As of Tuesday evening, the sale of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines has been banned in Illinois. Those who own such guns have until July 1 to register them with police under a bill passed by the Illinois legislature and signed into law by the state’s Democratic Governor JB Pritzker.
“I’m grateful that people have cared enough about this issue to address it now,” said the governor moments after signing the text. “This will save lives,” he added, referring in particular to the July 4 killings in Highland Park, a suburb of Chicago.
That day, armed with a legally purchased AR-15, a gunman killed seven people and injured more than 48 others in a traditional United States National Day parade.
Nine US states, in addition to the District of Columbia, now prohibit the sale or possession of military-style assault weapons.
(Photo Getty Images)