Illinois State Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy (D-14) introduced a bill on Feb. 5 that would require gun owners to register every gun they own. According to the bill, called the Firearms Registration Act (HB4715), this would not just apply to new purchases but Illinoisans would also need to register guns they already own.

The bill’s synopsis explains [emphasis added]:

“Creates the Firearms Registration Act. Provides that every person in the State must register each firearm he or she owns or possesses in accordance with the Act.”

The bill also takes aim at ammunition ownership and purchases. Illinois residents would have to show proof of firearm registration in order to buy

Kelly Cassidy. Photo Credit: Google.

ammunition [emphasis added]:

“Provides that a person shall not purchase or possess ammunition within this State without having first obtained a registration certificate identifying a firearm that is suitable for use with that ammunition, or a receipt demonstrating that the person has applied to register a suitable firearm under the Act and that the application is pending."

Failure to comply with the bill would be a Class 2 felony. The penalty for Class 2 felonies in Illinois is three to seven years imprisonment and not more than a $200,000 fine.

In order to own a gun in Illinois, residents already have to apply for and possess a state issued “Firearm Owner’s Identification Card” (FOID). Illinois also just became the last state in the union to pass a concealed carry law. Residents must have a FOID card before they can apply for a concealed carry permit.

Since the concealed carry law passed last summer, the Illinois State Police have been bogged down by FOID card applications and concealed carry applications and even though the law went in to effect in January, the first licenses aren’t expected to be issued until March or April of this year.

Feature Photo Image source: Shutterstock

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