SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Assault weapon owners in Illinois have until the end of the year to register their firearms and attachments with the Illinois State Police. Many Republican lawmakers and gun owners are concerned about the registration process and are demanding clarity from state police.

Anyone who owns assault weapons, assault weapon attachments, .50 caliber rifles and .50 caliber cartridges must register the weapons through their FOID card account by January 1. The Illinois State Police hope to help concerned gun owners understand the registration process by answering questions to the best of their ability during hearings over the next week.

However, the Illinois Freedom Caucus told representatives from the Illinois State Police Thursday that Democratic leaders should expect most gun owners across the state will ignore the law.

"Hundreds of thousands of people will absolutely not comply," said Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville). "It is up to the governor and the legislature to truly decide if they're prepared to declare war on law-abiding gun owners or not. One thing will be certain. This we will defend, the right to bear arms shall not be infringed."

Halbrook said data in the assault weapon registry should be destroyed if the Protect Illinois Communities Act is overturned by U.S. Supreme Court. Roughly a tenth of a percent of Illinois FOID card holders have registered assault weapons and attachments in the past month.

Illinois Freedom Caucus

Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) speaks next to Illinois Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Chris Miller (R-Hindsboro) during an Illinois State Police public hearing on November 2, 2023.

Many hunters are also frustrated that the emergency rule implementing the Protect Illinois Communities Act does not exempt firearms used for sporting.

"This violates the legislative intent that was expressed during debate," said Josh Witkowski with the Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources. "It was said during debate and during negotiations on this legislation that the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources were going to develop a list of firearms for sporting purposes that were supposed to be submitted."

The Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources said State Police should modify their list of firearms so hunters are assured they don't have to register those weapons. ISP Legal Counsel Suzanne Bond said they will work with IDNR to address that issue to properly implement the law. 

Meanwhile, some people are confused about whether or not federal firearms license holders are required to register assault weapons or attachments.

"There is no prohibition on businesses doing it," Bond explained. "So if a business owner would be more comfortable doing an endorsement affidavit, they are welcome to do so. Our interpretation is that the endorsement affidavit provisions were intended for people, not businesses." 

Others complained that they were blindsided by the law, even though there were multiple hearings about a potential ban on the weapons following the Highland Park mass shooting.

"Illinois' decision to enact the same type of poorly written reactionary gun ban as California will drive any gun owner out of the state who is able to leave," said concerned gun owner Greg Magnusson. "Illinois is surrounded by gun friendly states that would gladly receive patriotic taxpayers as new residents."

Illinois State Police will hold a public hearing in Chicago Friday morning and another hearing in Caseyville Monday morning. Officials are gatherings questions from the public and lawmakers over the next week to help them clarify information on the specific guns and attachments that need to be registered by the end of the year.

State police plan to have updated language for the emergency rule implementing the law next month. Yet, many gun owners hope the law is overturned in federal appeals court.

Assault weapon owners can find answers to frequently asked questions on the Illinois State Police website by clicking here. Anyone with questions not answered in the FAQs section or in need of help submitting the affidavit can email ISP.AskFOIDandCCL@illinois.gov or visit the FOID kiosk at the Illinois State Police Troop 6 office at 801 S. 7th Street in Springfield. 

ISP ask that people not bring their assault weapons, ammunition or accessories if you visit a FOID kiosk. 

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