SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Second Amendment supporters traveled to the state capitol building Wednesday to lobby for gun rights.
The gun rights activists led by the Illinois State Rifle Association talked to lawmakers on both sides. House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) said to rallygoers that less guns won't make communities safer.
"It is a foundational freedom and it deserves to be protected with the same urgency as every other constitutional right," McCombie said.
New laws signed by the Pritzker administration were criticized by rally leaders. They condemned the newly signed Karina's law, which protects domestic violence survivors by taking guns away from their abusers.
The gun rights activists also aimed their sights at a bill that is yet to pass both chambers. SB8 would require all firearms to be securely stored in a locked container when in the presence of a minor or at risk person.
While the proposal has passed the Senate, it is currently delayed after a subject matter hearing last week. Ed Sullivan with the Illinois State Rifle Association said the Democrats could be scared to pass it.
"They're taking notice that we're going to sue them," Sullivan said.
At the rally was a guest speaker Dave Grossman, an author and former Lt. Colonel. Grossman said it's important Illinoisans don't give up on their Second Amendment right.
"If we love our children, if we love our grandchildren, if we love God, if we love our nation, we'll fight," Grossman said. "I'm 68 years old and my prayer is that I can do this for another 20 years."
Since there is a Democrat super majority, lawmakers could pass the safe gun storage bill while ignoring gun rights activists and GOP members concerns.
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