SPRINGFIELD – Building on her previous work to assist law enforcement in proactively addressing gun violence, State Senator Ann Gillespie voted to pass legislation from the Illinois Senate that bans the sale and manufacturing of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

“We have lost too many lives to gun violence and we must take proactive action to end this epidemic,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “Assault weapons are the weapons of choice for mass shooters, and they are too readily available for them to inflict acts of terror on innocent people. By banning the sale and distribution of these weapons in our state, we join eight other states in taking this preventative action. It’s time for Congress to follow the trend and take action nationwide.”

House Bill 5471 bans assault weapons and high-capacity magazines from being manufactured or sold in Illinois. The comprehensive gun safety package also places a ban on rapid-fire devices intended to make semiautomatic firearms fully automatic, and increases the duration of a Firearm Restraining Order from six months to up to one year. A Firearm Restraining Order allows the family of a gun owner or law enforcement to obtain a civil order temporarily removing the firearm and ammunition from people who pose a risk of harm to themselves or others.

Senator Gillespie passed a law last year that empowered partners in law enforcement to seek a Firearm Restraining Order. Her law also created a commission ensuring the proper implementation of the changes to the Firearm Restraining Order Act.

House Bill 5471 passed the Illinois Senate and awaits concurrence in the Illinois House.