State Representative and House Republican Floor Leader Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) serves as the House Republican ranking member on the House Judiciary Criminal Law and Gun Violence Prevention Committees. The 117th District State Representative says policies passed by Illinois Democrats have harmed the rights of law-abiding citizens to practice their Constitutional Rights.
“The people I represent take their responsibility to care for, store, and use their firearms very seriously. Sadly, that fact is often ignored as the supermajority in both chambers of this General Assembly have time and again passed legislation that erodes their Constitutional Right to Bear Arms,” Windhorst said. “I believe that Illinois law runs afoul of the US Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen Decision, which held that gun regulations must align with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. Illinois laws, such as the ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, likely fail this test. Laws that go beyond federal firearm restrictions make for a confusing patchwork of laws that stand in direct conflict with the US Constitution, and we are here today to defend Illinois citizens’ rights to lawfully abide by our Second Amendment and to defend your Right to Bear Arms.”
“Where I come from, defending the Second Amendment is not just about talking points, it’s about protecting our very way of life,” said Rep. Charlie Meier. “While Democrats push stricter laws on law-abiding citizens, they also support abolishing cash bail and push soft-on-crime policies that put repeat offenders back on our streets, endangering our families. Illinois Democrats are soft on crime, but tough on gun owners.”
Rep. Regan Deering spoke about the importance of advocacy, as hundreds of supporters of the Second Amendment rallied in Springfield during Illinois Gun Owner’s Lobby Day (IGOLD).
“To the advocates, House Republicans see you, support you, and will tirelessly defend you and your constitutional rights,” said Rep. Deering. “By continuing to come after constitutional rights, we are trekking down a treacherous path. The Democrats know this and yet continue to introduce legislation that deteriorates the remaining trust in our government and infringes on our rights. That is wrong. These anti-second amendment policies were introduced under the guise of safety, but make no mistake, they are really about controlling more and more of our lives. House Republicans will not stop defending your 2nd Amendment rights.”
