The sweeping new firearms restrictions that law-abiding citizens must endure are not going unchallenged. The semiautomatic firearm and magazine ban has gone through multiple courts and now resides in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
And part of the current law extends beyond the Second Amendment.
The ban on semiautomatic guns and magazines prevents new purchases and transfers of these items, but it goes further. It also includes a mandatory self-registry beginning in October where current owners must notify the state of the items fitting the nebulous “assault weapon” category they possess.
The deadline for Illinois residents to register their weapons and magazines is Jan. 1, 2024.
Not only are new sales prohibited, but the state now requires that a person who owns guns and magazines that previously were perfectly legal register them with the government. In other words, turn yourself in.
The issue of self-incrimination looms large over the challenges. Attorney Thomas Maag is in the process of filing materials against the Illinois law in coming weeks. He noted the expanding constitutional issue with the ban and registration.
“We are actually working on a motion on the Fifth Amendment argument as we speak. Frankly, we’re really concerned when this whole registration period starts if it’s not previously enjoined, that, with the vagueness, with a whole host of issues, people would be incriminating themselves.”
The hope is that through successful legal action gun owners will not be forced to incriminate themselves and thus face consequences from law enforcement. Indeed, Illinois is making a strong push toward becoming the least individual rights friendly state in the nation.
