Press Releases

COALITION SOLIDIFIES IN OPPOSITION TO NEW ILLINOIS GUN BAN

January 17, 2023

CONTACT: Mandi Sano (630) 464-1300

Web Site: ilgra.org

YORKVILLE, IL - - The following was released today by Illinois Gun Rights Alliance.

A coalition representing sporting and self-defense interests from across the state is coming together in an effort to put the brakes on Illinois’ recently enacted gun ban.  The new law bans the manufacture, sale, and possession of a wide variety of popular firearms and accessories.   Coalition members feel that the new law unduly burdens lawful firearm owners and levies a restraint of trade on Illinois’ thriving small arms industry.

“All people of good will certainly want to see an end to criminal violence,” said coalition spokesman Mandi Sano.  “But expecting lawful citizens to pay penance for the misdeeds of others is not the solution.  This new law is divisive, unenforceable, and offers dubious efficacy as a crime-fighting tool.  The coalition plans a vigorous legal challenge to this dangerous infringement on the rights of the lawful citizen.  When all is said and done, we hope to steer the legislature’s focus back to the true cause of violent crime – the unbridled thug.”

“Illinois has become the latest state where a simple legislative majority has jammed outright tyranny down the throats of their citizens,” said Erich Pratt Senior Vice President, Gun Owners of America. “This unconstitutional ban has drawn the ire of sheriffs and states attorneys across the state, with many pledging to simply not even enforce the law. GOA and GOF are excited to get involved in this case, and we look forward to forcing the anti-gunners, many of whom are from Chicago, to bend the knee to the Bruen decision.”

About the coalition.

Interest in the coalition is growing by the day as the impact of the new law becomes more widely understood.  The core of the coalition currently consists of:

Federal Firearms Licensees of Illinois (FFL-IL)

Aurora Sportsmen's Club (ASC), POC - Eric Callis

Guns Save Life (GSL)

Gun Owners of America (GOA)

State Line Rifle Association (SLRA)

The coalition’s legal team is currently being assembled and consists of:

Chuck Michel, Michel & Associates.  Chuck has over 25 years of successful litigation experience related to Second Amendment issues – most notably in California.

Mark Shaw and Mike Danforth.  Messrs. Shaw and Danforth are local counsel possessing a combined half-century’s worth of experience in litigating firearms law.

“Nobody should doubt the resolve of the coalition and its supporters,” commented spokesman Mandi Sano.  Our intention is to right this wrong in favor of the good people of Illinois.”