Rep. Lakesia Collins Responds to Illinois Supreme Court Upholding Assault Weapons Ban

CHICAGO – State Rep. Lakesia Collins, D-Chicago, issued the following response to the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision that the assault weapons ban passed earlier this year is constitutional:

“The Illinois Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Protect Illinois Communities Act is a victory for public safety advocates in communities across our state. Getting weapons of war off of our streets is a vital step in stemming the tide of harm and tragedy caused by the gun violence epidemic.

“Gun violence looms over every Illinois community, from North Lawndale to Highland Park, from Aurora to Loves Park. Assault weapons, extended magazines, and rapid-fire modifications are the grim common denominators. This effort to get these weapons of war off our streets is not only appropriate, but necessary.  

“This is far from the last step we need to take to end the gun violence epidemic in Illinois. Now the work begins on new measures to continue to improve the situation. It will take time, but with sustained, collective efforts like what we have seen with the Protect Illinois Commuities Act, someday soon we can make gun deaths a relic of the past.”