Understanding the New 2023 Protect Illinois Communities Act Regulation on “Assault Weapons”

Published October 3, 2023 | Category: Cash For Guns, Firearm Information, Gun Laws, Gun Laws 2023, How to Sell a Gun, Legal, News, Quick Sell a Gun, Sell Shotguns, Sell Unwanted Guns, Sell Used Guns, Sell Your Gun, Sell Your Guns

When it comes to gun control and legislation, understanding the intricacies can often be overwhelming. The legal landscape in the state of Illinois around “assault weapons” has once again changed. Dunlap Gun Buyers breaks down what this new regulation means for gun owners who reside within the state.

What is the “Protect Illinois Communities Act”

The new regulation revolves around the manufacture, possession, delivery, sale and purchase of certain types of weapons and ammunition. Specifically, the new state law governs the ownership and use of “assault weapons” and components/accessories of those firearms .50 caliber rifles and .50 caliber ammunition.

Defining “Assault Weapons”

The legislation delves deeply into defining what constitutes an “assault weapon”. The definition is extensive and covers a variety of firearms based on features, capacities, modifications and specific models. The newly banned firearm features and magazine capacities for firearms include the following characteristics:

  • Semi-automatic rifles with a capacity to accept detachable magazines and possess features like pistol grips, telescoping stocks, flash suppressors and more.
  • Semi-automatic rifles with fixed magazines that can accept more than 10 rounds (except certain devices compatible only with .22 caliber rimfire ammunition).
  • Semi-automatic pistols with features like threaded barrels, shrouds, flash suppressors, Magazine capacities and the ability to accept magazines outside of the pistol grip.
  • Semi-automatic shotguns with features such as pistol grips, fixed magazines with a capacity of more than 5 rounds, and the capacity to accept detachable magazines.
  • Firearms that can accept belt ammunition feeding devices and those modified to function as assault weapons.

Specific Regulated Manufactures and Models:
The legislation lists specific models of rifles, pistols, and shotguns that fall under the “assault weapon” category. This includes various types and models from brands like AK and AR type of firearms. Below is the specific makes and models that are required to be registered or no longer able to purchase:

