Next Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 4 p.m. in room C1 of the Stratton Building, the House Judiciary – Criminal Committee is scheduled to hear three gun control measures and one pro-sportsmen bill, all of serious concern for hunters and shooters.
Pro-Sportsmen/Gun Owner Measure:
HB 1270 repeals the Firearm Owner Identification Card required to purchase a firearm.
Gun Control Measures:
HB 1057 requires all firearm ammunition to be purchased and transferred through a Federally Licensed Firearms dealer (FFL) and bans mail-order ammunition.
HB 1064 imposes an additional 3.75% tax on the purchase of firearms and firearm components. This new punitive tax will be deposited into a new fund, but no details are offered on how the monies will be spent or for what purpose. Once again, law-abiding gun owners are told they are the cause of violent crime and must pay for it.
HB 1305 creates a task force to review whether gun owners should be required to carry insurance to own and possess firearms. The task force shall report their findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2023. Although the task force requires two representatives from firearm advocacy groups to participate, we know what Governor Pritzker thinks of gun ownership, so it is safe to say that the task force recommendations will not protect law-abiding gun owners and their interests.
Please use our take action button to email the members of the committee urging them to support HB 1270 and oppose HB 1054, HB 1064, and HB1305.
Heads up: Sportsmen need to stay on their toes as there has been a bill introduced to prohibit predator management contests and competitions that offer cash or prizes for the capture or killing of fur-bearing animals.
HB 2900 prohibits fur-bearing animal management through wildlife contests, with limited exemptions and up to a $5,000 fine for violations. But we know the purpose of this legislation goes well beyond contests. HB 2900 is about undermining the effective management of fish and game populations by restricting the control of predator populations that when left unchecked, increase negative human-wildlife interactions, spread disease, and limit effective population control.
HB 2900 does not have a hearing date yet, but rest assured the Sportsmen’s Alliance is monitoring this bill and will inform you when action is needed.
Don’t forget to share this message with your family, friends, and fellow sportsmen urging them to also take action on these important issues.
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
