Assault Rifles Circulating in The United States
There are certain states in the U.S. that allow people to purchase guns of this caliber without much form of identification or background check. This can be incredibly devastating, as these weapons should not be available to the average person. These are incredibly high-grade weapons that should only be available to the military, and in some occasions, the police.
There has been a massive string of mass shootings with these weapons, and bans are becoming necessary to prevent them. Although completely banning assault rifles will not stop mass shootings, it will surely reduce the amount in which they happen. If this slowed down, this would surely be beneficial for the United States as a whole.
Ban Halted after Judge McGlynn Makes His Ruling
It seems that after an assault weapon ban was created, Judge McGlynn wants to halt this ban. “U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn, based in southern Illinois, temporarily blocked enforcement of the assault weapons ban last Friday, saying it not only restricted the right to defend oneself but, in some cases, “completely obliterated that right,” stated ABC 7 News. Many representatives of the state and lawyers of the state contested this. They said this “threatens significant, irreparable harm to the public,” according to ABC 7. Many citizens of Illinois are especially against this ruling made by McGlynn, as this may lead to more tragedies.
Illinois Council and Assault Rifles
Illinois recently had a terrible tragedy that took place on the 4th of July in 2022. There was a mass shooting that had left seven people dead, and the person that committed this had an assault rifle. This is one of the many main reasons as to why there is a ban that will continue despite certain allegations from business owners, as well as statements made by Judges such as McGlynn.
“A federal appeals court Tuesday ruled to keep an Illinois state-wide ‘assault weapons’ ban in effect, denying a request from a business owner who claims the ban is unconstitutional,” according to Fox News. This ban can certainly have negative and positive aspects, but it seems that this decision will be final.
This ruling brings a huge sigh of relief to the people of Illinois. This will greatly reduce the possibility of another mass tragedy taking place, such as in Highland Park. There is hope that this ban does not only last a short amount of time. If not, this can certainly be the change that Illinois needs.
Firearms That Are Now Banned
There is a list that was created when this ban was originally brought about. “The new law bans the sale and manufacture of a long list of firearms defined as ‘assault weapons,’ assault weapon attachments, .50-caliber rifles and .50-caliber cartridges, as well as large-capacity magazines,” according to St. Louis Public Radio. As these will be the primary targets of this ban, this will make them much less available to the public.
“The law allows people who already own such items to keep them, but it restricts their ability to sell or transfer them to someone else,” added St. Louis Public Radio. This way, the firearms will not be moving around the state and will be restricted to the owner of such weapons. Legal consequences may come if this law is not abided by.
Future of Firearms, and Crime Associated With Assault Rifles
There is a hope that with this ban, mass shootings could not occur as much in Illinois as before. Although they, unfortunately, cannot be stopped, and crime will never cease to exist, it will certainly decrease. There is also hope that a ban of this nature can be carried out in other states in the U.S.
Written by David Loran Jr
Sources:
ABC 7 News: Illinois assault weapons ban back in effect after ruling by federal appeals judge in Chicago
Fox News: Illinois assault weapons ban still in effect after appeals court denies injunction
St. Louis Public Radio: Illinois Supreme Court grants expedited appeal in assault weapons ban case
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Stephen Melkisethian’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Todd Martin’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
