SPRINGFIELD – State Representative Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) issued the following statement after voting NO on Senate Bill 8 and House Bill 850 late Wednesday evening. The House Republican Floor Leader cited serious constitutional concerns for the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
“Senate Bill 8 is an overreaching and constitutionally dubious attempt by the majority party to further restrict the Second Amendment rights of responsible Illinois citizens,” said Windhorst. “This bill creates excessive and confusing firearm storage mandates, subjects law-abiding gun owners to stiff civil penalties, and places them at risk of prosecution for simply exercising their right to self-defense.”
SB 8, also known as the Safe Gun Storage Act, imposes new mandates requiring gun owners to store firearms in locked containers when in the presence of minors, prohibited persons, or so-called “at-risk” individuals. Rep. Windhorst noted that the bill is riddled with conflicting provisions and creates legal uncertainty for hunters, target shooters, and youth shooting clubs.
“Democrats have pushed a law that is not only unworkable but also invites legal challenges by contradicting recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings affirming individual gun rights,” Windhorst continued. “This bill effectively criminalizes responsible gun ownership and punishes the very people who are already taking the right steps to safely store their firearms.”
Additionally, SB 8 requires gun owners to report stolen firearms within 48 hours or face civil penalties, despite most gun owners already acting responsibly and taking such steps voluntarily. Windhorst also raised alarms about a provision that gives greater Second Amendment rights to non-residents transporting firearms through Illinois than to state residents themselves.
Rep. Windhorst also voted against an amended HB 850. The bill makes changes to Illinois’ Clear and Present Danger statute in a way Windhorst says strips due process protections and will lead to further constitutional violations.
“HB 850 was rushed to the House Floor without a public Committee hearing. The bill is an attempt by Illinois Democrats to provide legal cover for unconstitutional firearm policies,” Windhorst stated. “It allows the state to revoke FOID cards without a formal hearing or adequate opportunity for the individual to contest the accusation, violating both Second Amendment rights and due process.”
Rep. Windhorst consistently advocates for the rights of law-abiding citizens by voting against unconstitutional attempts to erode Second Amendment freedoms.
###