State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) announced on May 21 his opposition to several pending gun control bills in Springfield as the legislative session approaches its scheduled adjournment. Severin said he plans to vote against any new restrictions on Second Amendment rights and laws affecting law-abiding citizens.
The debate over gun rights has intensified this year, with multiple pieces of legislation moving through the process. Severin said, “House Democrats keep attacking Second Amendment rights in Illinois. This has been an ongoing battle this year as Dems propose bill after bill to punish law-abiding gun owners. I will continue to stand against any measures that infringe on the Second Amendment in our state.”
Among the measures is HB 4471, a proposal to ban future sales of Glock-style semi-automatic handguns, which recently passed out of committee. Severin confirmed he will vote no on this measure, as well as oppose ammunition taxes under HB 4414 and additional regulations targeting legal gun owners.
Severin also addressed his opposition to HB 3320, known as the RIFL Act. “The RIFL Act is being presented as a tool to address gun violence, but it places new burdens on law-abiding citizens rather than focusing on the individuals who are actually committing violent crimes,” Severin said.
Severin was elected in 2023 to represent Illinois’ 116th House District, replacing previous state representative David Friess, according to Ballotpedia.
As legislative discussions continue ahead of adjournment, Severin’s stance signals continued partisan divisions over how best to address firearm policy in Illinois.
