By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – A high-ranking state official – who says he is a two-time survivor of gun violence – is in favor of outlawing assault weapons in Illinois.

“Everyone is working together, trying to make things better,” said Chris Patterson, assistant secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services, “but, because of the accessibility of high-powered weapons and magazines that allow killers to mow down thirteen women and children and one man on Halloween night in East Garfield Park, more than fifty people in Highland Park (on July 4), oftentimes communities are blamed and shamed when these incidents happen. But we’re seeing over and over, because of the Reimagine Public Safety Act and other initiatives, communities are coming together and putting their best foot forward.”

An Illinois House committee Thursday held the second of three hearings into a proposed ban on assault weapons. The bill is expected to be debated during the legislature’s lame duck session the first week of January. The bill also features, among other things, an increase in the minimum age to get a Firearm Owners’ ID card from 18 to 21.

The bill is a bad one, says House Minority Leader-elect Tony McCombie (R-Savanna). 

“This legislation is not going to address the root causes of gun violence,” she said. “It will ultimately leave our neighborhoods, our communities and women across Illinois vulnerable to be unprotected and unfortunately victimized.”

She added the bill would be ineffective and unconstitutional, should it become law, and would take guns away from law-abiding citizens such as herself.

The July 4 parade massacre at Highland Park, which killed seven and wounded 48 more, increased lawmakers’ interest in passing a bill this winter.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].