Prairie State Wire

The Illinois State Rifle Association is celebrating the return of lobbyist Chris Cox as the organization prepares to take its challenge to higher courts and possibly the U.S. Supreme Court.

“One refreshing note in the world of Second Amendment Rights is that Chris Cox, former head of the NRA-ILA, will soon be back in the fight,” ISRA said in a statement. "It was announced last week that the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA), has contracted Capitol 6 Advisors which Mr. Cox launched in 2019.  This means that firearm owners have regained 25 years of lobbying experience on Capitol Hill.  It could not have come at a better time. Thanks to the SAF and CCRKBA.”

ISRA noted that “The State of Illinois has filed their brief in the Harrel/Barnett et al v Raoul et al Lawsuits now before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals." The state's claims, according to ISRA are untrue. 

“The State claims AR15s are not in common use when in fact, statistics show they are the most commonly used firearms with 24.5 million of them in use. They also claim these firearms are not suitable for hunting, self-defense or other lawful purposes," the statement reads. "That is also untrue. They are the best firearm for self-defense. They are the best firearm for competitions. The last two coyotes I shot would disagree that they are not good for hunting. They won’t be able to testify, however. 

ISRA underscored that The State wants everyone to believe that AR15s "are commonly used in crimes when in fact they are only used in about 1.4% of crimes.” The group said they are ready to take the fight to the highest court. 

“In a few days our pro-gun attorneys will file our briefs," ISRA said. "The State will have a chance to reply, and then we will have oral arguments on June 29.  I believe it will take a few weeks for the court to render a decision. In any case, we will be moving on the Supreme Court of the United States.” 

Cox is President at Capitol 6 Advisors. He was Executive Director of NRA-ILA from April 2002 until July 2019. Prior to that, he was Deputy Director of the  of the National Rifle Association's Federal Affairs Division.

The case is likely heading to the U.S. Supreme Court. The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has consolidated most of the pending lawsuits against Illinois' ban on assault weapons and announced that oral arguments will begin on June 29, according to NBC Chicago. Supreme Court Justice, Amy Coney Barrett, is considering issuing a temporary hold on the legislation while the court challenges continue. Barrett is evaluating whether to issue a temporary stay on the case until the full court can assess its merits. The plaintiffs, including a gun store owner and the National Association for Gun Rights, have been seeking to overturn the ban.

The case is set to be heard just as Gov. J.B. Pritzker has sought to limit the lower courts in which plaintiffs can bring such legal challenges.

“The Democratic definition of efficient government in Illinois is now lawmaking without judicial review. Downstate courts are often the only place where progressive laws encounter any resistance. Mr. Pritzker has eliminated them by fiat,” the Wall Street Journal’s Editorial Board said.