Laura Hois, a former attorney from Downers Grove, is challenging Democratic State Rep. Anne Stava in the race for House District 81, focusing a part of her campaign on opposition to a bill that would require all bullets sold or manufactured in Illinois to be serialized.
“Anne Stava’s-sponsored ammunition tax bill is another attack on Second Amendment rights,” Hois told the DuPage Policy Journal.
Stava proposed House Bill 4414, which would require all bullets manufactured or sold in Illinois to be serialized by Jan. 1, 2027. The bill was scheduled for a hearing on March 26, 2026, but the Criminal Judiciary Committee took no action.
The bill would require each bullet to carry a unique serial number linked to the buyer, with records of every sale maintained, allowing authorities to trace ammunition to individual gun owners. It would also impose a tax of up to 5 cents per bullet and make using un-serialized ammunition a misdemeanor.
“This proposed legislation would hurt responsible hunters and firearms owners,” Hois said. “The bill, if passed, would require Illinois firearms owners to pay a tax per round of ammunition or bullet. Each round of ammunition would have to be registered with a serial number, making the rounds more expensive.”
Hois said the bill represents government overreach that could affect ordinary citizens while failing to deter criminals.
“Stava claims to want to remove dangerous guns off the streets, but what she truly wants is to enable the state to take away our Second Amendment rights,” she said.
State Rep. Anne Stava (D-Downers Grove) is facing criticism from GOP challenger Laura Hois over her proposed bill requiring all Illinois bullets to be serialized and taxed. (Facebook / Anne Stava)
Hois also argued the bill punishes responsible gun owners while doing little to prevent crime.
“How does this make sense?” Hois said. “The single mom who lives in Illinois with her young daughter, and owns a small pistol to protect herself and her child if her home is broken into, would be forced to pay the serialized bullet tax, have her name recorded as an ammo purchaser in a state registry, and be subject to criminal penalties. But the criminal who invades her home with a stolen gun and non-serialized ammo would not be affected, would face no consequences, and would be arrested and released back onto the streets under the unsafe Safe-T Act to re-commit the same crime.”
While the bill failed to advance when it went to committee in March, opponents are reportedly anticipating its return.
Before the committee hearing, Hois used social media to mobilize opposition.
She urged Illinois voters to act quickly against HB 4414, stressing the deadline and encouraging opponents to file witness slips. On Facebook, she wrote that voters had “one more day” to submit slips by March 23, 2026, and included a link for participation.
During the March 26 committee hearing, Hois noted that more than 4,000 witness slips had been filed in opposition to the bill and said it “violates law-abiding gun owner’s 2nd Amendment rights.” She also thanked supporters for joining the fight against “unconstitutional laws.”
By March 27, Hois reported that the committee had not taken action on HB 4414.
“The Criminal Committee did not take any action at the March 26 2pm hearing re: HB4414,” Hois said on Facebook. “5,157 Witness Slips had been filed in opposition to this 2nd Amendment right-killing proposal to serialize bullets, impose 5 cent tax per bullet, transaction records and penalties for non-compliance.”
“Only 37 Proponents supported it.”
“Let’s be vigilant – if HB4414 is brought up again for hearing we’ll need you on board to oppose it.”
“Thank you for raising your voice.”
Hois narrowly lost to Stava in 2020 with 47.4% of the vote.
Her rematch for the Nov. 3, 2026, general election for House District 81 has focused on contrasting herself with Stava and highlighting proposed HB 3355, which would make temporary, COVID-era 2020 changes to the Illinois Election Code permanent.
In late March, Awake Illinois endorsed Hois in the House District 81 race, citing her opposition to Stava’s proposed handgun ammunition serialization bill.
Hois has described Stava as a “radical” lawmaker whose progressive agenda undermines parental rights, free speech, and traditional family values.
The 81st House District spans parts of DuPage, including portions of Downers Grove, Lisle, Naperville, Woodridge, Darien and Westmont.
