Mussman Pushes for Ban on Military-Style Assault Weapons

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – Following the Las Vegas shooting that killed more than 50 people and injured hundreds, state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg is sponsoring legislation that would ban assault weapons in Illinois, as well as prohibit the sale of bump stock devices that can be used to modify semi-automatic rifles to shoot like automatic weapons.

“The massacre that unfolded in Las Vegas is an incompressible tragedy,” Mussman said. “In the wake of deadly shootings across our country in places like schools, movie theaters and churches, it is beyond time to act to protect the safety and security of our communities. This bill would make it illegal to obtain assault weapons and devices that enable the automatic firing of semi-automatic weapons, which the Las Vegas shooter used to increase his guns’ capability to kill.”

Mussman’s House Bill 4107 would ban military-style assault weapons and prohibit the modification of firearms in a manner that enables them to increase their output or performance, allowing for more rapid fire. Such weapons and trigger modification devices were not only used in the Las Vegas massacre that resulted in 58 dead and over 500 wounded, but have been used in numerous shootings across the United States, including 49 deaths in last year’s Orlando nightclub shooting, 16 deaths in the 2015 San Bernardino terrorist attack, and 26 deaths, including 20 children, in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.

“At what point are we going to ask how many lives are worth losing before we put an end to this?” Mussman said. “I am sponsoring this measure to help prevent further violence because families deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods, at school and in public places.”