Rock Island Today

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savannah) pressed Democrats during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on whether more gun control measures were going to be introduced. 

Several proponents, during a debate on the bill, have mentioned a broader package of legislation on gun regulation is needed, which initiated an inquiry from McCombie.

"Just a technical question,” McCombie said in the first hearing on HB5855. “First, I do want to say thank you for everybody that had the courage to speak today. I appreciate that. I can't imagine how hard that is to do, but I've heard now from a couple of the members that this is going to be... we're not done.. a package. Do you anticipate, Chair, that we will have a package of bills to look at, or is this the only bill that we're going to be seeing? Is this going to be delivered into a package? Are we anticipating a package?” 

House Judiciary Committee Chair state Rep. Justin Slaughter (D-Chicago) responded that based on his understanding, there are "several bills that are making this omnibus bill" and assumes that "there could be more than just this bill ... But as of right now we are primarily looking at House Bill 5855,” he added. 

The House Judiciary Committee will see further debates on the HB5855 in two more public hearings on Dec. 14 and 19. 

The comments were made during an initial Dec. 12 hearing that was mainly limited to proponents of the bill, including victims of gun violence and medical professionals treating gun violence victims. 

Organizations such as the Illinois Rifle Association have vowed legal action should HB5855 pass. Opponents say It would be the most restrictive gun law in the United States. 

McCombie previously called the bill unconstitutional. “While HB 5855 is likely far from in its final form, the constitutionality of the bill will certainly go before the courts,” McCombie told Prairie State Wire. 

HB5855 would make the possession of several types of firearms - critics have said over 100 different types of guns - and accessories illegal. 

According to the bill's synopsis, it “Makes it unlawful to manufacture, deliver, sell, or purchase or cause to be manufactured, delivered, sold, or purchased or cause to be possessed by another, an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge. Makes it unlawful for any person to knowingly possess an assault weapon, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge 300 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, except possession of weapons registered with the Illinois State Police in the time provided. Provides exemptions and penalties. Prohibits the manufacture, delivery, sale, purchase, or possession of large capacity ammunition feeding devices.”

Critics have noted that while proponents of the bill point to the Highland Park shooting - whose mayor spoke at the hearing - as a flashpoint for gun control, the alleged shooter Robert Crimo III was provided a gun permit by the Illinois State Police despite having red flags on his record for mental illness and instances of violence, which many are calling a failure of the Gov. J.B. Pritzker administration to enforce existing law. 

“Had the Pritzker administration done what they said they were going to do, which was to review and make sure laws already on the books were being implemented more effectively, the tragedy in Highland Park might never have occurred,” Sen. Donald DeWitte (R-St. Charles) said in a statement, according to The Pantagraph. Seven were killed and more than 48 wounded after a gunman opened fire on the Independence Day parade.