HILLSIDE, Ill. – In the wake of the nation’s deadliest acts of domestic terrorism, that left almost 60 people dead and over 500 wounded, state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, is calling for the passage of gun safety reforms that would oversee the sale of high-powered weapons and ban military-style assault rifles.

“It is devastating every time we learn about a new mass casualty event in the news,” Welch said. “Too often the weapons that are used in these tragedies are purchased legally through loopholes in our gun laws. While we can’t get members of Congress and President Trump to stop this at a federal level, we must stop the sale of dangerous firearms in Illinois.”

Welch is a sponsor of House Bill 4107, which would ban military-style assault weapons like those used in the mass shooting in Las Vegas. His measure also bans “bump stock” modifications that the Las Vegas shooter used to turn his semi-automatic rifle into an automatic weapon capable of firing up to 800 bullets per minute. Military-style assault weapons were not only used in the Las Vegas shooting, but have been used in numerous shootings across the United States, including last year’s Orlando nightclub shooting, the 2015 San Bernardino terrorist attack, and the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.

Welch is also highlighting additional legislation that he supports to make it harder for people to purchase guns. Senate Bill 1657 would require any entity that engages in the selling, leasing and transferring of firearms to be licensed with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Responsibility (IDFPR). If entities or dealers fail to register or refuse to do so, the bill details appropriate repercussions on them. Welch believes this measure will promote safer and responsible sales of firearms and provide a barrier for those who seek to illegally obtain and sell guns.

“Senseless attacks can occur anywhere. In Illinois, we have an opportunity to lead the charge and pass statewide reforms that will help keep our communities safe,” Welch said. “I urge all of my colleagues to have an honest and frank discussion about what we can do to protect our fellow citizens without the gun lobby getting in the way. We can and must do better.”

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.”

CHICAGO – Following the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas, state Rep. Jamie Andrade, D-Chicago, is sponsoring legislation that would ban assault weapons and gun modifications that can make a rifle fully-automatic.

“Enough is enough, the time to act on these issues was yesterday,” Andrade said. “After every tragic mass shooting we are told by groups like the NRA that the issue shouldn’t be politicized—this is not a political issue it’s about saving human life.”

Andrade is sponsoring House Bill 4107, which bans military-style assault weapons like those used in the mass shooting in Las Vegas. His measure also bans “bump stock” modifications that the Las Vegas shooter used to turn his semi-automatic rifle into an automatic weapon capable of firing up to 800 bullets per minute.

Military-style assault weapons 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.

“The sole purpose of an assault rifle is to take human life,” Andrade said. “We cannot afford to wait any longer while Washington politicians fail to enact meaningful gun laws to protect our community.”