Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Freedom Caucus is expressing dismay over the low compliance rate with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s gun registration law, asserting that only 0.63% of gun owners adhered to the radical legislation. As the Jan. 1 deadline for registering over 170 types of commonly owned firearms passed under the Protect Illinois Communities Act, the caucus urged citizens to ensure their local officials would protect them from what they deemed a state attack on gun owners, warning that hundreds of thousands of legal gun owners could now be considered criminals according to the Democrats.

“A whopping .63% (yes, just over half of 1 percent) of gun owners are in compliance with Pritzker’s radical gun registration law,” the Illinois Freedom Caucus said on Facebook. “Make sure your local officials are going to protect you from the State’s attack on gun owners!”

“January 1st, hundreds of thousands of legal gun owners could be considered criminals according to the Democrats!”

According to WTTW, advocates for gun rights express concerns about data privacy and potential legal challenges to the Second Amendment tied to their opposition to firearm registration. The General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) has faced criticism for delays in finalizing registry rules, causing uncertainty for firearm owners regarding compliance with the 2023 law. JCAR has implemented temporary rules until Febr. 11, drawing further criticism and concern from the gun-owning community. The caucus criticizes JCAR for postponing decisions on proposed rules while over 6,000 people have filed affidavits for guns, accessories, and ammunition disclosures.

Meanwhile, former state senator and GOP candidate Darren Bailey, who is contesting for Illinois’ 12th Congressional District seat, publicly declared his refusal to comply with the Protect Illinois Communities Act according to SE Illinois News. A vocal opponent of gun control, Bailey posted a provocative photo displaying his guns and challenged Pritzker to personally enforce the controversial legislation. The comments from the Illinois Freedom Caucus and Bailey’s defiance underscore the deep divisions and concerns surrounding the contentious gun registration law in the state.

The Illinois Freedom Caucus includes State Representatives Chris Miller (R-Oakland), David Friess (R-Red Bud), Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich), Jed Davis (R-Newark), Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville), Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) and Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur). According to the organization’s website, the Illinois Freedom Caucus was established in response to the unprecedented growth and authority of the federal government. The pervasive administrative state, comprised of unelected bureaucrats, has significantly influenced and overpowered state legislatures, consolidating central authority. Upholding the principles outlined in the 10th Amendment has become more crucial than ever in addressing these concerns.