Dupage Policy Journal

Gun rights advocate Christina Vlahos Sussman is warning other gun owners to fight back against the passage of HB5855, the Protect Illinois Communities Act. 

Sussman, a Naperville-based interior designer, is urging the public to call their representatives, raise questions, and get answers about the measure. 

“Reminder to my Illinois gun owners: Today, the Illinois General Assembly convenes for the lame duck session. It is possible that they will consider legislation to disarm law-abiding Illinois residents. House Bill 5855 bans many commonly-owned firearms that are popular for self-defense, competition, and recreation,” Sussman said on Facebook. “HB 5855: Bans the sale and possession of semi-automatic, centerfire, magazine-fed rifles. This includes all AR/AK pattern rifles and pistols. HB 5855 also includes a provision requiring the registration of existing banned rifles.” 

Sussman went on to say that HB5855, “Bans magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition; Bans adults aged 18 to 20 years old from obtaining a state Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card; Bans .50 BMG rifles and ammunition; Expands the duration of the state's 'red flag' firearm restraining order by increasing it from 6 to 12 months; Severely restricts hunting for anyone under the age of 21.” 

“Find your IL legislators: elections.il.gov. Questions to ask your Representative: 1. Do you believe that the rights of the individual, as outlined in the U.S. Bill of Rights, restrict government from infringing upon our protected freedoms?" Sussman wrote. "2. What is your personal experience with firearms? Do you own now? Have you owned in the past? Are friends or family members firearm owners, or experienced with firearms? 3. What, in your words, is the specific intent of this 'Protect Illinois Communities Act' bill? How will you measure its effectiveness? 4. Illinois had all the tools it needed to stop the Highland Park mass shooting. What is your thinking on how HB-5855 will reduce crime in IL and your District? 5. Firearm registration is the step prior to confiscation. Do you intend to progress to firearm registration and confiscation? "

Sussman also urged gun owners to ask the following: "Communities of color are victimized by more crime than residents of white communities. Do you think this bill will help or hurt people of color, and how?; Why eliminate our most common citizen self-defense tools?; Have you calculated the probable loss of life if citizen self-defenses are effectively nullified with this bill, as criminals take advantage of citizens with weakened defenses, such as women, the elderly, and the disabled?; Since criminals don’t abide by the firearm laws, and there are 2.6 million FOID cardholders in IL, the end result of this bill is simply to make criminals out of law-abiding citizens. Does the Illinois Legislature really want 2 million more felons?; This law will be declared unconstitutional after a series of protracted legal challenges. Why subject Illinois taxpayers to this unnecessary expense?' She also asked the community to “Get together with as a group. Call together, or set up a meeting or Zoom call with your Representative!! Contact the ISRA if you need help.” 

The lame-duck session of the General Assembly began on Jan. 4. According to Rock Island Today. HB5855 is expected to be the top measure voted on during the session.

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savannah) said the bill is 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 outlaws several commonly owned types of firearms and magazines. As many as five million firearms and 10 million magazines in the state may be affected if the gun ban becomes law. Gun rights advocates have vowed to seek legal relief should the bill pass. A vote on the bill in the House is expected in the lame-duck session set to begin in early January. State Rep. Denyse Wang Stoneback (D-Skokie) who co-sponsored the measure is in her final days in the chamber after losing a primary battle earlier this year.