  • AK, AK47, AK47S, AK–74, AKM, AKS, ARM, MAK90, MISR, NHM90, NHM91, SA85, SA93, Vector Arms, AK–47, VEPR, WASR–10, WUM, IZHMASH Saiga, MAADI AK47 and ARM, Norinco 56S, 56S2, 84S, 86S, Poly Technologies AK47 and AKS.
  • SKS with a detachable magazine.
  • All AR types, including  but not limited to the following: AR–10, AR–15, Alexander Arms Overmatch Plus 16, Armalite M15 22LR Carbine, Armalite M15–T, Barrett REC7, Beretta AR–70, Black Rain Ordnance Recon Scout, Bushmaster ACR, Bushmaster Carbon 15, Bushmaster MOE series, Bushmaster XM15, Chiappa Firearms MFour rifles, Colt Match Target rifles, CORE Rifle Systems, CORE15 rifles, Daniel Defense M4A1 rifles, Devil Dog Arms 15 Series rifles, Diamondback DB15 rifles, DoubleStar AR rifles, DPMS Tactical rifles, DSA Inc. ZM–4 Carbine, Heckler & Koch MR556, High Standard HSA–15 rifles, Jesse James Nomad AR–15 rifle, Knight’s Armament SR–15, Lancer L15 rifles, MGI Hydra Series rifles, Mossberg MMR Tactical rifles, Noreen Firearms BN 36 rifle, Olympic Arms, POF USA P415, Precision Firearms AR rifles, Remington R–15 rifles, Rhino Arms AR rifles, Rock River Arms LAR–15 or Rock River Arms LAR–47, Sig Sauer SIG516 rifles and MCX
    rifles, Smith & Wesson M&P15 rifles, Stag Arms AR rifles, Sturm, Ruger & Co. SR556 and AR–556
    rifles, Uselton Arms Air-Lite M–4 rifles, Windham Weaponry AR rifles, WMD Guns Big Beast, Yankee Hill Machine Company, Inc, YHM–15 rifles, American Spirit AR–15 pistol, Bushmaster Carbon 15 pistol, Chiappa Firearms M4 Pistol GEN II, CORE Rifle Systems CORE15 Roscoe pistol., Daniel Defense MK18 pistol, DoubleStar Corporation AR pistol, DPMS AR–15 pistol, Jesse James, Nomad AR–15 pistol, Olympic Arms AR–15 pistol, Osprey Armament MK–18 pistol, POF USA AR pistols, Rock River Arms LAR 15 pistol, Uselton Arms Air-Lite M–4 pistol.
  • Barrett M107A1, Barrett M82A1.
  • Beretta CX4 Storm.
  • Calico Liberty Series.
  • CETME Sporter.
  • Daewoo K–1, K–2, Max 1, Max 2, AR 100, and AR 110C.
  • Fabrique Nationale/FN Herstal FAL, LAR, 22 FNC, 308 Match, L1A1 Sporter, PS90, SCAR, and FS2000.
  • Feather Industries AT–9.
  • Galil Model AR and Model ARM.
  • Hi-Point Carbine.
  • HK–91, HK–93, HK–94, HK–PSG–1, and HK USC.
  • IWI TAVOR, Galil ACE rifle.
  • Kel-Tec Sub-2000, SU–16, and RFB.
  • SIG AMT, SIG PE–57, Sig Sauer SG 550, Sig Sauer SG 551, and SIG MCX.
  • Springfield Armory SAR–48.
  • Steyr AUG.
  • Sturm, Ruger & Co. Mini-14 Tactical Rifle M–14/20CF.
  • All Thompson rifles, including the following: Thompson M1SB, Thompson T1100D, Thompson T150D, Thompson T1B, Thompson T1B100D, Thompson T1B50D, Thompson T1BSB, Thompson T1–C, Thompson T1D, Thompson T1SB, Thompson T5, Thompson T5100D, Thompson TM1, Thompson TM1C, Thompson TA510D, Thompson TA5.
  • UMAREX UZI rifle.
  • UZI Mini Carbine, UZI Model A Carbine, and UZI Model B Carbine.
  • Valmet M62S, M71S, and M78.
  • Vector Arms UZI Type.
  • Weaver Arms Nighthawk.
  • Wilkinson Arms Linda Carbine.
  • Centurion 39 AK pistol.
  • CZ Scorpion pistol.
  • Draco AK–47 pistol.
  • HCR AK–47 pistol.
  • IO Inc. Hellpup AK–47 pistol.
  • Krinkov pistol.
  • Mini Draco AK–47 pistol.
  • PAP M92 pistol.
  • Yugo Krebs Krink pistol.
  • Calico pistols.
  • DSA SA58 PKP FAL pistol.
  • Encom MP–9 and MP–45.
  • Heckler & Koch model SP–89 pistol.
  • Intratec AB–10, TEC–22 Scorpion, TEC–9, and
  • TEC–DC9.
  • IWI Galil Ace pistol, UZI PRO pistol.
  • Kel-Tec PLR 16 pistol.
  • All MAC types, including the following: MAC–10, MAC–11, Masterpiece Arms MPA A930 Mini Pistol, MPA460 Pistol, MPA Tactical Pistol, and MPA Mini Tactical Pistol, Military Armament Corp. Ingram M–11, Velocity Arms VMAC.
  • Sig Sauer P556 pistol.
  • Sites Spectre.
  • All UZI types, including Micro-UZI.
  • DERYA Anakon MC–1980, Anakon SD12.
  • Doruk Lethal shotguns.
  • Franchi LAW–12 and SPAS 12.
  • All IZHMASH Saiga 12 types, including the following: IZHMASH Saiga 12, IZHMASH Saiga 12S, IZHMASH Saiga 12S EXP–01, IZHMASH Saiga 12K, IZHMASH Saiga 12K–030, IZHMASH Saiga 12K–040 Taktika.
  • Streetsweeper.
  • Striker 12.

What is the Implication for Gun Owners in Illinois?

For gun enthusiasts, understanding these definitions is vital. Owning, selling, or purchasing any weapon that now falls under this definition without the appropriate permissions can lead to legal consequences. While the law is intended to enhance public safety by regulating more powerful and potentially dangerous weapons, it also means that individuals must be more informed and cautious about the firearms they handle under the newly implemented state law.

Federal Firearms Licensed dealers can still transfer prohibited firearms to out of state FFLs. FFL dealers can still transfer firearms where the transaction was started prior to January 10, 2023 as long as the background was initiated with the Illinois State Police on or prior to January 10, 2023. Only the sale or transfer of an AR or assault weapon with a background initiated with the Illinois State Police on or before January 10, 2023 is allowed to be completed.

How to Register an Assault Weapon in Illinois?

An Illinois resident may keep any AR 15 or assault weapon that has been defined as an assault weapon under the new law if the firearm was owned prior to effective date of the law and registered between October 1, 2023 and January 1, 2024. In the coming months, more detailed information will be made available on how to register the firearm. The endorsement affidavit was made available October 1, 2023 and must be signed under oath and submitted to the ISP prior to January 1, 2024. There are no registration fees for those who wish to keep and register their newly prohibited firearm.

Illinois residents cannot purchase an AR 15 or “assault weapons” beginning January 11, 2023 unless subject to one of the narrow exemptions listed in section 720 ILCS 5/24-1.9(e) After October 1, 2023 the owner must complete the endorsement affidavit and submit it to the ISP, then beginning January 1, 2024, they may transfer the assault weapon to an heir, an individual residing in another state maintaining it in another state, or a federal firearms dealer.

The new regulations in Illinois signifies a renewed effort from law makers to regulate assault weapons for the interest of public safety. As with any legislation, there are supporters and opponents. Regardless of one’s stance, it’s essential to stay informed of the new law.

If you own one of these newly regulated firearms and are considering selling one, you can be compliant with both federal and state laws by selling with Dunlap Gun Buyers. We offer fair prices that reflect the current market and issue payments fast.

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