inc. said on Facebook recently. “Registration will be required in 300 days from Bill signing. A few items that are at issue included in this post.”

The post comes as a vote nears on HB5855, otherwise known as the Protect Illinois Communities Act. If the bill is approved, it would ban several commonly owned types of firearms and magazines. As many as 5 million firearms and 10 million magazines in the state may be affected if the gun ban becomes law. Gun rights advocates have pledged to seek legal relief should the bill pass.

State Rep. Denyse Wang Stoneback (D-Skokie) is a co-sponsor of the measure. Her name has been attached as a sponsor to other controversial legislation reported by the Chicago City Wire. Stoneback is a lame-duck representative who is in her final days in the chamber after losing a primary battle earlier this year.  

When considering options on how to combat the bill, many have pointed to the precedent-setting New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen decision levied by the United States Supreme Court in June. That landmark case overturned a New York State law that required those seeking to conceal carry firearms to show a demonstrable need to defend themselves. That case opened up more rights for gun owners nationwide and required New York to allow more rights for concealed carry holders. It also invalidated laws in other states seeking additional documentation on why gun owners seek to exercise their Second Amendment rights.

State Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) and others have argued that HB5855, which HB5859 is meant to enforce, is unconstitutional.

“This is Springfield and, rather than pursuing effective policies to benefit all Illinoisans, there are some people here who have made a career out of virtue-signaling and advocating for the passage of clearly unconstitutional laws,” Plummer said in a statement, quoted by the Metro East Sun. “Here we go again.” 

Many like-minded groups and individuals have vowed legal action to stop the gun control package should it pass as is projected in January.