The Politics of Gun Control: Debating Illinois’ Assault Weapons Ban |…

Since the mass shooting at last year’s Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois has moved swiftly on gun control measures.

The most controversial has been the ban on so-called assault weapons.

Immediately after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Protect Illinois Communities Act in January, gun rights advocates began filing lawsuits.

The Illinois State Rifle Association challenged the ban one week after the new law went into effect, joining the Second Amendment Foundation in a lawsuit.

“Governor Pritzker signed into law a draconian bill that squashes the rights of 2.4 million-plus law-abiding firearm owners in Illinois,” ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson said in a statement at the time. “The clock is ticking as the law-abiding gun owners come ever closer to being criminals. Each day our freedom is being diminished.”

Coming to the gun debate from a vastly different perspective is Lake County Board member Sara Knizhnik.

“I’ve been fortunate not to have personal…