State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) fought legislation this week that would have turned law-abiding citizens into felons just for possessing common firearm modification equipment.
“This legislation was overly broad and vague,” said Rep. Halbrook. “It’s another example of a poorly and hastily drafted bill trying to take advantage of a tragic event that would make good people into criminals. I am happy to be a part of the defeat of this bad legislation!”
The broad scope of House Bill 4117 would have required a FOID (Firearms Owner ID) card for the purchase of certain common chemical items and outlawed the sale or possession of many basic trigger modification devices. Outlawing so many common trigger modification devices would turned law-abiding citizens across Illinois into felons because some of the most commonly owned firearms frequently use trigger modifications to improve accuracy and safety. Halbrook joined many other members of the House expressing serious concerns about these, and other, aspects of the legislation.
Illinois already has the 4th most restrictive gun laws in the US, according to the Cato Institute and 60% of the guns used to commit crimes in Chicago from 2009 – 2013 originated OUTSIDE of Illinois.